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.

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 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)

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.

The Grand Rapids European-inspired Christmas market is back this week to illuminate the city from now until Christmas. After a booming turnout for the holiday market last year, the popular event at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market is doubling the number of outdoor vendor booths,