Prepare for the holidays by attending the 2026 Julmarknad (Christmas Market) in historic Bishop Hill, IL. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 27-28 and December 5. On November 29 and December 6, the hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The daily attractions include Swedish folk characters, traditional Swedish holiday decorations, holiday music, and Christmas gifts for sale. All our shops, museums, and restaurants will be open to satisfy your holiday needs. See Tomten, our Swedish elves, looking through windows and peeking around corners in their red and grey outfits. A working model railroad will also be in the Steeple Building Museum. During Julmarknad, paint stations will be set up in the Vasa National Archive for painters to decorate their own wooden Dala Horse. Paint, brushes, and smocks are provided. Participants are welcome to leave their Dala horses at the archive to dry while shopping in Bishop Hill. The Dala Horses are available for a $5 for an ornament or $7 for a standing horse whether you paint here or at home. Painters can call or email to reserve horses to ensure supply. Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information. All of the above activities will happen every day of Julmarknad.
On Friday November 27 only, the Cookie Walk will be held at the Colony School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Homemade cookies and other baked goods can be purchased by the pound. Also at the Colony School, the Bishop Hill Methodist Church will be conducting an Advent Wreath Workshop where families can make Advent Wreaths to take home. Lisa Horngren will be performing a free concert of traditional Swedish music on her nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle) at the Steeple Building Museum at 1 p.m. There will be a Fika at the Bjorklund Hotel from 2 to 3 p.m. Coffee and cookies will be prepared on the cast-iron stove. Finally, cookie baking will be done at the historic Bjorklund Hotel kitchen from 1 to 3 p.m.
On Saturday November 28 only, the Cookie Walk and the Advent Wreath Workshop will continue at the Colony School. Author Jannifer Powelson will have a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tennessee-based performer Lisa Horngren will again be performing a free concert of traditional Swedish music on her nyckelharpa at the Steeple Building Museum at 1 p.m. Cookie baking will continue at the Bjorklund Hotel kitchen. Draw Me Bill will be appearing at the Krans Kafe from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday is also Small Business Saturday, so please support your local economy and shop the small businesses of Bishop Hill.
On Sunday November 29 only, Tennessee-based performer Lisa Horngren will be performing her final free concert of traditional Swedish music at the Steeple Building Museum at 1 p.m. Cookie baking will continue at the historic Bjorklund Hotel kitchen from 1 to 3 p.m.
On Saturday December 5 only, a Chocolate Walk will be held at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Purchase quality homemade chocolates by the pound while they last.
On both December 5 and 5, children are invited to make edible tree ornaments at the Bjorklund Hotel from 1 to 3 p.m. Peanuts will be used. 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.
For more information about Julmarknad activities, please view www.visitbishophill.com or call 309-927-3899. Julmarknad events are financed by Community State Bank, Illinois Arts Council, Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, and the BHHA. Regional Media is our major media sponsor.
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