How to Make Your Way to the 2022 Downtown Farmers' Market

Opening Day at the Downtown Farmers’ Market is just around the corner — Saturday, May 7 — and we want to make sure you know the best way to get to Downtown Des Moines (DSM) and where to park once you’ve gotten to The Market. Don’t miss out on new local vendors, live entertainment and weekly programming that will help you get more involved with the DSM community. It’s all happening from 7 a.m. until Noon at The Market, with shortened hours — 8 a.m. until Noon — in October. (The Market takes place on Saturdays May through October.)

Directions

Find the Polk County Courthouse, with its grey peaked roof at the west end of The Market in Historic Court District. Vendors are set up outdoors along Court Avenue and the adjacent side streets. There is no mailing address for The Market, but you can use 300 Court Ave., Des Moines to find your way.

Parking

There are free and paid parking meters, lots and garages on surrounding streets of The Market. Recently, the City of Des Moines has begun the process of replacing old meters with new parking meters that allow you to pay at one of 400 pay stations or on the ParkDSM app on your mobile device. Rates around Court Avenue cost between $.75 and $1.25 per hour. The parking garage closest to the Farmers’ Market at 235 5th Avenue is around $1 per hour with a $10 daily max (excluding special events). Do you have more questions about parking in Downtown DSM? Contact the City’s Traffic & Transportation Division staff at transportation@dmgov.org.

Looking for alternative methods of transportation? The free Downtown Farmers’ Market Shuttle, with its extended service just for The Market, makes it easy to park along the shuttle route and be dropped off nearby. The buses run every 15 minutes on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and when you download the MyDART app you can get real-time arrival of the buses on your iPhone or Android.

Lastly, Market visitors who live close to Downtown can ride their bikes and park free in The Market’s secure bike valet. Staffed by the Street Collective, the bike valet is located inside the Terrus Real Estate Group parking ramp at the southeast corner of Second and Court Avenue.

We hope to see you at Opening Day on Saturday, May 7 and every Saturday after to find the latest in local food, gifts and more.

From May to October, experience local artists, live music and entertainment at the Downtown Farmers’ Market featuring nearly 300 family farmers, bakers, artists and crafters from around the state. It’s easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options.