Des Moines Holiday Markets + Local Shopping
It is the time of year for all the holiday shopping. Holiday markets, Christmas markets, and craft shows are a great way to support local vendors, local businesses, local artists, and more. Forget the big box stores and head to one of these special events this holiday season. Whether you are looking for home decor, handmade items, unique gifts, vintage items, or artisan products, you will find something for all the friends and family in your life this holiday season.
Grab your friends and family for a fun market day below. A lot of these events include entertainment such as live music, food trucks, and more. Make it a whole day of crossing off your holiday shopping list while supporting small businesses.
Bookmark this list, save the date, and plan some fun shopping days while supporting locals and having a great time!
Shopping for holiday gifts? Check out these other guides to buying gifts this season:
Fall Makers Market – Locally Grown • Raised • Created | 2025 Sponsor
Jester Park Nature Center
November 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Polk County Conservation on Sunday, November 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jester Park Nature Center in Granger to shop for gifts or goods just in time for the holiday season! While there, explore the nature center’s exhibits, relax on the back patio in an Adirondack chair by the fireplace, and make sure to head over to the outdoor recreation center, where more vendors will be located!
They have ensured a diverse representation of local makers, artisans, and/or handcrafters to bring you a variety of goods. Vendors will be added as they are confirmed. The Fall Makers Market is a FREE admission, family-friendly event.
Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Sale
Ankeny, Iowa
November 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Sale (SNPV) is one of the most popular craft shows in Iowa, featuring hand-crafted items such as jewelry, seasonal gifts, clothing, and holiday decor. Local non-profit organizations offer food and drinks for sale, and our shuttles will transport you to each of our three schools throughout the day for just a dollar! This event is the Ankeny Art Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year and has been an Ankeny tradition for 40 years.
Junk Jubilee Jingles
Varied Industries Building
November 7-9
The ultimate vintage experience! For those who have a love for all things quaint, chippy, vintage, retro, industrial, rusty, galvanized, architectural, & farm fresh, JUNK JUBILEE is a show you will not want to miss! Their vintage market takes place in the Varied Industries Building, 110,000 sq ft, and is filled with more than 100 high-quality vendors from many states who share your passion for saving historical artifacts from previous generations.
Des Moines Holiday Boutique
EMC Expo Center
Friday, November 7: 10 am – 9 pm
Saturday, November 8: 9 am – 7 pm
Sunday, November 9: 10 am – 5 pm
The Des Moines Holiday Boutique returns to the Iowa Events Center November 7-9. Three exciting days of festive fun! Purchase tickets for this holiday shopping extravaganza.
Beaverdale Holiday Boutique
Holy Trinity Catholic School
November 14, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
November 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Come to the Beaverdale Holiday Boutique to shop with amazing vendors, home goods, cinnamon rolls, enjoy gourmet foods at Mrs. Kringle’s bakery, and more! A $5 admission at the door helps support Holy Trinity Pre-K and K-12 students at Holy Trinity School in Beaverdale.
Look Local First Holiday Sip n’ Shop
Des Moines Heritage Center
November 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style at our 2nd Annual Holiday Sip & Shop! Join us on Saturday, November 15th, from 11 AM – 3 PM at the Des Moines Heritage Center for a specially curated shopping experience that’s fun for all ages.
This event is your chance to discover one-of-a-kind gifts, sip seasonal drinks, and connect with some of the best local makers and small businesses in our community. With vendor spots limited, we’ve carefully selected unique shops and products you won’t find anywhere else.
And here’s the best part: by shopping at the Holiday Sip & Shop, you’ll be supporting local entrepreneurs before Black Friday even begins—putting your dollars directly back into the community while finding something truly special for everyone on your list.
Downtown Winter Farmers Market
Iowa Events Center
November 21-23
The hours will be Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market offers seasonal local produce, meat, cheese, eggs, jam, jelly, salsa, and many other varieties of value-added farm food, local art, entertainment, as well as breakfast and lunch prepared food options, and a variety of holiday products, too!
The Winter Market will take place in Hall C at the Iowa Events Center in Downtown Des Moines (DSM).
Paw-liday Market
Paws & Pints
November 22 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Browse a wide variety of local vendors offering unique finds for both humans and pups, think plants, baked goods, home décor, dog accessories, and so much more. It’s the perfect chance to get a head start on your holiday shopping while enjoying a cozy, festive atmosphere.
After shopping, stick around and enjoy dinner in our Santa Paws Pop-Up Restaurant, a seasonal dining experience you won’t want to miss.
This will be a dog-friendly, leashed event held in our Training Room, so bring your pup along to join in the fun!
Holiday Sip & Shop
Middlebrook Mercantile
November 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Get into the festive spirit with some delightful holiday shopping, enjoy a seasonal drink, and have a blast with friends at our much-loved event!
This year, they are excited to showcase a diverse selection of vendors, including women’s and kids’ boutiques, unique jewelry, permanent jewelry, upcycled ornaments, delectable charcuterie meats and cheeses, and so much more!
Val-Air Holiday Fair
Val-Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road in West Des Moines
November 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Shopping small all year round is important, but there is no better way to celebrate Small Business Saturday than with a bit of bonus fun with some of your favorite artists & fellow small biz owners. You can expect lots of the unusual vintage items you’ve come to love — from salt & pepper shaker plant pokes to food-themed pieces — along with some seasonal decor finds perfect for all of your holiday celebrations!
Kerstmarkt: Pella’s Dutch Christmas Market
700 Main St, Pella, Iowa
December 4-6
A Dutch Christmas Market in Pella, Iowa, hosted by Visit Pella! This festive event will be held in conjunction with Pella’s Christmas Tour of Homes. Inspired by outdoor markets in the Netherlands, this cozy market will fill you with holiday cheer. The market will be held on the Molengracht Plaza.
Locally Grown Showcase – Holiday Market
The Cellar Winery
December 7
Leisure shopping! Join Locally Grown Showcase for this amazing event and continue to support handmade businesses this Holiday Season.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
Principal Park Parking Lot at 1 Line Drive, Des Moines, Iowa
Thursday, December 4 & 11: 5 pm – 9 pm
Friday, December 5 & 12: 11 am – 9 pm
Saturday, December 6 & 13: 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday, December 7 & 14: 11 am – 5 pm
Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the holidays as you participate in a 700-year-old traditional German-inspired Christmas market.
Shop regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls; enjoy lively performances of polka music, traditional dance, and choirs in Yuletide Hall; participate in children’s activities; sip Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and savor European-style Iowa craft beer.
Local Holiday Makers Market
Valley Community Center
December 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Give meaningful, locally crafted gifts to your loved ones this holiday season at this indoor market! Grab a cup of coffee, a latte, or tea at our café and shop at their local maker’s market. From jewelry to honey, dog biscuits to home décor – with over 80 local vendors, there’s something for everyone.
