ORLANDO, Fla. – Black Friday may be the official start to the holiday shopping season, but Small Business Saturday is the big day for mom-and-pop shops, and Central Florida business districts and stores are offering deals, markets, freebies, activities and more to lure customers in.
Small Business Saturday started in 2010 as a way to get people to think more locally when buying holiday gifts.
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In 2023, customers spent an estimated $17 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday, according to American Express, which sponsors the day.
The event is especially important this year. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports consumers are expected to spend $191 less at small businesses this year, down 40% from last year, and holiday sales account for a large chunk of sales for many small businesses.
Several of Central Florida’s neighborhood business districts are once again banding together to offer markets, specials, giveaways, live music and more.
On the map below you can find businesses hosting sales and markets around Central Florida.
Check out these Small Business Saturday events:
ORANGE COUNTY
Audubon Park Garden District Shop Small Sip and Stroll
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Check-in location: 2906 Corrine Drive, Orlando
Sip, Shop, Score at Curry Ford West
Noon until 5 p.m.
The Vintage Chair, 2609 Curry Ford Road
Small Business Saturday Market at Lake Nona
Noon until 4 p.m.
Lake Nona Town Center
Winter Garden Downtown Small Business Saturday Sidewalk Sale
All day
Along Plant Street in Winter Garden
Small Business Saturday at Mills 50
All Day
Businesses in the Mills 50 district
Thornton Park District Small Business Saturday
Noon until 6 p.m.
Markets on Church Street, East Central Boulevard, Washington Street and more
OSCEOLA COUNTY
Downtown St. Cloud Small Business Saturday
Starting at 9 a.m.
1102 New York Avenue
Kissimmee Main Street Small Business Saturday
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
421 Broadway
BREVARD COUNTY
Downtown Melbourne Candlelight Shopping
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
826 E. New Haven Ave.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Myrtle Tharpe Square Gazebo
Note: This event is for people 21 and up
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Historic Ormond Beach Small Business Saturday
Starting at 10 a.m.
Granada Boulevard between A1A and Orchard Street
Downtown DeLand’s Historic Garden District
All Day
Downtown DeLand
Coast Christmas Market on Canal Street
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach
LAKE COUNTY
Mount Dora Small Business Saturday Celebration
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunset Park, 230 W. 4th Ave.
Historic Downtown Clermont Small Business Saturday
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Clermont Main Street
MARION COUNTY
Small Business Saturday in Downtown Ocala
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ocala Downtown Square
SEMINOLE COUNTY
Small Business Saturday Goblin Market
All Day
Oviedo Mall
Noon to 5 p.m.
Winter Springs VFW Post 405
Small Business Saturday in Downtown Sanford
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sanford Information Center, 230 E. 1st Street
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