🧒 With kids
- Christkindlmarket Des Moines · Principal Park
- Downtown Winter Farmers' Market · Downtown
🎉 With friends
- Des Moines Holiday Boutique · Downtown
European-style market
IllustrationEuropean-style market · Principal Park
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
German food and crafts around the ballpark concourse, with fire pits and glühwein.
🧒 With kidsWhat's there
- KinderKorner stories and songs
- Bratwurst, candied nuts, Glühwein in a keepsake mug
- Opening procession with children
A friendly, family-sized German market — park free in Lots 3 and 4.
- 2026
- Dec 3–6 & Dec 10–13, 2026
- Last season
- Two weekends, December 2025
- Cost
- Free entry
Getting there and parking
- Free parking for market visitors in Lots 3 and 4 during market hours (2026)
Worth knowing
- Pets on a short leash
Holiday market
IllustrationHoliday market · Downtown
Des Moines Holiday Boutique
A three-day indoor holiday shopping show with around 200 vendors and 14,000 shoppers a year, at the Iowa Events Center.
🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- About 200 vendors — décor, gifts, local artisans
- Holiday entertainment stage
- Indoors at the EMC Expo Center
An early-November shopping marathon — buy online before the show for the lower price.
- 2026
- Nov 6–8, 2026
- Last season
- Nov 7–9, 2025
- Cost
- $14 at the door; $12 + $1 fee online until Nov 5, 2026; 12 and under free
Getting there and parking
- EMC Expo Center, 730 3rd St — surface lots north of the building off 3rd St, 5th Ave and Crocker St (cashless)
- Downtown garages with skywalk access
Worth knowing
- Educators and school staff free on Sunday (Nov 8, 2026) with ID
- Illustration
Holiday market · Downtown
Downtown Winter Farmers' Market
The downtown farmers market's 21st winter edition — local food, art and holiday products indoors, with food trucks on Cowles Commons.
🎉 With friends🧒 With kidsWhat's there
- Local produce, meat, cheese, preserves
- Local art and holiday products
- Food trucks outside on Cowles Commons
- Live entertainment
A good way to start the season and stock up on Iowa-made food gifts.
- 2026
- Nov 20–22, 2026 at Capital Square; Fri 10 am–2 pm, Sat 8 am–4 pm, Sun 10 am–2 pm
- Last season
- Nov 21–23, 2025 (Iowa Events Center, Hall C)
- Cost
- See organizer
Getting there and parking
- Capital Square, downtown Des Moines (2026 venue)
Worth knowing
- New venue in 2026 — it moved from Hall C of the Iowa Events Center to Capital Square