The Unity Point-sponsored event celebrates 50 years this season
Every year, from May to October, the city of Des Moines blocks off a majority of downtown in the historic Court District as hundreds of residents and visitors enjoy a summer weekend staple: the farmer’s market.
Starting in 1976, along the streets of Eighth and Mulberry in a single parking lot, vendors have found their place within the market. Since its inception, the number of individual sellers and businesses has grown from just fifteen to over three hundred at the start of the 2025 season. The market now spans twelve city blocks.
This year, the market has expanded once again, its boundary now marked at Fifth Avenue from Mulberry to Cherry Street. The expansion allows space for twenty-two more vendors and four additional food trucks.
A total of forty-eight new vendors will be available this year.
The comforts of friendly faces
Over 25,000 individuals are expected to descend upon Des Moines over the coming months – the opportunity of local, organic products too good a lure to pass up.
A familiar camaraderie amongst shoppers and vendors is another common reason for such a pilgrimage. Iowa nice, as the people say.
Some of these vendors have been around since the beginning! What would a Saturday in the summer be like without the Iowa Coffee Company close by?
Bakeries, wineries, coffee shops, clothing boutiques, produce growers, and other artisan businesses from not only Iowa, but a variety of midwestern states as well, can be found all along the streets. Fresh bouquets of sunflowers and other floral arrangements are popular purchases for market goers.
Every weekend, come rain or shine, the market, which was ranked number two in farmers’ markets by Shape magazine, opens from 7 am until noon. A later opening of 8 am begins in the closing weeks of October.
Aside from shopping, those who venture down to Court Avenue can enjoy a variety of live performers and other street artists.
You have the opportunity to experience all of this and more from May 3rd through October 25th
Parking is available on the street side as well as in multiple garages, though entry fees may vary. If reasonable, the organizers highlight bike riding, walking, or the use of public transportation.
The local DART buses are a great, money-friendly option that run from multiple stops near the market district.
You can’t miss all the fiftieth anniversary fun!
