2016 Denver Christkindl Market Brings European Charm to Downtown Denver

DENVER - Nov. 17, 2016 - PRLog -- The 16th annual Denver Christkindl Market hosted by the German American Chamber of Commerce – Colorado Chapter opens Friday, November 18, 2016 and remains open daily, from 11am to 7pm and until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, through Friday, December 23, 2016.  Located across from the iconic D&F Clock Tower at the corner of the 16^th Street Mall and Arapahoe Street in Downtown Denver, the Christkindl Market is free to the public and features an artisan marketplace, European confections, live entertainment, German style bier, glühwein, schnapps and authentic German cuisine.

The Denver Christkindl Market transforms Skyline Park, in the heart of the city, into a magical "old-world" German town square during Christmastime, with wooden vendor huts, twinkling lights, festival music, and an authentic German Bier Hall.  German Christmas markets date back to the 14^th Century.  Originally, these markets provided only food and practical supplies for the cold winter season, but soon the markets became a beloved holiday tradition and a great way to get in to the Christmas spirit.  Patrons of the Denver Christkindl Market might feel as if they have been transported to an authentic holiday market to shop at thirty featured gift and craft artisans as well as bakers and chefs, many of whom have come to Denver from around the world.  Last year, the Denver Christkindl Market was nominated by the readers of USA Today as one of the top ten holiday markets in the country.

The traditional German Bier Hall provides visitors a place to warm up, sit down and enjoy a taste of Germany including specialty sausages, schnitzel, pierogies, pretzels, roasted nuts, European chocolates, confections and more. Guests can also quench their thirst with a refreshing Paulaner Bier or warm up with a cup of Glühwein (hot spiced wine), which is served in a specialized collectible mug.

This year's Christkindl Market is the exclusive location to experience Wäldertau Glühwein, hand-crafted and imported directly from Germany.  The recipes used by Wäldertau family, for both the "Klassik" and "Bratapfel" (baked apple) flavors of Glühwein offered at the Market, have been carefully crafted for more than 90 years.  All ingredients are hand-picked in the wild forest and lush green meadows of Europe and are all-natural enhancing the full flavor of these unique spiced wines.  Drink specials on all varieties of Bier, Glühwein and Schnapps are offered Sunday through Thursday from 3-6pm.

Many European traditions are celebrated at the Denver Christkindl Market, but of special note are the visits by the Christkind herself.  The Christkind, which is the German word for "Christ child," is the traditional Christmas gift-bringer in parts of Germany, Austria and other European countries.  A fairy-like being with her white and golden dress, blond locks and golden crown, the Christkind is a symbol of Christkindl Markets here in Denver too.  The tradition of the Christkind bringing children their Christmas gifts goes back to the protestant reformer, Martin Luther (1483-1546).   Here in Denver the Christkindl Market will host the Christkind on several days, including at the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, November 18 from 4-7pm where she will recite her famous prologue, as well as all day on Tuesday, December 6^th - St. Nikolaus Day – another European tradition brought to life at the Denver Christkindl Market.

Throughout the 36-day event, the Christkindl Market hosts numerous live holiday entertainment and cultural performances to delight guests.  The Denver Philharmonic will be featured at the Opening Ceremony, and at two weeknight performances, on November 29^th and December 7^th in the Festival Bier Hall.  Those Austrian Guys join the holiday party along with many other local performance groups such as The Flute Loops of the Mile High Freedom Bands, German dance groups and many more.

For more information, full performance schedule and Christkindl Market hours, visit the official website at http://www.DenverChristkindlMarket.com

To reserve group seating or book holiday parties, please contact the German American Chamber of Commerce at info@gacc-co.org.

Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DenverChristkindlMarket and Tweet us at @denvchristkindl.

High resolutions photos are available upon request.

German American Chamber of Commerce – Colorado Chapter:

The Colorado Chapter is the local representative of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (GACCoM). With six main locations throughout the US, the German American Chambers of Commerce are an integral part of the global network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad – with over 120 locations in 80 countries. The German American Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Chapter (GACC-CO), established in 1990 as the German American Trade Association of Colorado, Inc., promotes trade between Colorado and Germany as well as other German-speaking countries.

After several name changes, in 2000 the GACC-CO associated with the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (GACCoM) and changed the name to its present form, German American Chamber of Commerce – Colorado Chapter. The GACC-CO represents German and American companies and individuals in the Rocky Mountain Region and promotes German-American business and trade in the region and throughout Germany and other German-speaking countries. The mission of GACC-CO is to provide business and educational opportunities for our members who are looking for German-American business opportunities.

The 16^th annual Denver Christkindl Market hosted by the German American Chamber of Commerce – Colorado Chapter is sponsored in association with Viega, Paulaner, Denver 7, KOOL 105, Mix 100.3, 92.5 The Wolf, Altitude Sports Radio and Out Front Magazine.  Supporting sponsors are the Colorado Lottery, Xfinity, Wäldertau and The Westin Denver Downtown. Bellco, Donor Alliance and Westword are contributing sponsors.