Holiday markets and craft shows are a great way to shop for holiday gifts or something new for yourself all while supporting local businesses. We have rounded up the best local holiday markets and craft shows and put them in one place. Mark your calendar and make a day (or two!) of shopping at local markets.
Don’t miss the Just Between Friends Holiday Sale happening November 15-16, with a ticketed presale on November 14 in the Elwell Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Find winter clothing from newborn-junior sizes, shoes, toys, games, puzzles, books, holiday decor, and more. Prep for the holidays without breaking the bank! There will be thousands of items to choose from to meet your growing kids’ needs at deep discount prices. Free parking and free admission on public shopping days! Get tickets for the presale here.
PLUS: Santa will be there on Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Nov 14-16 | Just Between Friends Holiday Sale, Elwell Center at Iowa State Fairgrounds
Better than Black Friday! The winter sale will feature clothing and shoes that are appropriate for cooler weather, toys, books, puzzles, games, and more!
2025 Des Moines Area Holiday Markets
Oct 25 | Grimes Holiday Bazaar, Prairie Creek Church
801 W 1st St, Grimes, IA 50111
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Kick off your holiday shopping with unique handmade gifts, holiday treasures, and baked goods!
Nov 1 | Edgewater Holiday Mart, 9225 Cascade Avenue, West Des Moines
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Nov 1 | Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Show, Prairie Trail Sports Complex 2250 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny, IA
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nov 6 | Merry & Made Holiday Open House, 232 5th Street, West Des Moines
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Nov 7-9 | Des Moines Holiday Boutique, EMC Expo Center
This multi-day event features an extensive list of vendors.
Nov 7-9 | Junk Jubilee Jingles, Iowa State Fairgrounds
Named one of Country Living’s “7 Flea Markets You Don’t Want To Miss”, Junk Jubilee is for those who love all things quaint, chippy, vintage, retro, industrial, rusty, galvanized, architectural, and farm-fresh.
Nov 8 | Christmas with a Cause, 8301 Aurora Ave.
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shop this global market to buy Christmas gifts to fund humanitarian work locally and around the world.
Nov 8 | Holiday Market on the Farm, Speckled Hen Farms in Winterset
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kick off your holiday season with us on the farm! Join them for this one-of-a-kind, free, and family-friendly!” open-air” market.
Nov 14-16 | Just Between Friends Holiday Sale, Elwell Center at Iowa State Fairgrounds
Better than Black Friday! The winter sale will feature clothing and shoes that are appropriate for cooler weather, toys, books, puzzles, games, and more!
Nov 14-15 | Beaverdale Holiday Boutique, Holy Trinity
Find unique, handcrafted items in a variety of mediums from wood to glass, clothing for all occasions, home, and door decor.
November 15 – 16 | Des Moines Fall Arts Crafts Show, Iowa State Fairgrounds
This is Iowa’s Largest Arts & Crafts Show. Held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds with over 300 exhibitors from 8 different states.
Nov 15 | Look Local First Holiday Sip ‘N Shop, Des Moines Heritage Center 120 E 5th St, Des Moines
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
November 21 – 23 | Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market, Iowa Events Center in Downtown Des Moines
Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m
The Winter Market will feature late-season produce, holiday gifts, baked goods, and more.
Nov 22 | Fall Craft Show, Holiday Inn Express Des Moines – Ankeny
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
November 22 | Holiday Sip & Shop, Middlebrook Mercantile
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
November 23 | Locally Grown, Raised, & Created Fall Makers Market, Jester Park Nature Center
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Support local small businesses in the community this season while shopping at the Fall Makers Market at the scenic Jester Park Nature Center.
November 23 | Des Moines Makers Market & Bar Hop
1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Find vendors, drinks and food at all of these fun locations! Big Grove Brewery & Taproom; Lua Brewing; and Exile Brewing Co.
November 29 | Val Air Holiday Fair
11 am – 6 pm
Check out 45+ carefully curated vendors of art, handmade, vintage, and more.
December 4-7; 11-14 | Christkindlmarket Des Moines, Principal Park
Experience European-style foods, products, and fun. Featuring regional vendors, European foods, and activities for kids and adults alike.
December 6 | Local Holiday Maker’s Market, Valley Community Center
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
December 6 | Clive’s Annual Holiday Market Extravaganza, Horizon Event Center
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Get your holiday shopping done under one roof with music, food, fun and small businesses.
December 7 | Locally Grown Showcase – Holiday Market, The Cellar Winery
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This indoor event is just one big pop-up shop with all of the vendor’s items displayed together. Shop a variety of handmade and homegrown vendors.
December 12 – 13 | Winter Solstice Market, 116 S 1st Ave, Winterset
An indoor holiday market featuring 25 talented creators in the beautifully restored Winterset Livery.
What are your favorite holiday markets? Let us know if we missed anything!
We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, locations, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
Dec 4th – Local Holiday Makers Market at Valley Community Center!
Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market – Nov. 20 and Dec. 4
https://www.dsmpartnership.com/desmoinesfarmersmarket/
There is info for the Beautiful Land one at http://www.beautifullandmarket.com
Please update so people can find it! It is truly an amazing market run by great people.