Beat the crowds this holiday season and pick up some unique, hand-crafted and vintage holiday gifts while you are at it! The Des Moines area is alive with dozens of local vintage and craft markets ready to do the stocking stuffing for you during the holiday season. dsm4kids rounded up the best, just for you.
For even more seasonal fun, check out our Holiday Fun Guide.
Here’s your guide to craft fairs and holiday markets in Des Moines:
Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Sale
Northview, Parkview & Prairie Ridge Middle School • Ankeny, IA • (515) 965-0940
One of the most popular craft shows in Iowa, featuring hand-crafted items such as jewelry, furniture, clothing and holiday decor. There are about 250 exhibitors at this event, from fine art crafters to jewelry and candle makers, and more. This event is the Ankeny Art Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year and has been an Ankeny tradition for 35+ years!
When: November 4, 2023 at 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: $6; Children 8 and under FREE
Des Moines Holiday Boutique
Iowa Events Center • 730 3rd Street • Des Moines, IA
More than 200 companies will join together to create the shopping event of the season. Discover unique, high-quality vendors showcasing the latest trends in apparel, decor, jewelry, seasonal gifts, gourmet foods and more!
When: November 10, 2023 at 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
November 11, 2023 at 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
November 12, 2023 at 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: Adults (at the door) $12.00; Adults (Online only) $10.00; Children Ages 12 & Under FREE
Junk Jubilee Jingles
Iowa State Fairgrounds 4-H Building • 3000 E Grand Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50317 • (563) 652-4529
Junk Jubilee Jingles kicks off the holiday season offering shoppers a unique vintage shopping experience with over 150 individual vendors. The types of merchandise available includes rustic, architectural salvage, farmhouse, vintage and handmade items.
When: November 10, 2023 at 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
November 11, 2023 at 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
November 12, 2023 at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: $10 General Admission; Children 14 and under: FREE
Beaverdale Holiday Boutique
Holy Trinity Catholic School • 2926 Beaver Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50310
Over 100 artisans from all over Iowa will be selling traditional and contemporary designs both online and in person at this annual holiday event. A family-friendly experience the Beaverdale Holiday Boutique will have four floors of gifts and food for sale. Shoppers will find unique, handcrafted items in a variety of mediums from wood to glass, clothing for all occasions, home and door décor and more.
When: November 10, 2023 at 5:30 to 8:30 pm
November 11, 2023 at 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost: $5 per person
Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market
Hy-Vee Hall • 730 4th Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 286-4911
The Des Moines’ Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market will return for the 2023 holiday season. The Winter Market will take place indoors at Iowa Events Center’s Hy-Vee Hall. Participating vendors will have seasonal local produce, meat, cheese, eggs, jam, jelly, salsa and many other varieties of value-added farm food and local art available for purchase.
When: November 17, 2023 at 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
November 18, 2023 at 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
November 19, 2023 at 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Fall into Wine & Art Fall Craft Show
Summerset Winery • 15101 Fairfax Street • Indianola, IA 50125
You won’t want to miss out on an opportunity to support some great, local artisans while shopping for the holidays! Grab the gang and head out to the Winery to sip on tasty wine while you shop. All vendors are local artisans creating hand-crafted, artisanal products.
When: November 18, 2023; 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Iowa’s Largest Arts & Crafts Show
Iowa State Fairgrounds Varied Industries Building • 3000 E Grand Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50317 • (563) 652-4529
A fantastic holiday shopping event! Iowa’s largest arts and crafts show features over 300 talented exhibitors selling thousands of unique handmade products. All items sold at the show are produced by the vendors who sell them.
When: November 17, 2023 at 5:00 to 9:00 pm
November 18, 2023 at 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
November 19, 2023 at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Cost: $8 Adults and Children (11 and over), Children 10 and under are FREE.
Fall Makers’ Market
Jester Park Nature Center • 12130 NW 128th Street • Granger, IA 50109 • (515) 323-5350
The Jester Park Nature Center’s Locally Grown, Raised, & Created Fall Makers Market is a handcrafted marketplace where you can support local merchants in a beautiful park setting. There will be a diverse representation of over 30 local makers, artisans, and handcrafters to bring you a variety of goods. While there, explore the nature center’s exhibits, relax on the back patio in an Adirondack chair by the fireplace, or grab a cup of hot chocolate at the outdoor recreation center where more vendors will be located.
When: November 19, 2023 at 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Small Business Saturday – Open Studios
Mainframe Studios • 900 Keosauqua Way • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 216-4253
With over 131 open studios, you’ll find more small businesses at Mainframe Studios than anywhere else in the Metro. Shop jewelry, clothing, home goods, fine art, hands-on experiences, art supplies, and endless personalized options. Feel great checking off your gift list at Mainframe Studios.
When: Saturday, November 25, 2023 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
Principal Park 1 Line Drive • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 250-6366
Each year, people from all over the world visit Christkindlmarkets. The unique outdoor markets offer a cultural and educational experience, typical European-inspired food and drink, as well as diverse holiday entertainment. Shoppers will find old-world, artisanal, hand-crafted products representing various European cultures that make Christkindlmarket Des Moines the perfect holiday family destination.
When: November 30, 2023 at 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
December 1, 2022 at 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
December 2, 2022 at 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
December 3, 2022 at 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Cowles Holiday Market
Cowles Montessori School • 6401 College Avenue • Windsor Heights, IA 50324 • (515) 491-6747
The Cowles Holiday Market is back! Join the Cowles Montessori School for this family-friendly event. 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 and laugh, play, and get creative in their free Kids Zone.
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Local Holiday Maker’s Market
Valley Community Center • 4444 Fuller Road • West Des Moines, IA 50265
Give meaningful, locally crafted gifts to your loved ones this holiday season! Grab a cup of coffee, a latte, or tea at Valley Community Center’s café and shop their local maker’s market. From jewelry to honey, dog biscuits to home décor – with over 80 local vendors, there’s something for everyone.
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Did we miss your favorite holiday craft fair or market in the Des Moines area? We’d love to hear about it!
