# Des Moines Christmas Market 2026

> Des Moines Christmas Market in Des Moines, Iowa: Dec 3 to 13, 2026. Hours, closed days, admission and where it is, checked against the organizer.

Source: https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/des-moines-christkindlmarket/

Des Moines, [Iowa](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/states/iowa/)

Official name: Christkindlmarket Des Moines

Thursday, December 3 to Sunday, December 13, 2026

| Dates | Thursday, December 3 to Sunday, December 13, 2026 |
| --- | --- |
| Days Closed | Open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only |
| Hours | Thursday: **5 pm to 9 pm** Friday and Saturday: **11 am to 9 pm** Sunday: **11 am to 5 pm** |
| Where | Principal Park, the downtown ballpark by the Raccoon River 1 Line Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309 [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=41.5802,-93.6166) |
| Admission | Free admission |
| Dogs | The organizer bills the market as kid- and pet-friendly. |
| Organizer | Christkindlmarket Des Moines. [Official website](https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/) |
| Plan Your Trip | [Hotels for December 5](https://www.stay22.com/allez/roam?aid=bobbleventures&lat=41.5802&lng=-93.6166&address=Des%20Moines%2C%20IA%2C%20USA&checkin=2026-12-05&checkout=2026-12-06&currency=USD&campaign=bcmus_des_moines_christkindlmarket_top) Map [affiliate](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/affiliate-disclosure/) |

## Checked Against the Source

These dates and hours come from the organizer's own website, not from another guide.

- [Christkindlmarket Des Moines](https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/), checked November 4, 2026
- [Catch Des Moines](https://www.catchdesmoines.com/blog/stories/post/holiday-events-in-greater-des-moines/), checked October 26, 2026

Outdoor markets can close early for weather. On the day, check the [official website](https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/). Something out of date? [Let us know](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/contact/).

## Des Moines Christmas Market: Quick Answers

### When does Des Moines Christmas Market open in 2026?

It opens on Thursday, December 3, 2026.

### When does Des Moines Christmas Market close for the season?

The last day is Sunday, December 13, 2026.

### What are Des Moines Christmas Market's hours?

Thursday 5 pm to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday 11 am to 9 pm; Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.

### Is Des Moines Christmas Market open every day?

Open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

### Where is Des Moines Christmas Market?

Principal Park, the downtown ballpark by the Raccoon River, in Des Moines, Iowa. The address is 1 Line Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309.

### Is Des Moines Christmas Market free, or do you need a ticket?

It is free to get in.

## About Des Moines Christmas Market

A European-style Christmas market at Principal Park over two long weekends in December, with local vendors in wooden stalls, German food, Glühwein, cultural entertainment and a KinderKorner for children.

## Where Is Des Moines Christmas Market?

Principal Park, the downtown ballpark by the Raccoon River, 1 Line Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309. The other dots are nearby markets.

## Getting There, Parking and More

### Parking

The market fills Lot 1 at Principal Park. Free parking for visitors is in Lots 3 and 4 during market hours, and stalls for vehicles with a visible disability permit are in Lot 2, entered from Water Street off eastbound Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. The organizer warns not to park in the Ballyard Apartments lot (Lot 5), which is private and tows. City garages downtown charge $1 an hour up to $10 a day Monday to Saturday, with a $5 or $10 flat rate during downtown events when signs at the entrance say so.

| Parking | Location | Rate (October 2026) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lots 3 and 4 | Principal Park | Free during market hours |
| Lot 2 (accessible) | Principal Park, entered from Water St | Accessible stalls with a visible permit |
| City lots B and C | 325 and 444 SW 5th St | $5 an hour, may vary |
| City garage | 3rd and Court | $1 an hour, $10 a day max; event $5 to $20 |

Source: [Christkindlmarket Des Moines](https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/parking/), checked October 28, 2026.

### Accessibility

Stalls for vehicles with a visible disability permit are in Lot 2, entered from Water Street. Service dogs are allowed on the festival site. Pets are welcome on a short leash, but the organizer asks owners to leave them home when it is too cold. Bikes, skateboards and roller blades are not allowed on site, and bikes must be walked through.

Source: [Christkindlmarket Des Moines](https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/parking/), [page 2](https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/information-and-policies/), checked October 28, 2026.

### Hotels Near Des Moines Christmas Market

Principal Park is at the south edge of downtown, where the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers meet. The Court Avenue District is a few blocks north, and the rest of downtown and the East Village across the Des Moines River are within about 15 to 20 minutes on foot.

**Staying the night?** [See hotels near Des Moines Christmas Market for Saturday, December 5](https://www.stay22.com/allez/roam?aid=bobbleventures&lat=41.5802&lng=-93.6166&address=Des%20Moines%2C%20IA%2C%20USA&checkin=2026-12-05&checkout=2026-12-06&currency=USD&campaign=bcmus_des_moines_christkindlmarket_link) [affiliate link](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/affiliate-disclosure/), or browse them on the map.

Map by Stay22. It loads only when you press the button. [affiliate](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/affiliate-disclosure/)

## Questions People Ask

**Is parking free at Christkindlmarket Des Moines?**

Yes, in Lots 3 and 4 at Principal Park during market hours. Do not use Lot 5, the Ballyard Apartments lot, which is private and tows.

**Where is accessible parking?**

In Lot 2, for vehicles with a visible permit. Enter from Water Street off eastbound Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.

**Can I bring my dog?**

Yes, on a short leash. The organizer asks you to leave pets at home if it is too cold, and service dogs are allowed.

**Can I bring my own drinks?**

No outside drinks are allowed. Alcohol is sold to those 21 and over with ID and must stay on site.

## Have You Been to Des Moines Christmas Market?

Tell other visitors whether it was worth the trip. One vote per market, no account needed.

## Other Christmas Markets Nearby

[Des Moines Holiday Farmers Market  Des Moines, Iowa  Nov 20 to 22, 2026  Under a mile away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/des-moines-winter-farmers-market/) [Des Moines Holiday Market  Des Moines, Iowa  Nov 6 to 8, 2026  Under a mile away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/des-moines-holiday-boutique/) [Local Holiday Makers Market at Valley Community Center  West Des Moines, Iowa  Dec 5, 2026  8 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/west-des-moines-local-holiday-makers-market/) [Winterset Holiday Market  Winterset, Iowa  Dec 11 to 12, 2026  27 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/winterset-winter-solstice-market/) [Pella Christmas Market  Pella, Iowa  Dec 3 to 5, 2026  38 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/pella-kerstmarkt/) [Cedar Rapids Holiday Market  Cedar Rapids, Iowa  Nov 28 to 29, 2026  103 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/cedar-rapids-made-in-iowa-holiday-market/)

[Christmas Markets Near Des Moines](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/near/des-moines/) [More Christmas Markets in Iowa](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/states/iowa/)