Holiday Markets, Craft Shows, and Vendor Fairs in the Iowa City Corridor

It’s here–the biggest shopping season of the year is now upon us. Though Christmas is not for more than 50 days, by early November we’re already thinking about what to get for our kids, friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers.

Many of us wait until Black Friday and Cyber Monday to score the best deals at the big box stores. I used to shop that way, too. But this year I am going to shop local when I can and support independent businesses, crafters, and artisans. Not only will my money be kept close to home, but my loved ones will have gifts that are much more unique than in years past.

Below are 18 holiday markets in the Iowa City area that I’ll be shopping at for my gifts this year. I can’t wait for the festive spirit that awaits me when I browse the tables at these bazaars. I’ll probably feel much more jolly than I do when waiting in the long lines at Target and Best Buy, because many of these events feature live music, food, drinks, and activities for kids.

Also, don’t forget about Shop Small Saturday on November 26 as another way to support your local businesses.

holiday-market-craft-show-vendor-fair-2


A Very Merry Christmas in The Barn

The Barn | 3271 V Ave. Wellman

When 

Nov 4-5
Friday 4pm-8pm
Saturday 9am-3pm

Details

Admission: $3
Event Page
Description: Eclectic mix of vintage, nostalgic, new, and old items in The Barn from the four “Barn girls”


Holiday Arts & Crafts Show

Riverside Casino and Golf Resort | 3184 Highway 22, Riverside

When 

Nov 5-6
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. both days

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: Vendor fair featuring Midwestern-made woodwork, pottery, holiday décor, holiday gift items, and more


2nd Annual Holiday Bazaar

Kirkwood Training & Outreach Services | 3375 Armar Dr., Marion

When 

Nov 12
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: A variety of crafters and direct sales consultants
Other Entertainment: Free entertainment provided by Prairie Land Entertainment
Charity Support: Last Hope Animal Rescue


Holiday Bazaar Craft & Vendor Show

Hoover Elementary School | 148 N Oliphant St., West Branch

When 

Nov 13
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: A variety of crafters and direct sales consultants


Toys for Tots 4th Annual Christmas Vendor Show

Cedar Rapids Marriott | 1200 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids

When 

Nov 13
10 am. – 3 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: Over 40 vendors and direct sales consultants
Charity Support: Toys for Tots, requests donations of new and unwrapped toys


8th Annual Grace Baptist Church Holiday Bazaar/ Flea Market

Grace Baptist Church | 1461 E Post Rd., Marion

When

Nov 18-19
Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m – 1 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: A variety of crafters, vintage items, and direct sales consultants
Other Entertainment: Free swag bags for the first 50 guests


Prairiewoods Holiday Bazaar

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center | 120 E Boyson Rd., Hiawatha

When 

Nov 19
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Pages: Facebook event and website 
Description: Handmade goods from 13 local vendors, fair trade items from developing nations, and baked goods
Other Entertainment: Pastries and coffee available before event and lunch available during event
Charity Support: African Women Empowered selling handmade items that support African women refugees in Cedar Rapids


Holiday Market at Baby Time

Baby Time | 4341 1st Ave. SE Suite 123, Cedar Rapids

When 

Nov 19

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: Vendor fair of locally made mom and baby items


Iowa City Holiday Market

Robert A. Lee Recreation Center | 220 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City

When 

Nov 19, Dec 10
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. both days

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page: November 19 and December 10
Description: Indoor version of the Iowa City Farmer’s Market featuring handcrafted and homegrown items from farmer’s market vendors


Cedar Rapids Festival of Trees and Holiday Market

Doubletree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex | 350 1st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids

When 

Nov 19-20
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days

Details

Admission: Free
Event Pages: Facebook and Gazette 
Description: Over 30 local vendors
Other Entertainment: Live music; trees decorated by local businesses, organizations, and artists; and a Children’s Room with Santa
Charity Support: Trees auctioned off to support Cedar Rapids Jaycees, HACAP, Shoes for Kids, and Toys for Tots


Corridor Arts and Crafts at Bella Sala

Bella Sala | 205 S. Park Rd., Tiffin

When 

Nov 20
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Details

Admission: $5
Event Page
Description: Vendor fair with over 60 local businesses selling handcrafted items
Other Entertainment: Live music from Zachary Freedom, craft beer and wine samples, food from Stonewall Brick Oven Pizza and Local Burrito, and face painting and craft bags for kids


St. James Winter Vendor Show

St. James United Methodist Church | 1430 Ellis Blvd. NW, Cedar Rapids

When 

Nov 26
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: A variety of crafters and direct sales consultants and a silent auction
Other Entertainment: Concessions available


Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation’s 5th Annual Arts & Crafts Bazaar

Iowa City Public Library | Meeting Room A | 123 S Linn St., Iowa City

When 

Dec 3
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page:  Facebook and ICPL  
Description: Handcrafted items including holiday décor, jewelry, and quilts donated by local artisans
Charity Support: All items are donated and proceeds support the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation


Old World Christmas Market 

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library | 1400 Inspiration Pl. SW, Cedar Rapids

When 

Dec 3-4
Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page: Facebook and NCSML
Description: Imports and handmade gifts
Other entertainment: Live music and dance performances, seasonal treats, free family activities, and free admission to museum exhibition galleries


2nd Annual Holiday Craft Fair

Clear Creek Amana High School | 551 W Marengo Rd., Tiffin

When 

Dec 4
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free will donation at the door
Event Page
Description: Local crafters/handmade items
Other Entertainment: Cookie walk, concessions, and pictures with Santa
Charity Support: Free will donation supports CCAHS color guard, cookie walk supports marching band


Kids Holiday Bazaar

Linn Grove Elementary School | 2301 50th St., Marion

When 

Dec 10
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: Craft fair for kids to shop for the holiday gifts they are giving, nothing priced over $10 and free gift wrapping


A Handcrafted Christmas

Muscatine Mall | 1903 Park Ave., Muscatine

When 

Dec 10
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: Vendor fair of handcrafted items including wooden crafts, soaps, baked goods, holiday décor, jewelry, quilts, and more
Other Entertainment: Live music


Downtown Holiday Market Presented by UICCU

Black Hawk Mini Park | Ped Mall, Iowa City

When

Dec 10
10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Details

Admission: Free
Event Page
Description: Ped mall in downtown Iowa City will feature a decorated tent where shoppers can browse holiday gifts from downtown stores
Other entertainment: Cash bar


Created In Iowa

Coral Ridge Mall | 1451 Coral Ridge Ave, Coralville, IA 52241

When

Mall Hours throughout the holiday season

Details

Admission: Free
Facebook Page
Description: Handmade goods, crafts, and gifts from local artists and makers!


Happy Shopping, and thank you for supporting our local artists and vendors! 


 

Brigette
Brigette lives in North Liberty with her husband Brian, energetic daughter Kate (October 2014) and their two cats, Penny and Olive. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Brigette came to Iowa City to attend the journalism school at the University of Iowa, fell in love with the area, and decided she couldn’t leave. After meeting Brian while working at the same Iowa City restaurant in college, they got married in August 2015 in the heart of downtown. She works full time in project management and as an employee of the Core Fitness Kids Club while finishing her MBA at Upper Iowa University. In her free time, she drags Kate out garage sale-ing, tries to keep up with her reading list and runs, lives for Hawkeye football season, enjoys a good meal on a patio, runs her Bachelor/Bachelorette bracket with her family and friends, and of course, chases her daughter around the pool and the park.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Hi this is a great listing. Would you be able to put a blurb on your page for the Created In Iowa store that is open in Coral Ridge mall? We are back by Barnes and Noble with just an outside entrance so I don’t know that a lot of people know we are there. 30+ vendors with amazing handmade items. Thanks!

    • I’m an African student who will be at the University of Iowa and was wondering if I could come with some African crafts to sell.

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