Todd DeDecker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about Lucia Nights, which is set for December 12th and 13th, offering evening festivities from 6 to 9 PM on Friday and 4 to 9 PM on Saturday. The annual Festival of Lights kicks off with the tree lighting in the park at 6 PM on Friday and features caroling, live Swedish music, and a glittering display of luminaries along the historic streets. Highlights include a soup supper fundraiser, performances at four separate venues, barn dancing, a soup supper fundraiser, and a selfie station inside Colony Church. Local shops and restaurants will offer special gifts and extended hours. The event is free and family-friendly, celebrating Bishop Hill’s unique heritage. For full schedules and details, visit the Bishop Hill Heritage Association Facebook page, visit www.visitbishophill.com, or call 309-927-3899. You can find the schedule for both days listed below.
Bishop Hill is set to celebrate its annual Lucia Nights Festival of Lights on December 12 and 13, 2025. The event promises a lively atmosphere with traditional Swedish customs, including caroling, live music at four venues, and the much-anticipated lighting of the park’s Christmas tree. Visitors can enjoy special holiday gifts and extended hours at local restaurants and shops. Organizers highlight that all festivities are free, making it an inviting destination for families and those seeking a unique cultural experience. The festival showcases Bishop Hill’s Swedish heritage and community spirit, marking a highlight on the town’s winter calendar.
2025 Lucia Nights Schedule
Hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. on December 12 and 13
Friday, December 12:
• Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. in the village park
• Soup and Chili Supper at the Bishop Hill Community United Methodist Church will begin at 4:00 p.m. and continue until they run out. A free-will donation is appreciated to cover the meal cost.
• Peoria Cooperative Academy Madrigal Singers will be performing at the Bishop Hill Methodist Church from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
• The Vasa National Archives will have a Donald and Lucia: A Swedish Holiday Classic display, with readings of short Christmas stories.
• Coffee Creek will be playing at the Steeple Building, starting at 6:30 p.m.
• At the Prairie Arts Center, Deirdre and Fiona Light will be performing holiday music from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Galva High School Choir will be caroling from building to building.
• At the Bishop Hill Creative Commons, the Tucked in T’s will be performing from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Selfie station featuring Lucia and Tomte costumes at the Colony Church.
• At J. Goard Pottery, there will be carols around the fire.
Saturday, December 13:
• Soup and Chili Supper at the Bishop Hill Community United Methodist Church will begin at 4:00 p.m. and continue until they run out. A free-will donation is appreciated to cover the meal cost.
• Peoria Cooperative Academy Madrigal Singers will be performing at the Bishop Hill Methodist Church from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
• The Vasa National Archives will have a Donald and Lucia: A Swedish Holiday Classic display, with readings of short Christmas stories.
• Coffee Creek will be playing at the Steeple Building, starting at 6:30 p.m.
• At the Prairie Arts Center, Deirdre and Fiona Light will be performing holiday music from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Cambridge High School Choir will be caroling from building to building.
• At the Bishop Hill Creative Commons, the Tucked in T’s will be performing from 6 to 9 p.m.
• At J. Goard Pottery, there will be carols around the fire.
• Selfie station featuring Lucia and Tomte costumes at the Colony Church.
• At the Colony School, there will be an Old-Fashioned Barn Dance, with Sangamo Stemwinders performing and Gail Hintze calling, starting at 7 p.m. Beginners are welcome, and no partner is necessary.
Lucia Nights is organized by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association. Activities are partly funded by Community State Bank, the Illinois Arts Council, and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. Regional Media is the major media sponsor.
