Escape the Black Friday crowds at the mall and come out to Bishop Hill for your Christmas shopping and a whole lot more! See Tomten, our Swedish elves, roam through the town, shaking hands with tourists, looking through windows, and peeking around corners in their red and grey outfit. Watch out for the Julbock, Yule- Goat! A Christmas Cookie Walk will be held Fri. Nov. 29 and Sat. Nov. 30 only at the Colony School. Homemade cookies and baked goods can be purchased by the pound. Hours are 9 am to 4 pm. Also this year, children can visit with Santa on Saturday, November 30 at the Welcome Center from 11 am to 2 pm sponsored by the Prairie Arts Center. Several new exhibits will also be on display throughout the town. Wintertime in Bishop Hill will be presented at the Bishop Hill Museum. A working model railroad with the exhibit Swedish Christmas Traditions will be on display in the Steeple Building. At the Welcome Center, a Christmas tree display will be created that illustrates the Bishop Hill Colony’s rag rug industry. A multi-artist exhibit will also be located at VagnHall Galleri in the Prairie Arts Center.