St. Pete’s earliest event is also one of its best and most popular. The 53rd Annual Sunrise Sale takes over downtown on Thursday, July 16, featuring fantastic deals at local shops, early opening hours at some of our favorite stores and restaurants, and an excuse to hop around downtown in your pajamas.
Beginning at 6:43 am, and continuing throughout the day, dozens of downtown shops and businesses will open early as they offer doorbuster sales and specials to early shoppers. The annual event sees downtown filled at dawn with yellow flags (that’s how you know where to go), bright balloons, and eager shoppers.
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Hosted by the Downtown Business Association, the blockbuster summer sale has been featured in the New York Times and is often referred to as “St. Petersburg’s Largest Pajama Party.” The event was originally created as a way to support local businesses during the slow summer months, and has since grown into a onesie-filled spectacle of sales and showcases.
Find great deals and big breakfasts at Sunrise Sale
It’s like Black Friday, but on Thursday in the Sunshine City. Shoppers are encouraged to wear their pajamas, and several participating businesses even offer additional specials and giveaways for those dressing for the occasion. And as it comes at breakfast and coffee time, many of the area restaurants will be open for Sunrise Sale specials, as well. Maps will be provided at participating businesses, and a full list can be found online.
Central Avenue and Beach Drive are the main thoroughfares for the Sunrise Sale, but the event stretches all over town, stretching as far south as the USF Bookstore, and all the way up to 4th Street North where more than half a dozen local favorites like Sunken Gardens, Old Northeast Jewelers and Reno Beach Surf Shop will be joining the fun.
And be sure to save room for breakfast. Some of our favorite spots will be open for coffee and good eats, like Birch and Vine, Seymour’s Bagel Shop, and Annex 400 Beach, among plenty of others.
All told, there are nearly 50 St. Pete businesses joining in the festivities. During these slow summer months, the Sunrise Sale is an opportunity to support our favorite locally-owned, independent shops, while getting great deals in the process. Plus, with the early hours, we can avoid those late afternoon storms.
The 53rd Annual Sunrise Sale begins at 6:43 am on Thursday, July 16, and sales and festivities continue throughout the day. Learn more here, and save the map to plot out your course for the day.
