The Christkindl Markt at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market opens Friday, offering 138,000 square feet of festivities.

Brett Barnhart spent the last two and a half weeks sitting on his living room floor assembling 1,200 magnets. Instead of holding kindergarten art projects to the refrigerator, about a quarter-mile of lit garland will be strung from the 100-pound-force magnetic hooks.

The second annual Christkindl Markt has begun at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. The much-anticipated event opened to the public at 11 a.m. with twice as many vendors, twice as many holiday beverage options and twice as many curling sheets as the first year.

The Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt returns Friday, Nov. 15 at the Downtown Market! Here’s a preview of the holiday fun in store for families and visitors of all ages. (Sponsored)

Thousands of Christmas lights, a variety of performers and local, regional and national vendors will take over the Grand Rapids Downtown Market’s parking lot starting Friday for the second annual Christkindl Markt.

The Michigan Made Market will be held at the Goei Center in Grand Rapids on Saturday. Jewelry, artwork and even clothing will be available from local Michigan artists throughout the day. Co-Founders of the market, Alisson and Mike Barker, said the event is a fun outing for all families.

Get ready for an enchanting holiday experience at the Christkindl Markt in Grand Rapids! Browse artisan gifts, savor traditional Christmas fare, and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Michigan's largest European Christmas Village.

The Christkindl Markt at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market opened Friday, offering 138,000 square feet of festivities.