Starting in December of 2023, the German Cultural Foundation has hosted over 1,000 high school students for an afternoon at the Denver ChristkindlMarket. Through this educational and cultural event, German teachers are invited to bring their classes for a day of immersive learning and fun. In the past, a number of school groups have learned German Christmas carols and performed in the Greek Theater at the Market.

The GACC donates $10 vouchers for the students to use to pay for their lunches at the Market.  Entertainment is provided by the Krampuses and the Denver Brass performed in the Festival Hall. This special program offers students a chance to explore German traditions, language, and culture in a festive, real-world setting.

Dozens of schools in the Denver metro area participate in the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) run by the Goethe Institut. Colorado High Schools connect with partner schools in Germany. Each year the GCF gives grants and scholarships for travel expenses to schools so they are able to participate in Short-Term Group Exchanges. For two weeks students travel to Germany to stay with host families and get a new understanding of German culture. 

In exchange, German students travel to Colorado. The GCF has hosted German exchange students at the Treffpunkt and also contributed to students going to the Great Sand Dunes.

For more than 20 years, the German Cultural Foundation has supported the annual Denver Christkindlmarket hosted and produced by the German American Chamber of Commerce – Colorado Chapter and has watched it grow from a 3-day event in the early years to this year’s 30 plus-day event at its location at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver.