Everything You Need to Know for the CR Downtown Farmers Market

Can you believe this year marks 20 years of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market?! The 2025 market season officially kicks off this Saturday, June 7th. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the first one of the year:

What's the 2025 Schedule for the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market?

Each market takes place on a Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., rain or shine. Here are all of the 2025 dates:

June 7th
June 21st
July 5th
July 19th
August 2nd
August 16th
September 6th
September 20th

Will There Be a 'Market After Dark' This Year?

Absolutely! The annual Market After Dark has become one of Cedar Rapids' most popular events over the past few years, drawing in anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 people. The 2025 Market After Dark is set for Saturday, August 23rd from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. More information on the special market will be announced as the date gets closer.

Does it Cost Anything to Get Into the Farmers Markets?

Nope! No admission fee means that you can spend your money on one of the MANY great vendors at the market!

How Many Vendors Will Be There?

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance website says that there will be around 200 "amazing market vendors," selling everything from produce, flowers, and prepared food, to homemade goods, wine, and clothing. You can check out an interactive vendor map/vendor list for the upcoming Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market HERE.

Where Do I Park?

There is quite a bit of street parking outside of the confines of the market (if you get there early enough), but there are also several parking ramps available to shoppers:

Five Seasons Ramp - 1st Ave between 4th St & 5th St
GTC Ramp - Enter from 5th Ave between 2nd St & 3rd St
South Side Ramp - 2nd St between 6th Ave & 7th Ave
Convention Center Ramp - 1st Ave between 3rd St & 4th St

*It's also important to remember that some parking lots in the downtown area belong to businesses that are OPEN during market hours, so be careful about parking in specific business lots. My gym, Hard Drive Performance Center, is right outside of the market, and sometimes our members have to park blocks away because of people filling up our lot.*

The streets that are closed off during the markets include:

2nd Ave between 2nd St & 5th St
2nd St between 2nd Ave & 4th Ave
3rd Ave between 2nd St & 5th St
3rd St between 2nd Ave & 4th Ave
4th Ave between 2nd St & 5th St
5th St between 2nd Ave & 4th Ave

Other Tips for Shoppers

Bring a bag or two to hold all of your goodies
Pets are allowed, but it's recommended that you leave them at home due to large crowds. If you do decided to bring your pup, here are the rules you need to abide by:
1. Keep them on a leash no longer than three feet
2. Clean up after them
3. Don't allow them near produce, plants, or prepared food
4. Make sure they are well-behaved and comfortable around other dogs and people
5. Remember that not everyone likes dogs, so be sure to keep them under control at all times - if you don't follow these rules, you may be asked to leave
There is no smoking within the boundaries of the market

For more details on the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Markets, visit the official website HERE. Happy shopping!

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