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 friend 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!
Fall Makers Market – Locally Grown • Raised • Created | 2022 Sponsor
Jester Park Nature Center
November 20; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Polk County Conservation’s Fall Makers Market is FREE admission, a family-friendly event. Browse a diverse representation of goods from local makers, artisans, and handcrafters. Check out the full list of vendors at JesterParkNatureCenter.com. The products are just as unique and inspiring as the setting. Hosted at Conservation’s nature center in Granger, you can explore the educational displays, relax on the back patio, or take a lovely hike after you snag the perfect holiday gifts! Makers Market is November 20 from 11 am – 4 pm.
Sip & Shop
Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines
November 3; 5 to 7 p.m.
Sip, Shop, & Socialize after hours at participating stores in Historic Valley Junction. Participating stores will have beverages for you to sip such as hot cocoa while you shop and some will also be hosting a “mini-event”.
A Little House Christmas
Little House on Main, Bondurant
November 4 & 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Joy-filled to announce the launch of our 2022 Holiday collection! Our 5th annual A Little House Christmas brings the celebration of all things magical, the season of miracles & gift-giving, live Christmas tunes, & the mission to give back. With your help, every purchase from Little House On Main impacts the lives of those around you as we intentionally share a percentage of every sale with causes in Iowa. We are so joyful to welcome the most wonderful time of the year with you!
Des Moines Holiday Boutique
Iowa Events Center
Friday, November 4: 10 am – 9 pm
Saturday, November 5: 10 am-8 pm
Sunday, November 6: 10 am – 5 pm
The Des Moines Holiday Boutique returns to the Iowa Events Center November 4-6. Three exciting days of festive fun! Purchase tickets for this holiday shopping extravaganza.
Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Sale
Ankeny, Iowa
November 5; 9 a.m. to 4 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 take you to each of our three schools all day for only a dollar! This event is the Ankeny Art Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year and has been an Ankeny tradition for 40 years.
Beaverdale Holiday Boutique
Holy Trinity Catholic School
November 11; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
November 12; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Come to the Beaverdale Holiday Boutique to shop 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.
Junk Jubilee Jingles
Varied Industries Building
November 11-13
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.
Vintage & Made Fair {Holiday Edition}
Dallas County Fair Association
November 12; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
VINTAGE & MADE FAIR is inspired by indie craft and all things vintage. Vintage & Made Fair is a market featuring antique and vintage home décor, jewelry, handcrafted goods, seasonal flora, and everything you need to create a vintage and handmade lifestyle. This fair is a 1-day event where shoppers and over 75 vendors can share a love for vintage and indie craft.
General Admission: $10/person and 12 & under are Free!
Holiday Open House
Ted Lare Design Build & Garden Center
November 12; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Come get geared up for the holidays with Ted Lare Design Build & Garden Center at their annual Holiday Open House!
You’ll find plenty of festive inspiration and all the supplies you need to bring the holidays home, like fresh evergreen boughs and holiday decor. You’re bound to find the perfect gift with beautiful, handmade creations brought to you by talented, local artisans.
Downtown Winter Farmers Market
Court Avenue District
November 12 & December 3; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Des Moines’ Downtown Winter Farmers Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines will return to Downtown Des Moines (DSM) for the 2022 holiday season. The Winter Market will take place outdoors in the streets of the Historic Court District as an outdoor market. Participating vendors will have seasonal local produce, meat, cheese, eggs, jam, jelly, salsa, yummy food, and many other varieties of value-added farm food and local art available for purchase. There will also be breakfast and lunch street food options on-site. Do not miss this holiday edition of the Des Moines Farmers Market.
Locally Grown Showcase – Holiday Market
Snus Hill Winery
November 12 & 13
Leisure shopping! Join Locally Grown Showcase for this amazing event and continue to support handmade businesses this Holiday Season.
Fall Nature Market
Middleswart Lodge
November 17; 5 to 8 p.m.
Warren County Conservation Board is hosting its second local nature and craft-related vendor fair. They want to support local merchants in their beautiful park setting. Vendors will have all sorts of items to get you ready for the upcoming holiday season.
Free To Enter!
Each vendor was selected based on how well their products fit into the following categories: nature-themed, handcrafted, upcycled, or repurposed, Iowa-based, photography, artwork, items locally grown or created, and items inspired by nature. Unique items are preferred, and similar vendors will not be doubled.
Very Merry Winter Market
Uptown Ankeny
November 19; 4 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy the atmosphere of Ankeny’s only outdoor holiday market! Shop locally raised & handcrafted goods at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion.
Kerstmarkt: Pella’s Dutch Christmas Market
700 Main St, Pella, Iowa
December 1-3
A Dutch Christmas Market in Pella, Iowa, hosted by Visit Pella! This festive event will be held on December 1-3 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.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
Principal Park Parking Lot at 1 Line Drive Des Moines, Iowa
Thursday, December 1: 5 pm – 9 pm
Friday, December 2: 11 am – 9 pm
Saturday, December 3: 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday, December 4: 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.
Cowles Market
Cowles Montessori School
December 3; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Cowles Holiday Market is back! Join us for this family-friendly event at Cowles Montessori School on Saturday, December 3, from 9 am to 1 pm.
FREE ADMISSION & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC All are welcome for a day of merry community celebration!
Shop fantastic gifts from 40 local vendors, including talented Cowles student crafters
Indulge in delicious goodies from the bake sale
Tap your toes to live music
Laugh, play, and get creative in our free Kids Zone hosted by Joujou and DSM Children’s Museum
Local Holiday Makers Market
Valley Community Center
December 3; 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.
