Sunday, December 7, 2014

The German Christkindl Market in Denver


A new Christmas season tradition for my husband and me is to visit the annual German Christkindl Market in downtown Denver, Colorado.   I blogged about it last year on this link, but I'd like to show you how we enjoyed the market this year. ( All photos and photo collages in this post can be enlarged for easier viewing by clicking on them.)



The free 14th annual Christkindl Market is located at Skyline Park at 16th Street Mall and Arapahoe Street and is open from November 21 to December 23, 2014.



German Christmas markets date back to the 14th century and were a popular way for German townspeople to buy holiday food and supplies, as well as to celebrate the Christmas spirit. These traditions spread to Austria and other nearby countries. To read more about Christmas in Germany, click on this link.   Although Denver's Christkindl Market is smaller than ones in Germany, it also provides a lively Christmas aura and gives one an opportunity to purchase authentic handmade ornaments from Germany and other European sources.


This German Christmas booth had many hand paint items for sale...



.....as well as many other booths that offered linens, lace, traditional lighted paper stars, wooden clocks, chocolates, wooden village houses, hand-knitted dolls, mouth-blown glass ornaments, and many other items I have not shown.


There is also a large heated tent where market-goers can sit and enjoy free entertainment as well as to buy a cup of traditional German "Gluehwein," which is a warm, spiced red wine.  Click on this link for the recipe.  A variety of German beers are also sold in the tent.

We attended the market early this year to see the opening ceremonies.  There we saw the traditional "Christkind" or "Christ Child" welcome everyone to the festivities by reading a translated version of the German Christkind welcome manuscript.  This year's Christkind was Ms. Shersten Eschhotz, who was dressed in the traditional white and golden robes.  Members of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra also performed during the opening ceremony. Click here to watch a short video on my Mille Fiori Favoriti Facebook page.

There are many opportunities to see free entertainment in the holiday tent, from German as well as worldwide traditional song and dance and instrumental music.  Click here for a schedule of entertainment events.  Saint Nicholas is in attendance one weekend of the market, dressed in his traditional bishop's robes.  Some believe Saint Nicholas is the origin of today's Santa Claus. What do you think?  To read about the German traditions of Saint Nicholas click here.


There are also opportunities to buy different ethnic foods in the Christkindl Market.  We enjoyed goulash and pierogies, and brats with sauerkraut.   So good!  We were tempted by the large soft pretzels that came with different toppings but ended up treating ourselves with a large apple strudel that we took home to have for breakfast the next day.


The Christkindl Market is especially beautiful at night, all lit up with lights and the booths warmly illuminated from inside. Local high school glee clubs often appear at the market to sing Christmas Carols, which adds to the festive atmosphere.


The iconic Daniel's and Fisher Clock Tower is located right across the street from the German market, is also lit with red lights for the Christmas season......


.......and the adjacent 16th Street Mall is alive with activity, as well as the Southwest Skating Rink, that is now in full swing.  Skating is free, if you bring your own skates, otherwise skate rental is only $2. Denver has much to offer during the Christmas season, and this is just a small sample of how this city shows its spirit!  I'll be showing much more in future posts.

Happy second Sunday in Advent! Are you finished with your Christmas preparations? This season seems to pass so quickly, doesn't it?  It is a good time to continue to reflect on all our blessings and to share happy times with those we love.

I finished all my shopping, and we decorated the outside of our house and some of the inside. We have an 8 foot Noble Fir Christmas tree this year, which we placed in a new spot in our house, as it was too wide for where we placed our tree last year. When it is all decorated I'll show some photos here on my blog. I fill it with many ornaments that mean a lot to me.  Every year those ornaments bring back special memories.  I love Christmas, don't you?



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54 comments:

Snap said...

What fun! Gorgeous lighting in the evening.

Ann said...

YES, I love the Christmas Season!!! I have some hand crafted German ornaments that my sister sent me when they lived in Germany. The festival looks like it was so beautiful and delicious.
Ann

podso said...

IT does look like Germany and how fun to start new traditions at our age! Love it! And yes a favorite part of Christmas to me is the tree full of memories. Almost every ornament has a story.

Barb said...

Sounds like you're in the spirit, Pat! I'll be coming to downtown Denver on the 23rd. I'm excited to see all the lights and festivities. Congratulations on another grandchild in the spring.

eileeninmd said...

What a fun festival.. The Christmas ornaments are so pretty and food looks yummy.. A nice tradition for you and your family.. Thanks for sharing, have a happy new week!

Michelle said...

I would love to attend that in Denver. I need the hubby to schedule a work trip!

Pamela Gordon said...

That would have been so fun to visit. Thanks for sharing your photos and all that you saw. I still have a lot of shopping to do. I'm very slow this year. :) Have a great week. Pam

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of Christmas markets and hope to visit Europe during the Christmas Market season sometime. I am not finished with Christmas shopping at all. First things first...I'm hosting the Mennonite Girls and their husbands for a Christmas party this coming Sunday! :)
I love to see how you are embracing your new locale!

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of Christmas markets and hope to visit Europe during the Christmas Market season sometime. I am not finished with Christmas shopping at all. First things first...I'm hosting the Mennonite Girls and their husbands for a Christmas party this coming Sunday! :)
I love to see how you are embracing your new locale!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

How fun to get to see the festival as you share it Pat. Wow, so many nutcrackers for sale and the food looks delicious.
Thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday.

Lorrie said...

Christmas markets are so much fun. The Denver one looks similar to the one I visited recently in Vancouver. The food is so good!

I do love Christmas and no, I'm not ready yet, but there are still several weeks before the celebration really begins. We got our tree and will put it up this week.

Have a great week, Pat.

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shots of market. Nice place for Christmas shopping.

Jen said...

It looks so beautiful. And now I have a hankering for some warm, spiced wine. A German friend introduced me to Gluehwein, and I've enjoyed it every Christmas since.

Barbara F. said...

This would definitely put me in the Christmas spirit! I would love to buy a stollen and some pfefferneusse (sp?).
Oh, and a hot pretzel, please!

Annesphamily said...

Nice photos Pat! We are anxious to visit this fun market when Nick gets home! We already made a trial run of the Christmas lights around our neighborhood! Always fun to see you here. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Anne

Ola said...

a good place to start feeling Christmas atmosphere!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

What a fun visit and especially at night, yes...quite beautiful! :)

Jojo said...

I love Christmas Markets! Your photos are beautiful. Looks like a little bit of Germany in Denver.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

How fun! We spent a Christmas in Munich many years ago and your post took me back to the Christkindl Market there. I remember the smells and the look in children's eyes, mine too for that matter.

When I was growing up, my grandfather had a relative in Germany who would send German goodies. They were a real treat and nothing like I'd ever seen before. You've brought back wonderful memories for me.

What a great way to start my day Pat.
Sam

SmilingSally said...

Hi Pat,

As the song goes, "it's the most wonderful time of the year." Who doesn't love Christmas?

Thanks for sharing this wonderful festival in Denver, and for making Blue Monday special.

Happy Blue Monday!

Donna said...

Another fabulous place/event to attend in Denver...I love German food!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How fabulous. I've heard about these markets in other countries...how nice to have one close by. I'll be doing things and decorating right up to Christmas day! Holiday hugs, Diane

Unknown said...

I've been to a christmasmarket in Germany last week and it resembles what you have described and photographed quite a lot.
I love the wooden ornaments.

happy blue monday!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

It's like a beautiful slice of Christmas in Europe Pat. How great that you get to experience that in your own state. I have had many a cup of gluhwein while skiing in Switzerland and Austria. You're reminding me that there's no reason not to make it here too. Thanks for your recipe.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I waved at you as we flew into and out of the airport! Beautiful market -- Colorado really is lovely this time of year -- we enjoyed our time there so much as always! Didn't get to Denver as we chose RMNP for our day trip and then some of the closer-to-kids-home activities so that we didn't spend all of their days off in the car getting places.

Nanna said...

a 8 ft tree? wow! you'll need a ladder lol! beautiful festival pictures!

Helen

Hootin Anni said...

I grew up in Colorado and raised my own family...for over 40 years, before retiring. Denver is such a wonderful...mile high city.

Go Broncos!!!

And, loved to view your special time downtown. Great new tradition.

Hootin Anni said...

I grew up in Colorado and raised my own family...for over 40 years, before retiring. Denver is such a wonderful...mile high city.

Go Broncos!!!

And, loved to view your special time downtown. Great new tradition.

joyh82 said...

Love all the decorations! Hope your having a great time :)

Jeanne said...

Hi Pat, Your post sure reminded me of the Christmas Markets when we traveled up the Rhine two years ago at Christmas. We drank Gluewein and even kept the cups it was served in...at a cost of course. Smile.

Your photos and story are fun to see and read. The festive atmosphere makes me want to be there. I love German food. My grandfather on my mother's side was from Bavaria. His ancestors traveled here in the early 1700's. When I sold antiques I was always on the lookout for German Christmas ornaments etc. They are the most collectible and beautiful.

I am done with Christmas shopping but not my decorating. I'm getting there. I love Christmas too.

xo, Jeanne

diane b said...

It looks a great market to stroll through. Bill would love the German food especially Brats and sauerkraut .
As we have just returned home we haven't done any shopping yet. but we have decorated inside our house. Need to do the outside soon. What I love about Christmas is family visits.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Looks like a fantastic celebration, Pat. I'm sure you all enjoyed that one --and it will become an annual tradition for you.. I'd love it!!!!!

We didn't decorate as much as usual this year (due to my knee problem)---but regardless, it's still pretty. Can't wait to see more of your decorations.
Hugs,
Betsy

alicesg said...

Wow such beautiful decorations and the christmas shopping mood is really wonderful. Happy Tuesday.

alicesg said...

Wow such beautiful decorations and the christmas shopping mood is really wonderful. Happy Tuesday.

The French Hutch said...

Pat this market looks just like one you would find in Europe. I have been fortunate that I've visited several of these in France and Italy. So many beautiful handmade items, some came home with me too. I think the opening ceremony sounds wonderful, I would have loved it too. Great photos, brings back memories. Still working on decorations here, hope to finish up photograph some of my favorite vignettes. Yes, it does all happen so fast. Thanks for sharing the market.

Anonymous said...

A fun and festive market!

John's Island said...

Hi Pat, I am your newest follower. You have a great blog here! Enjoyed all your photos of the Christkindl Market. Made me wish I was in Denver for a few days! Thank you for stopping by my blog and your comments. Yes, when I was posting the card on Cody I did a little research and read that story about his burial. Interesting! I will check out your post about the museum. Yellowstone is also my favorite National Park and I collect memorabilia about it and share that on my blog. Hope you will come back soon and often. Thanks again, John

New Jersey Memories said...

That looks wonderful! I love going to Scandinavian festivals because of my heritage, and Sweden has a spiced mulled wine called "Glogg" . Anyway, I'm sure that you had a wonderful time eating all of that delicious food, shopping, and gazing at the beautiful Christmas decorations!

Daniela said...

So this amazing Colorado is truly a dreamland, my dear, there are so many and so various amusements that you can grant to yourself not far from your home, that's truly a rarity and I'm so very glad for you !
Have a beautiful continuation of Advent, my dearest friend
xox
Dany

Fun60 said...

The Gluehwein is my favourite part!

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful photos and as I have said before ~ you really seem to be enjoying Colorado!

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

La Petite Gallery said...

What a festive evening out. Denver sure looks different from the 1970's last time I was there. Merry Christmas. yvonne

Al said...

That looks great, I'll have to see if we can make it next time we're in Denver.

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

This looks like so much fun, and I'd love to do that - and the food looks amazing!

Gracie said...

There're a lot of these markets in Italy, especially in the northern part of it, near the austrian border. Thanks for sharing your experience.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

It looks like you had a grand time. Wishing I were there!!! Cathy

Su-sieee! Mac said...

That festival ought to get anyone in the mood for the holidays. :-)

Molly said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I could get into that market. It looks like a lot of fun.

We really haven't got into Christmas yet. Son is stressed with finals and he is in a Christmas play with a heavy performance schedule. Next week we will be ready.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

I just wrote about my memories of the Christmas markets in Germany and Austria and your post makes me wish if I couldn't be there again that I could visit the market in Denver. It looks like a lot of fun and of course you have all the beautiful mountain peaks for a spectacular Christmas.

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

What a great-looking market! I wish I spent more time visiting holiday shows and events. Seems I'm always busy doing other thing. You're right, the season does pass so quickly.

Linda W. said...

What a wonderful market! Love all the cute handmade ornaments. Wish I could come to Denver and visit.

Anonymous said...

This looks so very close to the real German Christmas markets. My hubby and I just marked our calendar for next year, to visit Denver. We miss the German Christmas markets so very much.

Lisa visiting from Through my Lens... you are welcome to link up to my Life Thru the Lens as well. :-)

www.lisakerner-slp.com

Betsy said...

My daughter and son in law used to live in Colorado Springs and visit the Christmas Market there.
So much like the ones visited in Germany when she lived there. I want to go back now.
so enjoyed your post today
betsy