At the first Old Colorado City Christkindlmarket last December, dozens of people lined up outside the hut run by Wander Haus Goods. Owner Jessica Able, who spent time in Germany during her Air Force years, told The Gazette that keeping up with demand was one of her biggest problems. "I've already got so many lessons learned for next year," she said. "Like, maybe I should start making things in March."
Organizers had the same problem at a larger scale. When the German American Chamber of Commerce's Colorado chapter announced in January that the market would return, The Gazette reported that turnout had beaten the organization's own expectations and caused occasional admissions logjams. The plan was to enlarge the site, add vendors and add dates. The market that opens at Bancroft Park on Friday, Dec. 4, follows that plan. Last year's crowd outgrew a small park on a short schedule, and this year's market adds room and days for it. The shops across Colorado Avenue are likely to feel the difference most.
Ten Days Became Sixteen
The 2025 market ran Dec. 11–14 and Dec. 18–23, noon to 8 p.m., which comes to 10 days. This year it runs Dec. 4–6, 9–13 and 16–23, with the same noon-to-8 hours, for 16 days. That's six more days to spread out a crowd that clearly arrived last year.
| 2025 debut | 2026 return | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Dec. 11–14, 18–23 | Dec. 4–6, 9–13, 16–23 |
| Market days | 10 | 16 |
| Vendor huts | 10, imported from Germany | Twice as many |
| Local vendors | 14 | Expanded roster |
| Heated tent | Alpenhütte | Expanded Bank of America Alpenhütte |
| Footprint | Bancroft Park | Bancroft Park plus a closed-off side street |
| Admission | Free | Free |
Last year's opening weekend also showed where the bottlenecks were. Bob's Roasted Nuts, the Castle Rock vendor known for Bavarian-style almonds, pecans and cashews, had a busy weekend. Manager Caleb Warren told The Gazette that "people have been turning out like crazy" and that the crowd was larger than people expected. With 14 vendors sharing 10 huts, a few popular stalls carried a crowd of thousands. Doubling the huts and closing a side street gives that crowd more places to go.
The Alpenhütte is the market's heated, ski-lodge-style tent. Last year it served as the food court and entertainment hub. In 2026 it gets bigger, with a bar, open seating and a stage with performances every night.
The Overflow Lands on Colorado Avenue
The Chamber has described the market as a community and economic-impact project that favors local vendors, artists and performers. Executive director Samantha Seems told Springs Magazine that the group wanted to bring Denver's market tradition, along with its cultural and economic benefits, to Colorado Springs, and that it picked Old Colorado City for its identity as a historic arts district.
The first year produced numbers to back that up. According to The Gazette, Old Colorado City Associates reported that small businesses in the area saw sales rise by as much as 50% during the 2025 market. One shop across the street from Bancroft Park put a number on its own experience.
"We're pretty happy any time an event comes to the west side. … Every day the market has been open, our numbers have gone up." Matt St. Amand, manager of Oddball Store Music and More, speaking to The Gazette in December 2025
St. Amand estimated that the market's Thursday soft opening alone raised the store's business by 50%. He also expected the bump to outlast the market, as visitors told friends about shops they had found. Those figures came from 10 days. This year runs 16, and it now includes weekdays in the first two weeks, Dec. 9–10 and the full stretch from Dec. 16 to 23. That puts the visitors on the avenue in midweek too, when the shops are usually quieter.
What's in the Huts This Year
The market's 2026 vendor roster leans toward German food and goods, and several of last year's vendors are back.
- Wimberger's Old World Bakery, German holiday baking
- Stein Haven, where owner Daniel carries on his father's business of selling collectible German beer steins
- Würzpott, spice blends made in Waiblingen, Germany
- Bob's Roasted Nuts, Germans Pretzelkings, Kary's Crêperie and Berliner Haus, for snacks you can eat while walking
- Old German Christmas, Rocky Mountain Polish Pottery, Christmas in Manitou and Sarina's Gifts, for ornaments and gifts
- The Queen's TEApothecary and I.R. Chef, plus Wander Haus, back for a second year
The food list is mostly German market staples: pretzels, breads, imported cookies, goulash soup, brats, currywurst, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, schnitzel and Schmalzkuchen. Latkes and smoked salmon are on the list too.
One hut changes vendors each week. The Gasthütte hosts four guest vendors over the season: Melissa Rolli Books Dec. 4–6, Veteran Coffee Roasters Dec. 9–13, Nantucket Summer Dec. 16–19 and Match Candle Co. Dec. 20–23. If you want something from a particular guest vendor, plan your visit around their week.
The Avenue Around the Park
The market opens on a stretch of West Colorado Avenue that has changed since last December. Base Camp Restaurant at 2611 W. Colorado Ave. closed for good on Oct. 4, The Gazette reported. The next change is planned for a few blocks east. BJ's Velvet Freez plans its third Colorado Springs location in the former credit union building at 2132 W. Colorado Ave. and is aiming to open by spring break 2027. Owner Stan Kelley told The Gazette the shop will have order and pickup windows, a drive-through, a larger outdoor seating area and an expanded food menu.
So the district goes into December with one fewer sit-down restaurant and a busier calendar than it had a year ago. Most of the holiday season's events now happen within walking distance of Bancroft Park.
The West Side's Holiday Calendar, in Order
The season on the avenue begins a week before the market. Old Colorado City's merchants run the Christmas Stroll on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. on West Colorado Avenue. Bancroft Park will have reindeer, fire pits and cocoa from 4 to 7 p.m., Santa photos from noon to 8 p.m., and free parking. After that, Santa takes weekend photo sessions at the Bancroft Park cabin through much of December.
The market's posted entertainment schedule fills in the rest. Lineups can change before a performance, and admission and scheduled entertainment are both free.
- Sat., Nov. 28: Christmas Stroll along the avenue, 4–7 p.m.
- Fri., Dec. 4: Market opens at noon. Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band performs.
- Sat., Dec. 5: Rudy Da Polka Guy.
- Sun., Dec. 6: Micrograss Band.
- Wed., Dec. 9: Market reopens after its first Monday-Tuesday break. Michael Furry performs.
- Thu., Dec. 10: Alan Polivka.
- Fri., Dec. 11: Neue Polka Colorado.
- Sun., Dec. 13: Polka Folka.
- Wed., Dec. 16: Mistletoe Carolers open the final stretch of eight days in a row.
- Wed., Dec. 23: Last day of the market.
Downtown's Festival of Lights Parade runs on Tejon Street on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 5:50 p.m., the same night the market is open on the west side. The market is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays before Dec. 16, which leaves Dec. 7–8 and Dec. 14–15 as market-free days on the avenue.
If you're thinking about a home within walking distance of Old Colorado City's holiday season, the Michael Turner team would be glad to talk through what that location means for you. Book an Appointment.
