Colorado Springs will soon add a bit more German culture to its repertoire.

The inaugural Old Colorado City Christkindlmarket, created by the Colorado chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC), will open Thursday and run over two weekends through Dec. 23 in Bancroft Park.

“There’s so much German heritage and a lot of Germans who live in Colorado Springs,” said GACC’s Executive Director Samantha Seems. “People have always said we’d love to have an event like this here.”

The free event will be as authentic as possible to the Christkindlmarkets in Germany. Ten wooden huts imported from Germany will be scattered throughout the park and filled with 14 local vendors, including Wimberger’s Old World Bakery and Deli with its pretzels, bread and imported German cookies and treats; Bob’s Roasted Nuts; Stein Haven and its German steins, paraphernalia and hats; Christmas in Manitou with personalized ornaments, Colorado ornaments, Santas and nutcrackers; Würzpott with spice blends crafted in Germany; and Wander Haus with handmade earrings, ornaments and apparel.

“There are a lot of ties (to Germany) because of the military here,” Seems said. “Germany is the second largest base outside the U.S. A lot of people were stationed there, born there, or their spouses brought them back, and they came to Colorado. That reflects in our vendors too. A lot of them have a veteran history, where they were stationed in Germany or born there and the military is what brought them over.”

In addition to the huts, an alpenhütte, the German word for alpine lodge, with a ski lodge vibe will serve as a warming tent. It will house a stage and offer free entertainment nightly, with lots of traditional German oompah music and a dance floor. Glühwein, the German hot, spiced, mulled wine, will also be imported and serve as the market’s signature drink.

Hordes of people visit the multiple markets that pop up every year in cities around Germany.

“It’s a winter tradition,” Seems said. She was born in Germany and lived there for 27 years before moving to the U.S. with her Colorado-born husband.

“You can’t get around them. Every city in Germany has multiple markets, and in various parts of the city. I don’t remember a year I didn’t go.”

Denver’s Christkindlmarket, also produced by GACC, and now in its 25th year, attracts more than 350,000 people. The 33-day event contributes about $8 million in economic revenue to the city every year, Seems said.

About 15,000 visitors from the Springs travel to the Denver market, which inspired GACC to launch its new Southern Colorado offering. Organizers hope to make it an annual event.

“The philosophy is it’s accessible to anyone, and you come and spend money on what you consume,” Seems said. “If you want to buy gifts, we have vendors who craft unique, handmade things and not mass-produced things.”

If you go

What: Old Colorado City Christkindlmarket

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and Dec. 18-23

Where: Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave.

Price: Free; occchristkindlmarket.com