BISHOP HILL — Visitors can prepare for the holidays by attending the 2025 Julmarknad Christmas Market in historic Bishop Hill. The market features Swedish folk characters, traditional holiday decorations, Christmas gifts, holiday music, and local shops, museums, and restaurants open daily for visitors. Tomten, the Swedish elves, will roam the streets in red and grey outfits, and a working model railroad will be on display at the Steeple Building Museum.
Attendees can participate in painting their own wooden Dala Horses at the Vasa National Archive, with paint, brushes, and smocks provided. Painted Dala Horses can be left to dry while shopping, and unpainted horses are available for $5 for an ornament or $7 for a standing horse. Visitors can also enjoy a DIY Scandinavian photo op and a free make-it-and-take-it craft for children at the 1882 Peasant Works barnyard.
On Friday, November 28, the Cookie Walk will be held at the Colony School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where homemade cookies and baked goods are sold by the pound. Families can also create Advent wreaths at a workshop conducted by the Bishop Hill Methodist Church. Cookie baking will take place in the historic Bjorklund Hotel kitchen from 1 to 3 p.m., and Lisa Horngren will perform traditional Swedish music on her nyckelharpa at the Steeple Building Museum at 1 p.m.
Saturday, November 29, will continue the Cookie Walk and Advent Wreath Workshop at the Colony School. Holiday portraits will be available from Dee Schroeder Photography, and author Jannifer Powelson will hold a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center. Lisa Horngren will perform again at 1 p.m., and cookie baking continues at the Bjorklund Hotel. The day also marks Small Business Saturday, encouraging visitors to shop local businesses.
On Sunday, November 30, Lisa Horngren will perform her final concert at 1 p.m. at the Steeple Building Museum. Cookie baking continues at the Bjorklund Hotel from 1 to 3 p.m., and author Mary Davidsaver will hold a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, December 6, will feature a Chocolate Walk at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will host a make-it-and-take-it Christmas tree ornament workshop for children ages 12 and under at the Steeple Building Museum from 1 to 3 p.m. Swedish vocal ensemble Kongero will teach Swedish folk songs in 2- to 4-part harmony at the Dairy Building from 1 to 2:30 p.m., followed by a concert at 7 p.m. at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons.
On both December 6 and 7, children can make edible tree ornaments at the Bjorklund Hotel from 1 to 3 p.m., using peanuts. Ornaments can be taken home or displayed on the Bishop Hill Park Christmas tree for Lucia Nights. Mary Davidsaver will have book signings at the Prairie Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Julmarknad Schedule
- Nov. 28-29, Dec. 6: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Nov. 30, Dec. 7: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Cookie Walk: Nov. 28-29, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Colony School
- Advent Wreath Workshop: Nov. 28-29, Colony School
- Dala Horse painting: Daily, Vasa National Archive
- DIY Scandinavian photo op and crafts: Daily, 1882 Peasant Works barnyard
- Cookie baking: Nov. 28-30, Bjorklund Hotel, 1–3 p.m.
- Swedish music performances: Nov. 28-30, Steeple Building Museum, 1 p.m.
- Chocolate Walk: Dec. 6, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Bishop Hill Creative Commons
- Ornament workshop: Dec. 6, 1–3 p.m., Steeple Building Museum
- Kongero folk song workshop: Dec. 6, 1–2:30 p.m., Dairy Building
- Kongero concert: Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Bishop Hill Creative Commons
- Edible ornaments: Dec. 6-7, 1–3 p.m., Bjorklund Hotel
- Book signings: Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, Prairie Arts Center, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Photo credit: Lou Lourdeau
