Saturday mornings
The Downtown Farmers' Market, out the door
The Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market runs on Court Avenue through the district both buildings sit in. On a Saturday morning in season you walk downstairs to it instead of driving across town.
What it is and who runs it
The Downtown Farmers' Market is produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and sets up in the Historic Court District, on and around Court Avenue. It is one of the larger markets in the region, with produce, food vendors and local makers. It has run for more than fifty years.
The season runs on Saturday mornings from May through October. The Partnership sets the exact dates, hours and layout and changes them year to year, so check the current schedule on the Partnership's site, dsmpartnership.com, before you plan around it. We do not restate the hours here because they move.
Why it matters from here
The point of the address is that the market is on the street, not a drive away. You carry the bags home on foot. The Hy-Vee on Court Avenue, about 0.1 mile away, covers the weeks the market is closed and the things it does not sell, on the groceries and errands page.
The rest of the weekend
The market is the Saturday morning. The things to do page has Principal Park, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the riverwalk for the rest of it, and restaurants and nightlife has the evening. Court & Marketplace rents one- and two-bedroom homes across both buildings, 308 and 312 Court Ave, with an in-unit washer and dryer in most homes and bulk internet included with rent. Live floor plans and today’s pricing are on the availability page.
Questions people ask
When is the Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market?
Saturday mornings, May through October. The Greater Des Moines Partnership sets the exact dates and hours each year and changes them, so confirm on dsmpartnership.com before planning around it.
Where is the Downtown Farmers' Market held?
In the Historic Court District on and around Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines, the same blocks Court Avenue Lofts and Market Place Lofts sit on.
Who runs the Downtown Farmers' Market?
The Greater Des Moines Partnership produces it. The schedule is theirs, not the property's or Newbury Living's, and is subject to change.
Can I walk to the Farmers' Market from Court & Marketplace?
Yes. The market sets up on Court Avenue, the street both buildings are on, so in season it is a walk downstairs rather than a drive.
Market operator, season and location are from the Greater Des Moines Partnership (dsmpartnership.com), October 2026. Dates and hours are set by the Partnership and change each year.
More about living here
- Living in the Court Avenue District
- Parks and trails near Court Avenue
- Groceries and everyday errands downtown
- Eating and drinking on Court Avenue
- Getting around from Court Avenue
- Things to do downtown
- Court Avenue Lofts and Market Place Lofts: which is which
- The floor plans, explained
- The fitness center, business center and lounge
- Pet-friendly apartments on Court Avenue
- How to apply at Court & Marketplace
- Working from home on Court Avenue
- What residents say about Court & Marketplace
- The Court Avenue District guide
- All questions