Over 350 vendors come together at the waterfront for the Shopapalooza Festival, forming a holiday market

The Shopapalooza Festival stands as one of the most significant shopping extravaganzas within the Tampa Bay region.

This grand-scale vendor market unfolds on the picturesque waterfront of downtown St. Petersburg, conveniently accessible via the Cross-Bay Ferry, offering a delightful journey to the premier holiday market in the Tampa area.

Ester Venouziou, the visionary founder of LocalShops1, orchestrates this celebration of small businesses in collaboration with co-sponsor, the City of St. Pete, and tourism partner, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.

Mark your calendars for the 13th annual Shopapalooza Festival, occurring on Saturday and Sunday, November 25th and 26th, from 10 am to 5 pm.

Beyond the extensive array of local businesses, this event boasts four outdoor food halls, live entertainment, weekend-long activities, food trucks, a sprawling beer garden, and an opulent seating lounge.

In total, the festival shines a spotlight on over 350 local vendors across the Tampa Bay Area, making it the most monumental Small Business Saturday and Sunday celebration.

Each food hall promises a delectable variety of snacks, drinks, entrees, and desserts, catering to both vegans and avid carnivores.

Families will find delight in the kids’ zone, featuring creative crafts, play areas, and educational stations, sponsored by Imagine Orthodontic Studio and organized by Coastal Dream Events.

This vibrant section includes photo opportunities with princesses, Ms. Florida, and Santa, stilt walkers, yard games, a crafts table, and more. You’ll also discover food and dessert trucks, animal rescues, and specialized vendors offering gifts for children and parents.

On Sunday, prepare for an exhilarating Santa Rampage, Parade, and Costume Contest. Santas will make their grand entrance as early as 10 am, with the parade commencing at 12:30 pm, starting from the southernmost end of Vinoy Park, encircling the entire park, and concluding at the Main Stage for an epic photo opportunity and costume contest.

Best of all, this family-friendly event is completely free to attend, and you even have a chance to win a $500 shopping spree by pre-registering on Eventbrite (one winner for each festival day). This year’s nonprofit partners are Jump for Kids and St. Pete Youth Farm, and the festival receives generous co-sponsorship from the charming 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, LocalShops1 and Shopapalooza founder. “These past couple of years, especially, we all saw how much we depend on small businesses and all they do to keep our communities going, from giving meals to schoolchildren and first responders, to raising funds and donating supplies to neighbors in need. The local business community went above and beyond, and if we want them to stick around, it’s time for us all to give back and support them as much as we can. This year’s Palooza is the biggest one yet: 11.3 acres filled with pure local awesomeness, and many surprises to be discovered.”

Vinoy Park is situated at 701 Bayshore Drive NE in St. Petersburg, Florida. For your convenience, parking facilities are accessible at various garages throughout downtown St. Pete. Additionally, free trolley rides to and from Shopapalooza will be provided at the Southcore Parking garage, located on 2nd Street South, nestled between Central and 1st Avenues.

For further information about the event and the participating vendors, visit the Shopapalooza Festival website or their Facebook event page. Stay updated on all the exciting developments with LocalShops1 by visiting their official website.