Julmarknad began Friday, Nov. 24, in the historic village of Bishop Hill, as shops decked out for the holidays and shoppers took a cookie walk or made wreaths at an advent workshop. The annual Christmas market continues on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, Nov. 26, from 11 am to 4 pm. On Dec. 2, the hours will be from 10 to 4 pm and on Dec. 3, the hours for the market will be 11 am to 4 pm.
On Saturday Nov. 25 only, the Cookie Walk will continue at the Colony School. Dee Schroeder Photography will be at the Colony School taking holiday portraits for a fee from 9 am to 3 pm.
Authors Jannifer Powelson and Mary Davidsaver will have a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 10 am to 3 pm. Saturday is also Small Business Saturday, where people are asked to support the local economy and shop the small businesses of historic Bishop Hill.
On Sunday Nov. 26 only, author Mary Davidsaver will have a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 10 am to 3 pm. In addition, Kongero, a touring Swedish Folk’appella group, will conduct a workshop on Swedish folk and Christmas songs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Dairy Building. The free walk-in workshop is open to all ages and attendees will learn how to sing a variety of holiday songs. Later at 7 pm, a Kongero’s concert will be held at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons.
On Saturday Dec. 2 only, a Chocolate Walk will be held at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons from 10 am to 3 pm. Shoppers can purchase quality homemade chocolates by the pound. Also, the BHHA volunteers are sponsoring a make it/take it Christmas tree ornament workshop for children ages 12 and under at the Steeple Building Museum. Kids will have a choice of several types of ornaments to make and to take home to put on their Christmas tree. This is a free activity occurring from 1- 3 p.m.
For more information about Julmarknad activities, please call 309-927-3899 or visit www.visitbishophill.com. Julmarknad events are sponsored, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. American Rescue Plan Funds from Henry County, approved by the Henry County Board, were used to partially support this event.
