Taking place over Thanksgiving weekend, the annual Shopapalooza Festival is one of the biggest shopping events in the Tampa Bay region, and this year promises to be better than ever. Held on Saturday and Sunday, November 30 and December 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Vinoy Park (701 Bayshore Drive NE), the event is free to attend and offers an amazing opportunity to support local businesses. Plus, you can skip the drive and take the CrossBay Ferry for easy access.
Kicking off on Small Business Saturday, this year’s Shopapalooza brings together over 350 local vendors, many of whom have been affected by recent hurricanes. Organized by LocalShops1 Founder Ester Venouziou and supported by the City of St. Pete, the festival is a celebration of small businesses.
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In addition to an impressive lineup of vendors, the event features outdoor food halls, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, food trucks, beer and wine gardens, and a glamorous seating lounge—all with no admission fee, so you can save your money for shopping! Well-behaved, leashed pets are also welcome.
Shopapalooza: The biggest local shopping event of the season
Each food hall will feature snacks, drinks, entrees and desserts for everyone to enjoy. Selections include options for vegans and those with more carnivorous sensibilities.
Each food hall will offer a variety of snacks, drinks, entrées, and desserts, including options for vegans and meat lovers alike.
The kids zone will feature crafts, play and learning stations, photo ops with princesses, Ms. Florida, and Santa, as well as yard games, a crafts table, and more. The section also includes food and dessert trucks, animal rescues, and vendors specializing in gifts for children and parents.
While RSVP is not required, those who register in advance can win exciting prizes like personal shopping assistants, shopping sprees, and more. Learn more and register (for free) here.
Attendees can also enter for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree by registering in advance on Eventbrite—one winner will be selected each festival day. This year’s nonprofit partners are Jump for Kids and St. Pete Youth Farm. The event is co-sponsored by the City of St. Pete.
Food halls, kid zones, and more at Vinoy Park
“Every year, Shopapalooza Festival kicks off the holiday shopping season by celebrating the great independent businesses that make Tampa Bay such an amazing place,” says Ester Venouziou, founder of LocalShops1 and Shopapalooza. “These past couple of years, especially, have shown how much we rely on small businesses to keep our communities thriving. This year’s Palooza is the biggest one yet: 11.3 acres filled with local awesomeness and plenty of surprises.”
Vinoy Park is located at 701 Bayshore Drive NE in St. Petersburg. Parking is available at garages across downtown St. Pete, with free trolley rides to and from Shopapalooza at the Southcore Parking Garage, located on 2nd Street South between Central and 1st Avenues.
For more information about the vendors and event details, visit the Shopapalooza Festival website or the Facebook event page. Stay updated with LocalShops1 by visiting their website!
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