9 Makers Markets This Spring in DSM

While the holidays are known for maker and craft shows, the fall and winter months aren’t the only time to find unique items created by local artists and makers. Spring offers plenty of opportunities to support these creatives and buy locally. We’ve highlighted nine markets you won’t want to miss in April and May below:

Maker + Craft Markets in Greater Des Moines

The Move 7

Head to Curate in Downtown Des Moines’ (DSM’s) Historic East Village to check out 50+ artists from across the state of Iowa at The Move 7, sponsored by B.WELL Foundation. Admission is $5 and the event will take place on Saturday, April 6 from 5 – 9 p.m.
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Photo Credit: B. Well Facebook Page

Spring Craft & Vendor Event

Head to Dyer Hudson Hall & Bingley Building at Knoxville Raceway with DeZine Metal Art for the Spring Craft & Vendor Event, which will also host the Spring Marion County Street Machines Car Show right outside. Dogs and cats will also be available for adoption thanks to the Marion County Humane Society. Don’t miss out on this event on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Knoxville.
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Photo Credit: DeZine Metal Art Facebook Page

Spring Fling Vendor & Craft Show

With more than 85 vendors, Marshalltown’s Spring Fling Vendor & Craft Show will showcase tons of items during the free event. Check it out on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
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Photo Credit: AB Events Facebook Page

Altoona Vendor Market

Stop by the Outlets of Des Moines on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. to shop Midwest vendors. This is a recurring event, so attend other spring dates on Saturday, May 11 and Saturday, May 25.
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Photo Credit: Midwest Local Vendor Market Events Facebook Page

Locally Grown Showcase Spring Market

Madrid’s The Cellar Winery will host the Locally Grown Showcase Spring Market indoors. What makes this event special? There are no booths! Instead, the event is one large pop-up shop featuring handmade items from 18 vendors. Stop by this free event on Sunday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Photo Credit: Locally Grown Showcase Facebook Page

Spring Craft Show

Summerset Winery in Indianola will host the Spring Craft Show on Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. There will be handmade craft vendors and, of course, Summerset wines.
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Photo Credit: Summerset Winery

Ankeny Arts Festival

This new Ankeny Art Center event will feature art vendors and attractions in Uptown Ankeny. The event is set for Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
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Photo Credit: Uptown Ankeny

Bondurant Vintage & Maker Market

Mother’s Day Weekend is the perfect time to attend the Bondurant Vintage & Maker Market — a first-ever event presented by Moon River Vintage, a local thrift and consignment store selling vintage home goods, clothing and more. The event, featuring 50+ vendors and makers, will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Morris Elementary School. Stop in to visit vintage vendors or try foods from a variety of food trucks.
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Photo Credit: Moon River Vintage Facebook Page

Historic Valley Junction Arts Festival

From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines will host its free Arts Festival. Shop arts and crafts while getting to know more than 50 Iowa artists and sampling food vendors and Valley Junction restaurants.
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Photo Credit: Historic Valley Junction

Other Ways to Shop Vendors in Greater Des Moines 

And don’t forget to attend First Friday events at Mainframe Studios this spring. In April, the Body of Work-themed event will be held Friday, April 5 from 5 – 8 p.m., while the May event will highlight work from local artists and support two nonprofit — City Sounds & ArtForce Iowa’s — creative projects. Makers and artists at Mainframe Studios are designing and creating art and photography, clothing, video games, jewelry and more all the time in DSM, so attend an event, take a class or even schedule a tour that includes an artist demo or workshop.

The Iowa State Fairgrounds holds monthly Flea Market events as well. You can catch spring events taking place Saturday, April 6 – Sunday, April 7 and Saturday, May 4 – Sunday, May 5 at the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building. Saturday events are held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday events are from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Then, this fall, don’t miss the Fall Makers Market at Jester Park Nature Center in Granger, the Vintage and Made Fair in Adel or Iowa’s Largest Arts & Craft Show at Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, among others, as holiday shopping ramps up for 2024.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the "Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.