BISHOP HILL – The village of Bishop Hill will host its 2025 Lucia Nights Festival of Lights on Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., celebrating a Swedish tradition honoring Saint Lucia, Queen of Light. The festival features homes and businesses illuminated with candles, and visitors will see Lucia Girls greeting guests throughout the village. Restaurants will be open both evenings and special Christmas gifts will be available for purchase at local stores.
The festival begins Friday with the Lighting of the Park Christmas Tree at 6 p.m., and visitors are invited to bring edible ornaments to hang on the tree. Following the tree lighting, a variety of free activities are planned across the village. At the Steeple Building, Coffee Creek will perform Christmas and folk music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., while the Vasa National Archives will present a pop-up display, Donald and Lucia: a Swedish Holiday Classic, with readings of short Christmas stories.
At the Prairie Arts Center, Deirdre and Fiona Light will perform holiday music on harp and accordion from 6 to 7 p.m., and The Tucked in T’s will play at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons from 6 to 9 p.m. The Galva High School Choir will sing carols while moving from building to building. The Peoria Cooperative Academy Madrigal Singers will perform at the Bishop Hill Methodist Church from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
Saturday’s events will feature similar performances. Coffee Creek will play at the Steeple Building starting at 6:30 p.m., Deirdre and Fiona Light will perform at the Prairie Arts Center from 6 to 7 p.m., and The Tucked in T’s will perform at the Creative Commons from 6 to 9 p.m. The Peoria Cooperative Academy Madrigal Singers will again perform at the Methodist Church from 6:30 to 7 p.m., and the Cambridge High School Choir will sing carols around the village.
An Old-Fashioned Barn Dance will take place at the Colony School at 7 p.m., with the Sangamo Stemwinders performing and dances called by Gail Hintze. Beginners are welcome and no partner is required.
Both evenings, the Bishop Hill Community United Methodist Church will host a Soup and Chili Supper beginning at 4 p.m. until meals run out, with a free-will donation requested. A selfie station featuring Lucia and Tomte costumes will be set up at the Colony Church, and carols around a campfire will take place at J. Goard Pottery.
Lucia Nights is organized by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association and is partly funded by Community State Bank, the Illinois Arts Council, and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation.
For more details, visit www.visitbishophill.com or call 309-927-3899.
2025 Lucia Nights Schedule
Friday, December 12
- Christmas Tree Lighting, Village Park, 6 p.m.
- Soup and Chili Supper, Bishop Hill Community United Methodist Church, 4 p.m. until meals run out
- Peoria Cooperative Academy Madrigal Singers, Methodist Church, 6:30–7 p.m.
- Vasa National Archives display, Donald and Lucia: a Swedish Holiday Classic, 6–9 p.m.
- Coffee Creek, Steeple Building, 6:30 p.m.
- Deirdre and Fiona Light, Prairie Arts Center, 6–7 p.m.
- Galva High School Choir, caroling around village, 6–9 p.m.
- The Tucked in T’s, Creative Commons, 6–9 p.m.
- Selfie station, Colony Church
- Carols around fire, J. Goard Pottery
Saturday, December 13
- Soup and Chili Supper, Bishop Hill Community United Methodist Church, 4 p.m. until meals run out
- Peoria Cooperative Academy Madrigal Singers, Methodist Church, 6:30–7 p.m.
- Vasa National Archives display, Donald and Lucia: a Swedish Holiday Classic, 6–9 p.m.
- Coffee Creek, Steeple Building, 6:30 p.m.
- Deirdre and Fiona Light, Prairie Arts Center, 6–7 p.m.
- Cambridge High School Choir, caroling around village, 6–9 p.m.
- The Tucked in T’s, Creative Commons, 6–9 p.m.
- Carols around fire, J. Goard Pottery
- Selfie station, Colony Church
- Old-Fashioned Barn Dance, Colony School, 7 p.m.
All activities are free.
Photos Courtesy of Lou Lourdeau
