Prepare for the holidays by attending Julmarknad, or Christmas Market, in Bishop Hill. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 29-December 1 and December 7- 8. The attractions include Swedish folk characters, traditional Swedish holiday decorations, and Christmas gifts for sale.
- 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!
- Cookie baking will be done in the 1860’s Bjorklund Hotel kitchen. Sample freshly baked cookies from 1 to 3 p.m. on November 29-December 1 only.
-
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.
- A Chocolate Walk will be held Sat. Dec. 7 and Sun. Dec. 8 only. Purchase quality chocolates by the pound at the Welcome Center. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm.
- 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.
Julmarknod events are sponsored, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council ,BHHA, BHAC, and many other Bishop Hill organizations and businesses.