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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 | 2023 Sponsor
Jester Park Nature Center
November 19; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Polk County Conservation on Sunday, November 19, from 11 a.m. – 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.
Sip & Shop
Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines
November 2; 5 to 7 p.m.
Sip, Shop, and 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 3 & 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Joy-filled to announce the launch of our 2023 Holiday collection! The 6th 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 you choosing to walk alongside them, every purchase from Little House On Main impacts the lives of those around you as they intentionally share a percentage of every sale with causes in Iowa. They are so joyful to welcome the most wonderful time of the year with you!
Des Moines Holiday Boutique
Iowa Events Center
Friday, November 10: 10 am – 9 pm
Saturday, November 11: 9 am – 7 pm
Sunday, November 12: 10 am – 5 pm
The Des Moines Holiday Boutique returns to the Iowa Events Center November 10-12. Three exciting days of festive fun! Purchase tickets for this holiday shopping extravaganza.
Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Sale
Ankeny, Iowa
November 4; 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 10; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
November 11; 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 10-12
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.
Holiday Open House
Ted Lare Design Build & Garden Center
November 11; 9 a.m. to 3 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
Hy-Vee Hall
November 17 – November 19
The hours will be Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The 2023 Downtown Winter Farmer’s Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines will take place from Friday, Nov. 17 – Sunday, Nov. 19 at Hy-Vee Hall in Downtown Des Moines (DSM).
The Winter Market will feature late-season produce, holiday gifts, baked goods, and more. The Spark DSM Minority Business Incubator will also have vendors at The Winter Market.
Locally Grown Showcase – Holiday Market
Snus Hill Winery
November 18 & 19
Leisure shopping! Join Locally Grown Showcase for this amazing event and continue to support handmade businesses this Holiday Season.
Holiday Sip & Shop
Middlebrook Mercantile
November 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Swing in for a coffee or a mimosa (or whatever other type of yummy drink you prefer), shop local vendors, and snack on The Grazing Table Charcuteries’ delicious holiday charcuterie cups!
Bring a friend or two and hang with us while you shop holiday, home, beauty, gifting, and apparel items with a beverage in your hand! Stay tuned for a list of local vendors and what they have to offer!
Small Biz Saturday Warehouse Market
501 SW 7th Suite M, Des Moines
November 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Support small artists and designers and thrifters and makers and everyone in between at our Warehouse Market! Keep your eyes on vendor announcements here and other details.
Kerstmarkt: Pella’s Dutch Christmas Market
700 Main St, Pella, Iowa
November 30 – December 2
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.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
Principal Park Parking Lot at 1 Line Drive Des Moines, Iowa
Thursday, November 30: 5 pm – 9 pm
Friday, December 1: 11 am – 9 pm
Saturday, December 2: 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday, December 3: 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 2; 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.
Fall Nature Market
Middleswart Lodge
December 9; 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. *Vendor Fees will support a nature playscape at the Annett Nature Center. Free To Enter!
Erin Huiatt
Erin is a reliable resource and stepping stone for women and families to find support and make connections within our community. She wants families to feel confident to reach out and ask for help and advice to get pointed in the right direction. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her two children in tow!