Prepare for the holidays by attending Julmarknad, or Christmas Market, in Bishop Hill, IL. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 24, November 25, and December 2. On November 26 and December 3, the hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The daily attractions include Swedish folk characters, traditional Swedish holiday decorations, holiday music, craft activities, 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. If you are lucky, you might see our Julbock, Christmas goat, roaming around town. A working model railroad will also be in the Steeple Building Museum, along with a Christmas display. The Vasa National Archives will have Take Home Dala Horse Kits available to purchase. Each kit has a horse, three colors of paint, and two brushes. Supplies are limited and visitors can reserve them by calling 309 927-3898 or emailing VasaArchivist@gmail.com. In addition, visitors to the Vasa National Archives can participate at the Make and Take Dala Horse Painting Station where people can paint their Dala Horses and let them dry while shopping and exploring Bishop Hill. Dala Horses at the station are $5 each. All of the above activities will happen each and every day of Julmarknad.
On Friday November 24 only, the Cookie Walk will be held at the Colony School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Homemade cookies and other baked goods can be purchased by the pound. Also at the school, the Bishop Hill Methodist Church will also be conducting an Advent Workshop where families can make Advent Wreaths to take home.
On Saturday November 25 only, the Cookie Walk will continue at the Colony School. Dee Schroeder Photography will be at the Colony School taking holiday portraits for a fee from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Authors Jannifer Powelson and Mary Davidsaver will have a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday is also Small Business Saturday, so please support your local economy and shop the small businesses of historic Bishop Hill.
On Sunday November 26 only, author Mary Davidsaver will have a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, Kongero, a touring Swedish Folk’appella group, will conduct a workshop on Swedish folk and Christmas songs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Dairy Building. This is a free walk-in workshop that is open to all ages. Please come and learn how to sing a variety of holiday songs. Later at 7 p.m., enjoy Kongero’s concert at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons.
On Saturday December 2 only, a Chocolate Walk will be held at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Purchase quality homemade chocolates by the pound. Also, the BHHA volunteers are sponsoring a make it/take it Christmas tree ornament workshop for children ages 12 and under at the Steeple Building Museum. Kids will have a choice of several types of ornaments to make and to take home to put on their Christmas tree. This is a free activity occurring from 1- 3 p.m.
For more information about Julmarknad activities, please call 309-927-3899 or email bhha@mymctc.net. Julmarknad events are sponsored, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation.
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