Downtown Farmers' Market - Winter Season

The Downtown Farmers’ Market – Winter Season will be held the Saturdays before Thanksgiving and Christmas on Nov. 21 and Dec. 19, from 9 a.m.  - 1 p.m. located inside Capital Square and outdoors at Nollen Plaza, 400 Locust Street in Downtown Des Moines.   The location for the Winter Season is only half a block north of the current farmers’ market location. This is the fourth year for the additional markets to be offered. 

The Friday lunch hour preview will be back again this year. On Friday, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, the Downtown Farmers’ Market – Winter Season will be open to the public from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The lunch hour preview will offer a sneak peak of the market with lots of food and shopping. Prepared Market favorites will also be available for the lunch crowd.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market – Winter Season is a perfect opportunity to stock up for holiday meals, parties, and gift giving.  More than 120 vendors will be present. Farmers will be selling a variety of locally raised products including eggs, beef, pork, duck, turkeys, holiday hams, and, of course, produce - there will be a variety of late season and greenhouse produce available.  Shoppers can also expect to find an abundance of fresh homemade products including locally produced honey, jams, salsa, wine, cheese, soy nuts, homemade noodles, baked breads, pies and cinnamon rolls. Market patrons will also find beautiful winter flowers such as poinsettias, fresh cut Christmas trees, hand-made holiday ornaments and home decorations at these festive farmers markets. 

“Our Market patrons and vendors have really embraced the two additional winter season markets over the past three years. They provide an opportunity for farmers and specialty food vendors, as well as local artist and crafters, to continue to sell their local product directly to enthusiastic farmers’ market customers beyond the normal farmers’ market season,” explains Kelly Foss, director of the Downtown Farmers’ Market.  “We are excited to bring back the Friday preview to downtown workers. More than 80 of our Farmers Market vendors will be present on Friday, offering an impressive taste of the full market on Saturday.”

The heart of the Downtown Farmers’ Market – Winter Season is a celebration of local food.  Patrons will also enjoy the market ambiance created especially to celebrate harvest, winter, and the holiday season.  The farmers’ markets will features a wide variety of holiday activities for the entire family, including musicians playing holiday music, strolling carolers, and artist demonstrations, kids’ activities and more.