Prepare for the holidays by attending Julmarknad, or Christmas Market, in Bishop Hill. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 2. On December 3, the hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The attractions include Swedish folk characters, traditional Swedish holiday decorations, and Christmas gifts for sale. All our shops, museums, and restaurants will be open to satisfy your holiday needs. See Tomten, our Swedish elves, roam through the town, looking through windows, and peeking around corners in their red and grey outfits. Guests will also enjoy the Julbock, the Christmas Goat. This trickster from Scandinavian lore entertains young and old with its antics. A working model railroad will also be in the Steeple Building Museum. At the Peasant Works, there will be a festive DIY photo booth in the barnyard, featuring tomten and julbock attire, and a free make & take project.
On both Saturday December 2 and Sunday December 3, children are invited to make edible tree ornaments at the Bjorklund Hotel from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. These ornaments may be taken home, or left at the Hotel to be placed on the Bishop Hill Park’s Christmas tree during the tree lighting on Lucia Nights. In addition, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Colony Store from noon to 3 p.m. both days. A Chocolate Walk will also be held at the Dairy Building. Purchase quality chocolates by the pound from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
On Saturday December 2 only, woodcarver Whitey Hershberger will be demonstrating at the Steeple Building Museum. The BHHA volunteers are also sponsoring a make it/take it Christmas ornament workshop for children ages 12 and under at the Steeple Building. Kids will have a choice of several types of ornaments to make and to take home to put on their Christmas tree. It is a free activity occurring from 1- 3 p.m. on Saturday December 2 only.
For more information about Julmarknad activites, please call 309-927-3899 or email bhha@mymctc.net. Julmarknad events are sponsored, in part, by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation.
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