Shopapalooza Festival is one of the biggest shopping events in the entire Tampa Bay region. This huge vendor market takes place on the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg, which means you can take the Cross-Bay Ferry to St. Pete and enjoy a breezy walk to the ultimate Tampa area holiday market. LocalShops1 Founder Ester Venouziou is the prolific mind behind this celebration small businesses.
The 12th annual Shopapalooza Festival takes place November 26 and 27 from 10am-5pm. The event features four outdoor food halls, live entertainment and activities all weekend long, food trucks, several beer and wine stations, and the most glam seating lounge. Altogether, Shopapalooza Festival showcases more than 350 local vendors in the Tampa Bay Area. It is the biggest Small Business Saturday (and Sunday!) celebration ever.
Shopapalooza is 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.
A kids zone featuring crafts, play and learning stations will also be set up. The zone is sponsored by Imagine Orthodontic Studio and Great Explorations Children’s Museum, one of the great local gems for young St. Pete residents. This kids zone will include a Santa Station (including Mrs. Claus too), plus face-painting, desserts, food, local rescues, gift ideas for children, and more.
This family-friendly event is absolutely free to attend. You can even win a $500 shopping spree by registering in advance on Eventbrite (one winner will be picked for each festival day). This year’s nonprofit partners are Jump for Kids and St. Pete Youth Farm. The festival is co-sponsored by the beautiful City of St. Pete.
Food halls, kid zones, and more at Vinoy Park
“Shopapalooza Festival celebrates the great independent businesses that make Tampa Bay such an amazing place,” said Ester Venouziou, LocalShops1 founder said ahead of last year’s festival. “It’s going to be 11.6 acres filled with pure local awesomeness, and we are stepping things up on the ‘wow’ factor.”
Vinoy Park is located at 701 Bayshore Drive NE in St. Petersburg, FL. Parking is available at garages across downtown St. Pete. There will be free trolley rides to and from Shopapalooza at the Sundial Parking garage, which is located at 117 2nd Street North.
Learn more about the vendors and the event on the Shopapalooza Festival website or Facebook event. Keep up with everything happening with LocalShops1 on its website!
