# Christmas markets and winter wonderlands in Des Moines, 2026

> Markets open Nov 19–Dec 3 near Des Moines in 2026. Christkindlmarket Des Moines opens Dec 3 and runs through Dec 13. Jingle in the Junction opens Nov 19 and runs through Dec 17, with free admission. Jolly Holiday Lights opens Nov 20 and runs through Jan 3. The last opening date on this page is Dec 3.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 3 markets and winter events with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/des-moines/christmas-markets/
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## When they open

- **Jingle in the Junction** (West Des Moines, IA): opens Nov 19. Hours: Thursdays Nov 19, Dec 3, Dec 10 and Dec 17, 5 to 8 p.m.
- **Jolly Holiday Lights** (Des Moines, IA): opens Nov 20. Hours: Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m.; Dec. 20–27 5:30–10 p.m.
- **Christkindlmarket Des Moines** (Des Moines, IA): opens Dec 3. Hours: Thu 5 to 9 p.m.; Fri and Sat 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec 3 to 6 and 10 to 13.

## Markets and winter events

- **Jingle in the Junction** at 5th Street and Railroad Park, 401 Railroad Pl., West Des Moines, IA · Valley Junction, about 5 miles away. When: Open Nov 19–Dec 17, 2026. Time: Thursdays Nov 19, Dec 3, Dec 10 and Dec 17, 5 to 8 p.m. Price: Free entertainment on 5th Street. Type: Holiday market. Hours: Thursdays Nov 19, Dec 3, Dec 10 and Dec 17, 5 to 8 p.m. Shops stay open late on Thursday nights and three blocks of 5th Street get street entertainment under more than 100,000 lights. Official page: https://valleyjunction.com/valley-junction-events/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Jolly Holiday Lights** at Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, IA · about 4 miles away. When: Open Nov 20–Jan 3, 2026. Time: Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m.; Dec. 20–27 5:30–10 p.m. Price: $25 per vehicle; bus, limo or RV $50; season pass $65. Taxes and fees not included. Type: Winter wonderland. Hours: Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m.; Dec. 20–27 5:30–10 p.m. Strollers: A drive-through show, so the little ones can stay buckled in. One ticket covers the vehicle. $1 of each ticket goes to Make-A-Wish Iowa. The pricing page lists a flash sale through Friday, Nov. 13 at 11:59 p.m. The organizer’s pages do not post a parking plan. Check the organizer for details. Official page: https://www.jollyholiday-lights.com/pricing (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Christkindlmarket Des Moines** at Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines, IA · about 1 mile away. When: Open Dec 3–13, 2026. Time: Thu 5 to 9 p.m.; Fri and Sat 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec 3 to 6 and 10 to 13. Price: Not listed. Type: German-style market. Hours: Thu 5 to 9 p.m.; Fri and Sat 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec 3 to 6 and 10 to 13. For kids: A kids area, German food and demonstrations at the ballpark. Official page: https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/about/2026-dates-and-times/ (checked 2026-10-30)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening.
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## FAQ

### When do Christmas markets open in Des Moines?
Most Des Moines holiday markets open between Nov 19 and Nov 20 this year. The first Christmas market on this page opens Nov 19, 2026. The last opening date on this page is Dec 3. Jingle in the Junction opens Nov 19 and runs through Dec 17. Jolly Holiday Lights opens Nov 20 and runs through Jan 3. Christkindlmarket Des Moines opens Dec 3 and runs through Dec 13.

### Are there Christmas markets in Des Moines in 2026?
Jingle in the Junction at 5th Street and Railroad Park, 401 Railroad Pl.: Thu Nov 19, Thu Dec 3, Thu Dec 10 and Thu Dec 17. Free entertainment on 5th Street. Jolly Holiday Lights at Iowa State Fairgrounds: Nov 20 – Jan 3. $25 per vehicle; bus, limo or RV $50; season pass $65. Taxes and fees not included. Christkindlmarket Des Moines at Principal Park, 1 Line Drive: Dec 3 – Dec 13. Not listed.

### Is there a German Christmas market (Christkindlmarkt) near Des Moines?
Christkindlmarket Des Moines (Des Moines, IA · about 1 mile away): Dec 3 – Dec 13.

### When does the Christkindlmarket open in 2026?
Christkindlmarket Des Moines at Principal Park, 1 Line Drive opens Dec 3 and runs through Dec 13. Dates are from each market’s own page.

### Where is there a winter wonderland for kids near Des Moines?
Jolly Holiday Lights (Des Moines, IA · about 4 miles away): Nov 20 – Jan 3, $25 per vehicle; bus, limo or RV $50; season pass $65. Taxes and fees not included.

### Can I bring a stroller?
Jolly Holiday Lights: A drive-through show, so the little ones can stay buckled in.

### How do you check these markets?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).