Event

All aboard to Christkindlmarket: RTD makes travel easy to new home at Auraria Campus

Posted: November 20 2025|6:00 AM MST

Denver’s Christkindlmarket is moving to Auraria Campus Tivoli Quad for its 25th anniversary and RTD is helping those looking to enjoy its festive charm get there with accessible travel options across bus, rail, and train. The market opens Nov. 21, and from the dozens of vendors to seasonal entertainment, RTD is ready to guide customers to the holiday fun.

Customers can plan their trip using RTD’s Next Ride trip planning tool which offers real-time information and helps customers build personalized schedules directly from their phone or computer. To find travel options, customers can use Next Ride and simply type “Christkindlmarket” or “Christmas Market” in the destination field. RTD’s trip planner will show all transit options available to reach the holiday market. The “Christkindlmarket” navigation feature will list the departure and arrival times of all rail lines and bus routes providing service to the Tivoli Quad on Auraria campus.

All travel routes included below were gathered using Next Ride’s trip-planning features.

Getting to Christkindlmarket at Auraria Campus

The Auraria Campus area is served by several bus routes and four rail stations within walking distance. Whether traveling from downtown, the airport, or neighborhoods across the metro area, customers have multiple options.

Rail Stations

D, E, and W lines:

Ball Arena•Elitch Gardens Station (10 minute walk)
Empower Field at Mile High Station (12 minute walk)
Auraria West Campus Station (12 minute walk)

A, B, G, and N lines:

Union Station (25 minute walk)

Holiday Train

Colfax at Auraria Station (9-minute walk)
Theatre District•Convention Center Station (14-minute walk)

Bus Stops near the market

West Colfax Avenue & Lipan Street (4 minute walk)
Stout Street & 14th Street (5 minute walk)
Larimer Street & 12th Street (7 minute walk)
Auraria Pkwy & 9th Street (9 minute walk)
Santa Fe Drive & W 13th Avenue (10 minute walk)

Bus Routes Serving Auraria Campus

Holiday service in the Downtown Loop

Just in time for holiday outings, RTD is restoring light rail service to the Downtown Loop following completion of major reconstruction work at Colfax Avenue and Kalamath Street. Beginning Nov. 28, customers will have access to a special daily light rail service running every 15 minutes between I-25•Broadway and 30th•Downing stations from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. This special holiday service operates through Jan. 3 and helps customers connect to downtown destinations, including the Christkindlmarket.

How to purchase fare

RTD offers several ways to buy fare for a trip to Christkindlmarket. Customers can purchase a 3-Hour Pass for $2.75 or a Day Pass for $5.75, with discounts available for seniors 65+, individuals with disabilities, Medicare recipients, and customers enrolled in LiVE. Youth ages 19 and younger can ride at no-cost as part of the Zero Fare for Youth initiative, as well as active-duty military members with proof of eligibility. Customers can purchase passes conveniently through the MyRide mobile app, RTD sales outlets, more than 150 participating King Soopers or Safeway stores, or through the RTD online store. Click here to learn more about fare benefits.

Stay safe with Transit Watch

RTD encourages customers to stay alert and report safety concerns through Transit Watch. The Transit Watch app lets customers quickly and anonymously contact Transit Police about suspicious activity 24/7. Customers can also call 303.299.2911 or text 303.434.9100 to contact Transit Watch anytime, and emergency phones are available at rail stations. The app is also offered in Spanish.

Christkindlmarket runs daily through Dec. 23, with earlier opening times on weekends and extended evening hours in Festival Hall. RTD encourages customers to plan ahead and explore language-accessible schedules in the Next Ride app or on the agency’s website.

Written by Lucas Bosley