Eastern Iowa’s Largest Holiday Market Takes Place Thanksgiving Weekend

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – November 18, 2025 – Eastern Iowa’s Largest Holiday Market takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving, Saturday, Nov 29, and Sunday, Nov 30, the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Featuring 177 vendors over two festive days, Made in Iowa Holiday Market gives consumers the opportunity to shop with home-based businesses and small businesses that typically cannot participate in traditional holiday retail events during this critical holiday shopping weekend. 

Held indoors at the Hawkeye Downs Expo Center, the market invites attendees to shop, sip, and celebrate the season while discovering handmade gifts, holiday décor, local foods, apparel, home goods, and one-of-a-kind creations. 109 vendors will be on both days. 31 vendors will be on Saturday only. 37 vendors will be on Sunday only. Visit the website for details on which vendors are there on which days. https://marionsun.com/holidaymarket2025/

Event Info:

Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
🕙 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📅 Date: Sunday, November 30, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Hawkeye Downs Expo Center
4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-4431, United States
Tickets are only $5. Kids under 12 are free.
**  Free Parking
 

“Events like the Made in Iowa Holiday Market give our community a chance to support home-based and small independent businesses that have been working for months to prepare for this weekend,” said Christopher V. Sherman, co-founder of Made in Iowa and Artists Sunday. “It’s the best way to do your holiday shopping — meaningful, local, and all under one roof.”

Plus, enjoy festive fun for the whole family:

  •  Free Candy Canes – While supplies last , provided  by Midwest Bath  

  •  Live Music by Tom Nothnagle – Iowa City’s own guitarist will fill the hall with music on Saturday, November 29.

  •  Photos with Santa – Bring your camera on Sunday, November 30 from 1–4 PM to snap a holiday photo!

  •  Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale – Performing Christmas carols Sunday from 2–3 PM, and hosting a free bag-holding station to give your arms a break so you can do more shopping!

  •  Toys for Tots Donation Bins – Located in the lobby for anyone who wishes to drop off new, unwrapped toys to support local families.

  •  Face Painting – Add a little sparkle to your day!

Celebrating 6 Years of Artists Sunday

Sunday, November 30, also marks the 6th anniversary of Artists Sunday®, the national arts shopping movement founded in Marion, Iowa. Observed annually on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Artists Sunday encourages shoppers to support local artists, creators, and performers, much like Black Friday or Small Business Saturday, but dedicated to the arts.

Participants include professional artists, arts organizations, chambers of commerce, municipalities, state agencies, and thousands of artists nationwide.

Made in Iowa co-founders Christopher V. Sherman and Cynthia Freese co-founded the Artists Sunday movement in 2020. Participation is free for artists, nonprofits, and businesses. Learn more at https://ArtistsSunday.com

About Made in Iowa

Made in Iowa curates high-quality vendor markets celebrating the talent and creativity of Iowa’s makers. Events regularly feature 150+ vendors from dozens of communities across the state and thousands of attendees. Upcoming Made in Iowa dates include Dec. 20–21, Jan. 31–Feb. 1, and April 18. The Made for Her Market – a celebration of women and the things they love – takes place March 14, 2026. Learn more at MadeInIowa.org.