(Atlantic) Atlantic is known for grand Christmas celebrations and great farmers’ markets, and Produce in the Park’s Christmas Market brings both together. The 2025 Christmas Market is scheduled for Saturday, December 20, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (1100 Maple St., Atlantic, IA 50022). This farmers market takes place the Saturday before Christmas–the perfect time to buy produce, meats, and baked goods, shop for holiday and hostess gifts, and enjoy festive hot cocoa and indoor activities for the whole family.
Christmas Market vendors will be selling a wide selection of local foods and handmade crafts. With growing attention in both regional and national news on the Produce, Christmas Market shoppers will be pleased to find fresh greens (spinach, lettuce, kale, arugula, and bok choi), as well as potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, onions, garlic, and carrots. Other local food at the market will include local meats (beef, lamb, chicken, and pork), farm-fresh eggs, honey, salsa, freeze-dried snacks, and baked goods, including sourdough bread, cookies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, Kringle, and seasonal sweets such as peanut brittle and candied nuts.
In addition to local foods, Christmas Market vendors will be selling a variety of craft items, including handmade watercolor paintings, leatherwork such as bags and wallets, wood crafts, candles and wax melts, holiday decorations, potted plants, jewelry, crocheted toys and clothing items, and bath and body products such as soaps, sugar scrubs, and beard oils.
Food truck Spirits of the Faire will be set up outside the YMCA, selling a variety of festive drinks. Options include hot cocoa in flavors such as Peppermint, Mexican Style, and Caramel Delight, plus Italian sodas and specialty drinks, including Ice Pumpkin Pie cold brew and Spiced Apple Pie made with chai tea.
The ChristNishna Valley Family YMCA hosts an annual Produce in the Park, prioritizing family-friendly events, and the Christmas Market promises not to disappoint. Market vendors will be selling balloon animals and offering face painting. The YMCA will provide a bounce house for market visitors to enjoy for free, and A Community for Kids is supplying a giant gingerbread house for kids of all ages to help decorate. Spirits of the Faire food truck will also have a photo booth set up. Lastly, while not part of the Christmas Market itself, the YMCA will host a “Snowballs and Shenanigans” event at their indoor pool during the Christmas farmers market (also 10 a.m. – noon). The Snowballs and Shenanigans event is free to YMCA members; non-members must pay the YMCA’s visitor fees.
All are welcome to Produce in the Park farmers’ markets, and admission is free. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items.
The Christmas Market is one of five markets in the Park’s Holiday Market Series. Additional farmers’ markets in the 2025-2026 series include Sweetheart Market (February 14, 2026) and Spring Celebration Market (April 4, 2026).
Produce in the Park farmers markets are sponsored by the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.
Produce in the Park continues to accept applications for vendors and sponsors for their 2025-2026 Holiday Market Series. For details and applications, see www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.
For the latest market updates, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark or Instagram at www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/, or sign up for the Produce in the Park email newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.
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