Ready for holiday shopping? Try these Des Moines craft and holiday shopping events

Posted by Admin November 12, 2024 Shopping

It’s time to bundle up and venture out to holiday markets.

With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away and Christmas around the corner, holiday shopping events, fundraisers and tree lightings are starting.

Here are events (organized chronologically) to get you in the holiday mood.

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show

The annual arts and crafts show at Iowa State Fairgrounds is the state’s largest, with more than 300 exhibitors from 8 states. The show promises original and affordable arts and crafts, and even furniture, jewelry, wreaths, accessories and more, with over 80,000 square feet of display space.

Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 16 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 17

Tickets: $8 at the door, those 10 and under are free

Location: Iowa State Fairgrounds, E. 30th Street and University Avenue, Des Moines

Des Moines Holiday Boutique

One of central Iowa’s earliest holiday shopping shows, the Des Moines Holiday Boutique will be held at the Iowa Events Center on Nov. 15 to Nov. 17.

The Des Moines Holiday Boutique features festive holiday entertainment, a café and a bar with holiday-themed drinks. Craft vendors will sell Christmas-themed gifts and holiday displays.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 16 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 17.
Tickets: $12 at desmoinesholidayboutique.com or $14 at the door. Children ages 12 and under get in free.
Location: Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines

Jingle in the Junction

Valley Junction’s Jingle in the Junction in West Des Moines returns on Thursday nights from mid-November through mid-December.

Many businesses in Valley Junction’s historic business district will extend their hours. Visitors can walk along Fifth Street or Railroad Avenue and find all manner of holiday happenings, from horse-drawn trolley rides to Christmas carolers under 125,000 holiday lights. Bars and restaurants also will be open to cater to the crowd.

Hours: 5-8 p.m. on Thursdays from Nov. 21 to Dec. 19. (excluding Thanksgiving on Nov. 28)
Location: Valley Junction, West Des Moines

Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market

Stock up on your local produce along with holiday gifts, baked goods and more at the Downtown Des Moines Winter Farmer’s Market. The weekend-long event promises an array of cozy gifts, unique holiday décor and one-of-a-kind finds.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 23 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 24
Tickets: Free event
Location: Hall B at the Iowa Events Center, 730 Third Street, Des Moines

Holiday Promenade

Ring in the holidays with the annual Holiday Promenade in the East Village, held each Friday night during the holiday season.

Carriage rides, scavenger hunts and other events are staples of this holiday market, and people can traipse from store to store. Each will extend its hours for the evening and offer treats and bargains. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars to visit for a snack or drink. East Village retailers are encouraged to remain open until 9 p.m.

Hours: 5-9 p.m. Fridays from Nov. 22 to Dec. 20.
Location: East Village, Des Moines

Christmas tree lighting at Jordan Creek Town Center

Santa Claus will light the Christmas tree at the Jordan Creek Town Center on Nov. 22.

After Santa throws a “fireball” across the lake at the shopping center, the tree will light and fireworks will ring in the holiday season.

Hours: 6-7 p.m. Nov. 22
Location: Jordan Creek Town Center Amphitheater, 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines

Fall Makers Market

Polk County Conservation’s Fall Makers Market is a free event that provides an opportunity to browse goods offered by more than 60 local makers, artists and handcrafters.

Educational holiday displays are geared to provide additional, and affordable, family fun.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 24
Location: Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger.

Festival of Trees & Lights

Every year, the Festival of Trees & Lights at the Iowa Events Center benefits Blank Children’s Hospital, with dozens of decorated trees, entertainment and stories of children cared for at the hospital. Since its creation 40 years ago, the event has raised more than $13 million for Blank Children’s Hospital. Donations can also be made online.

This year’s Festival of Trees & Lights will run from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

A Sensory Day will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for sensory-sensitive individuals of all ages.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 29-30 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1
Tickets: $5 at give.unitypoint.org/FOTLTIX or at the door.
Location: Community Choice Convention Center, 833 Fifth Ave., Des Moines

Holiday Hullabaloo

The Holiday Hullabaloo benefitting Dorothy’s House will take place each weekend starting Nov. 29 through Dec. 29.

Families can decorate cookies, create craft items in Santa Claus’ Workshop, play mini-golf and shop in the Marketplace. There also will be an indoor arena for snowball fights and a Toyland.

Dorothy’s House provides programs and resources to victims of human trafficking, exploitation and persecution.

Hours: Varies by day. Open Fridays-Sundays from Nov. 29-Dec. 29 and Dec. 23-24.
Tickets: $30 for adults or $20 for ages 4-12 and 63 or older. Season passes and other discounts available. Order at holidayhullabaloo.com or at the door.
Location: Horizon Events Center, 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive.

Christmaskindlmarket Des Moines

Christkindlmarkets are German-inspired holiday markets held in cities around the world. The Des Moines market is a free event and features merchants set up in decorated wooden huts, and musical performers and food vendors add to the festive atmosphere. Also, don’t forget the glühwein. Regional vendors will sell “old-world” hand-crafted products. Along with the German flavors, there will be craft Iowa beer to purchase.

Hours: 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 6-7 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 8
Location: Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines.

Clive’s Holiday Craft, Vendor, and Boutique Shopping Event

About 150 “in home businesses” will be on hand to sell holiday goods at the Clive event.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7
Tickets: $5 at the door
Location: Horizon Events Center (sports courts), 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive.

Holiday Makers’ Market

From jewelry to food and decor, or even treats for your pets, this free Makers’ Market promises plenty of vendors and holiday treats for everybody.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7
Location: Valley Community Center, 4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines

The Peppermint Trail

The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand and the Roosevelt Cultural District will host a relatively new holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 14. Created last year, a Peppermint Trail showcases shops, restaurants and other businesses featuring peppermint or holiday-themed specials and décor.

The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand is a nonprofit that promotes economic development along Ingersoll Avenue. Free trolly rides will shuttle shoppers between the two areas. Events, participating businesses and more details can be found at theavenuesdsm.com

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14.
Location: The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand and the Roosevelt Cultural District, Des Moines

Philip Joens covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184, pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.