Denver Christmas Market 2024: Christkindl Dates at Civic Center

With snow-dusted landscapes as your backdrop, explore the city renowned for its thriving craft beer scene and the Denver Christmas Market, a key event that lights up the city every December.

In this guide, I share essential details for the event, from dates, opening hours and location specifics to a selection of regional specialities.

Denver Christmas Market

Dates and Location

Denver Christmas Market dates: 22nd November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Civic Center Park.
Opening times: Sunday – Wednesday: 11am – 7pm
Thursday – Saturday: 11am – 9pm  (Gates close at 9pm)
Festival Hall Hours
Thursday – Saturday: Open until 10pm
Exceptions
Thanksgiving Day: 11am – 4pm
Final week: (15th December to 23rd December) 11am – 9pm
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Santa: Yes.
Ice skating: Yes, at Skyline Park.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Reason to visit: Handcrafted local goods; diverse food selection; Rocky Mountain backdrop.
Recommended tour: History and architecture walking tour.
Specialities: Crisp Colorado apple cider, homemade Rocky Mountain elk sausage, freshly baked Denver doughnuts.
Where to stay: Thompson Denver is an excellent choice and it’s a 5-minute drive away.

Convenient Hotels

Staying in Downtown Denver makes sense to have many places of interest nearby.

Specifically, I’d suggest Thompson Denver for its favourable location and consistently high ratings.

Event Location

Recommended Tours

This city tour of Denver is an interesting option as you can discover many of the city’s highlights, guided by a local expert. It’s particularly suitable if this is your first visit to the city.

On a city tour, you’ll explore some of Denver’s most iconic landmarks and attractions, such as Larimer Square, the Denver Botanic Gardens and the State Capitol Building.

Alternatively, why not take this food tour to understand the local culture through its cuisine? Food tours are growing in popularity and often give a great overview of the city.

What to Expect

Officially known as Denver Christkindl Market, this market blends European traditions with those local to Colorado.

Situated in Civic Center Park, the market is loved for its wooden huts adorned with festive decorations, each teeming with unique products.

At the Food Stalls

• Pretzels: Pretzels are a market classic. While not unique to Denver, they are a popular snack, often coming in sweet or savoury versions.
• Roasted Nuts: Chestnuts are scored with an X on the flat side and then roasted until their interiors become sweet, creamy and slightly crumbly.
• Bratwurst: A nod to traditional German markets, bratwurst is typically grilled and served with mustard and a piece of bread or in a bun.
• Mulled Wine: Go for a mug of mulled wine and keep the mug as a souvenir. It’s typically made from red wine, steeped with various spices like cloves, star anise and cinnamon, and sweetened with sugar. It may also contain citrus peel.
• Colorado Apple Cider: For a more local option, you might want to try Colorado apple cider. It’s similar to mulled wine but made with cider.
• Kettle Corn: Kettle Corn is a sweet-and-salty variety of popcorn that’s popular at many American festivals.
• Strudel: Originally from Central Europe, strudel is a type of pastry made from thinly rolled dough wrapped around various fillings, typically apples, but pretty much any fruit is possible.
• Eggnog: A creamy, rich seasonal classic. It’s a sweet drink made from milk, cream, sugar, whipped egg whites and egg yolks, often spiced with nutmeg.
• Gingerbread Cookies: Shaped into various forms, the most popular being the iconic gingerbread person, they are baked until firm and then often decorated with icing.

What to Buy

• Colorado Honey: Colorado’s rich floral biodiversity produces some of the most flavourful honey in the USA. Honey, beeswax candles and other honey-derived products make for a sweet gift that supports local beekeepers.
• Local Artwork: Denver’s thriving arts scene is represented at the event, which features works from local painters, photographers, and mixed-media artists.
• Rocky Mountain Photography: High-quality prints of stunning local scenery, from mountain vistas to cityscapes, are available at the stalls and in local stores.
• Local Craft Beers: Denver is well-known for its craft beer scene. Gift sets of local craft beers provide a taste of Colorado.
• Ornaments: Traditional ornaments, often handcrafted and themed around Denver and Colorado, make for charming keepsakes.

Sustainability Tips

• Renewable Energy: Many Denver hotels are committed to green initiatives, incorporating renewable energy sources such as solar panels into their operations. When visiting, consider choosing such eco-friendly places to stay.
• Reduce Food Waste: When dining at the food stalls or restaurants, consider ordering smaller portions to avoid wasting food. Some Denver restaurants, like Root Down, practise responsible food sourcing and have programs to compost kitchen waste.
• Conscious Shopping: When shopping, choose locally made, ethically produced goods. Supporting local artisans helps sustain the local economy.
• Sustainable Diets: Denver has a growing number of eateries offering plant-based options, reducing the environmental impact of your meals. Restaurants like Watercourse Foods serve delicious vegan cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
• Transport Options: Denver’s public transport system, including its extensive light rail and bus networks, is an eco-friendly way to explore the city. Also consider Denver’s bike-sharing programme for shorter distances or simply enjoy a winter walk to get around.

Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.