Des Moines Holiday Boutique Draws 200 Vendors
The 2026 holiday marketplace at the EMC Expo Center brought more than 200 vendors and Christmas shoppers to downtown Des Moines.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Local Shops
Live Poll
Do you usually start your holiday shopping before Thanksgiving?
More than 200 vendors took part in the 2026 Des Moines Holiday Boutique on Saturday, November 7, at the EMC Expo Center in downtown Des Moines. The marketplace, which began in 2018, features small businesses, coffee stands, perfume booths and a pickle booth.
Why it matters
The event gives local shoppers a chance to buy from small businesses ahead of the holiday season in one location. Its growth since 2018 shows sustained interest in in-person local shopping in the Des Moines area.
More than 200 vendors participated in the 2026 Des Moines Holiday Boutique, held Saturday, November 7, at the EMC Expo Center. Attendance totals and overall vendor sales for the day were not reported.
The players
EMC Expo Center
The downtown Des Moines venue that hosted the 2026 Holiday Boutique marketplace.
Iowa Hawkapellas
A vocal group that performed at the 2026 Des Moines Holiday Boutique.
The details
Small businesses, coffee stands, perfume booths and a pickle booth filled the event center, while Christmas classics played throughout and shoppers sang along. The Iowa Hawkapellas and local musician Dan Trilk performed, and attendees could visit Santa.
Timeline
2018: The Des Moines Holiday Boutique marketplace began providing early holiday shopping.
Saturday, November 7, 2026: The 2026 Holiday Boutique was held at the EMC Expo Center.
Culture Shift
The Des Moines Holiday Boutique, which began in 2018, reflects a continued shift toward in-person shopping at small local businesses rather than large retailers. The 2026 edition's 200-plus vendors extend that pattern across a single downtown venue.
Shoppers looking for handmade and small-business holiday gifts can use the marketplace as a single stop for many vendors. Vendors like Simply Stella Rose used the event to test a mobile boutique booth, which took about a day and a half to set up.
The takeaway
Local holiday markets allow shoppers to compare many small businesses in one place, which can make early gift shopping easier. Checking vendor lists before attending helps identify the booths most relevant to your gift list.
Further reading
For more local vendor news, browse the Local Shops section covering Des Moines businesses.
Live Poll
Do you usually start your holiday shopping before Thanksgiving?
