The 2023 Lucia Nights, or Festival of Lights, celebration begins next weekend with the Lighting of the Park Christmas Tree. Historic Bishop Hill invites everyone to enjoy the Lucia Nights festivities on Friday, December 8th, and Saturday, December 9th, from 6 PM to 9 PM. This Swedish tradition is based on the legend of Saint Lucia, Queen of Light. During a famine in Sweden, on the longest and darkest night of the year, Lucia appeared wearing a long white robe, and encircling her head was a crown of candles. Legend has it that Lucia appeared on a ship laden with food. When the ship was unloaded, both it and Lucia vanished. Girls in Sweden today wake their families on December 13th carrying a tray of Lucia buns while dressed in a white robe and wearing a crown of candles.
Lucia Nights kicks off with the lighting of the Park Christmas tree at 6 PM on December 8, 2023. The public is invited to bring edible ornaments to hang on the tree for wildlife to eat. Businesses and museums will have Lucia Girls to greet guests throughout the night. Buildings throughout Bishop Hill will have a single candle in each and every window, and sidewalks will also be illuminated by candles. Restaurants are open both evenings and special Christmas gifts will be for sale. There are a variety of Christmas activities on both nights and Hammer and Pick are playing a variety of Christmas and folk music at the Steeple Building Museum from 6 PM to 9 PM.
Lucia Nights 2022
The VASA National Archives will have a closing reception for their “A Sampling of our Samling” exhibit. Also at the Archives, storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis will share a medley of Swedish and Pioneer Christmas stories and songs from 6 PM to 8 PM. At the Bishop Hill Fire Station, Barry Cloyd will be performing a variety of music from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, with Coffee Creek performing from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The Peoria Cooperative Academy Madrigal Singers will be singing at the Bishop Hill Methodist Church from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
On both nights, the Bishop Hill Community United Methodist Church will host its annual Soup and Chili Supper, beginning at 4 PM, a free-will donation is appreciated to cover the cost of the meal. Additionally, the Galva High School Choir and Wethersfield High School Choir will be going from building to building singing Christmas carols. Josh Christianson and Friends will be singing and leading Christmas Carols outside of J Goard Pottery from 6 PM to 9 PM.
On Saturday only at 7 PM, there will be an Old Fashioned Barn Dance at the Colony School. The Sangamo Stemwinders will be performing. All dances are taught and called by Gail Hintze, beginners are welcome and no partner is necessary. Also, the Krans Kafe is hosting horse-drawn carriage rides from 6 PM to 9 PM, which costs $5 per person. However, children under the age of 1 are free.
Lucia Nights is sponsored by the Bishop Hill Arts Council, Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Bishop Hill State Historic Site, VASA National Archives, Bishop Hill Old Settlers’ Association, Bishop Hill Volunteer Fire Department, and numerous local businesses. This event is also partly funded by the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, and American Rescue Plan Funds from Henry County, approved by the Henry County Board.
For more details, call 309-927-3899 or view www.visitbishophill.com.
Lucia Nights 2022
