Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market: Vendors, Food & What to Expect

Season Schedule and Hours

For 2026, the organizer lists Saturdays May 2–October 31 in the Historic Court District. Hours are 7 AM–noon, changing to 8 AM–noon in October. Those dates describe that season; they do not establish a November market or the 2027 calendar.

Use the official Saturday Market page to check a future visit. The regular Saturday season and any separately announced winter market are different schedules. Read the event name and date together before setting out.

What You'll Find at the Market

The organizer’s product categories include produce, eggs, meat, cheese, flowers, baked goods, artisan packaged food, handmade art and ready-to-eat food. Fall offerings include squash, apples and pumpkins. A category is a useful starting point, not a guarantee that a particular stall has a particular item on your date.

Choose the kind of visit you want: buying ingredients for meals, browsing handmade work or picking up prepared food. Make a short list if you are shopping for home. Leave room to compare items without planning every purchase in advance.

Planning Your Visit

Check the opening time for your month and decide what you want to do before the noon close. Consider the amount you can comfortably carry, especially if you want groceries and a meal during the same visit.

Bring bags suited to your purchases and plan how you will get perishable food home. Ask vendors about payment methods and product questions rather than assuming one arrangement covers every stall. Check the forecast before choosing clothing and footwear for an outdoor shopping trip.

Use the published vendor information to identify a business you specifically want to visit. If availability matters, confirm with that vendor. Arriving at a particular hour does not guarantee a product or a shorter queue.

Visitor Information and Policies

The market's official FAQ page covers admission, pets, and shopping policies. Reviewing these guidelines before your first visit helps you know what to expect and ensures a smooth experience for everyone.

Specific questions about what's allowed, parking, accessibility, or other visitor concerns are best answered by consulting the official FAQ rather than assuming standard policies apply. Market rules can differ from other public events, and organizers update their guidance as needed.

Other Des Moines Events

The farmers' market is one piece of Des Moines' seasonal event calendar. Catch Des Moines tracks broader regional events and annual festivals throughout Greater Des Moines, helping you discover what else is happening during your visit.

For a separate ticketed outing, explore the Des Moines events calendar. The food events guide compares market shopping with the World Food & Music Festival and the State Fair.

Before you head out

Questions, answered