Shopapalooza Festival, one of the biggest shopping events in the Tampa Bay region, is back for its landmark 15th rendition this Thanksgiving weekend. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, November 29 and 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the free vendor market will be held on the waterfront at Vinoy Park (701 Bayshore Drive NE).
Kicking off on Small Business Saturday, Shopapalooza provides the perfect opportunity to support local vendors, with the 350+ small businesses represented making it the nation’s biggest Small Business Saturday (and Sunday!) event. Organized by LocalShops1 Founder Ester Venouziou and supported by the City of St. Pete, the event celebrates small businesses across Tampa Bay.
In addition to the hundreds of local vendors, the festival will feature outdoor food halls, live entertainment, activities, beer and wine gardens, an adoptable pet fashion show, a “Kidpreneurs” zone, pictures with Santa, and much more – all for free. As LocalShops1 points out, you can save your money for shopping. The event is family-friendly, open to all ages, and welcomes well-behaved, leashed pets.
Shopapalooza: The biggest local shopping event of the season
While shopping is the big draw, don’t skip the food, drink and entertainment. Four different food halls will showcase 40 local chefs, restaurants and food trucks, while the beer gardens offer refreshment along the way (with sales supporting nonprofit Jump For Kids). Plus, there’s live music all day, all weekend…