St. Pete's free Small Business Saturday festival returns for its 16th year on the downtown waterfront.
By Joseph Jackson | ST. PETERSBURG (Nov. 6, 2026)
The short version
Shopapalooza runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28–29, at Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg.
Admission is free. More than 350 local makers, artists and food vendors set up on about 11 acres.
It's the 16th year. LocalShops1 runs it; the City of St. Petersburg co-sponsors.
St. Petersburg's biggest shop-local weekend lands on Small Business Saturday again. Shopapalooza returns to Vinoy Park on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28–29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, with more than 350 local makers, artists and food vendors, according to the festival's website. Admission is free.
The festival is produced by LocalShops1, the local business group founded by Ester Venouziou, and co-sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg. Organizers bill it as one of the largest Small Business Saturday celebrations in the country.
What's there?
According to the festival:
Shopping: handmade goods, art, fashion, home decor and gifts from more than 350 local businesses
Food and drink: local restaurants and food trucks across four food zones, plus a beer and wine garden
Music: live music and live art all weekend
Kids: a kids zone
Dogs: welcome on a leash
Prizes: one entry can win a $500 Palooza gift card (details on the festival's Win Prizes page)
How did it get this big?
Shopapalooza started in 2010 at BayWalk, now the Sundial, with about 65 vendors, the St. Pete Catalyst reported. It moved through the old St. Pete Pier and South Straub Park before landing at Vinoy Park in 2019.
The point hasn't changed. Venouziou told the Catalyst that small businesses need support every day, not just one weekend.
Where do I park?
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater points to the Sundial and Plaza Tower garages and notes there is no free trolley this year. Downtown street parking and the city's other garages are options too. Check the festival's Getting Here page before you go.
Need an accommodation? Contact the City of St. Petersburg Community Affairs Division at 727-893-7345 or 727-892-5259 (TDD/TTY).
Shopapalooza is one stop on Small Business Saturday. Here's where else to shop small across Tampa Bay that weekend.