Head to Bishop Hill, Illinois, for the annual Julmarknad, or Christmas Market, starting November 29. This festive event features Swedish traditions, crafts, and music. Attractions include Swedish folk characters, traditional decorations, and holiday music. Don’t miss the unique craft activities and the artisanal gifts available for purchase. Todd DeDecker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the 2024 Julmarknad in Bishop Hill over the next two weekends, followed by Lucia Nights.
For more information about Julmarknad activities, please view www.visitbishophill.com or call 309-927-3899. Julmarknad events are financed by the Bishop Hill Arts Council, Community State Bank, Illinois Arts Council, Bill and Susan Sherrard Foundation, Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, and SWEA-Chicago. Regional Media is our major media sponsor.
Every day, the community comes alive with Swedish folk characters like Tomten, the friendly elves, and the festive Julbock, a Christmas goat. Explore traditional crafts, listen to holiday music, and indulge in unique shopping opportunities. Attractions include a captivating model railroad display at the Steeple Building Museum and a chance to transform into a Swedish tomten at the 1882 Peasant Works barnyard photo station. Don’t miss out on crafting your own Dala Horse at the Vasa National Archives with take-home kits or painting sessions available throughout the event. Register here for the Dala Horse crafts
2024 Julmarknad (Christmas Market) Schedule
Hours are 10 AM to 4 PM for November 29, November 30, and December 7.
Hours are from 11 AM to 4 PM on December 1 and 8.
DAILY EVENTS:
Friday, November 29
• Cookie Walk at the Colony School from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Take Home Dala Horse Kits and Make and Take Dala Horse Painting Station at the Vasa National Archives
• Tomten and Julbock roaming the village
• Holiday Photo Op Station at Peasant Works
• Working Model Railroad in Steeple Building Museum
• Advent Wreath Workshop at the Colony School from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Nyckelharpa concert of Swedish music by Lisa Horngren at the Steeple Building at 1 PM
• Cookie Baking at historic Bjorklund Hotel from 1 to 3 PM
Saturday, November 30
• Cookie Walk at the Colony School from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Tomten and Julbock roaming the village
• Holiday Photo Op Station at Peasant Works
• Working Model Railroad in Steeple Building Museum
• Take Home Dala Horse Kits and Make and Take Dala Horse Painting Station at the Vasa National Archives
• Dee Schroeder Photography will be at the Colony School taking holiday portraits for a fee from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Advent Wreath Workshop at the Colony School from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Book signings by authors Mary Davidsaver and Jannifer Powelson at the Prairie Arts Center 10 AM to 3 PM
• Nyckelharpa concert of Swedish music by Lisa Horngren at the Steeple Building at 1 PM
• Cookie Baking at historic Bjorklund Hotel from 1 to 3 PM
Sunday, December 1
• Working Model Railroad in Steeple Building Museum
• Tomten and Julbock roaming the village
• Holiday Photo Op Station at Peasant Works
• Take Home Dala Horse Kits and Make and Take Dala Horse Painting Station at the Vasa National Archives
• Cookie Baking at historic Bjorklund Hotel from 1 to 3 PM
• Nyckelharpa concert of Swedish music by Lisa Horngren at the Steeple Building at 1 PM
• Concert by Rupert Wates at 7 PM in the Bishop Hill Creative Commons
Saturday, December 7
• Chocolate Walk at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Take Home Dala Horse Kits and Make and Take Dala Horse Painting Station at the Vasa National Archives
• Holiday Photo Op Station at Peasant Works
• Tomten and Julbock roaming the village
• Working Model Railroad in Steeple Building Museum
• Make it/take it Christmas tree ornament workshop for kids 12 and under at the Steeple Building Museum from 1 to 3 PM
• Make edible tree ornaments at the Bjorklund Hotel from 1 to 3 PM
Sunday, December 8
• Tomten and Julbock roaming the village
• Holiday Photo Op Station at Peasant Works
• Working Model Railroad in Steeple Building Museum
• Take Home Dala Horse Kits and Make and Take Dala Horse Painting Station at the Vasa National Archives
• Make edible tree ornaments at the Bjorklund Hotel from 1 to 3 PM