Swedish Christmas Market opens holiday season at Bishop Hill

BISHOP HILL - The holiday season will be opened the traditional Swedish way during Julmarknad, or Christmas Market, to be held November 23, 24 and 25 and December 1 and 2 at Bishop Hill State Historic Site. Julmarknad is reminiscent of medieval Scandinavian markets featuring the handcrafted wares of local artisans.

Visitors will find the entire village adorned with traditional Swedish holiday decorations. Stores will have ample supplies of traditional decorations, pottery, baskets, brooms, toys, food, and other items for sale. The Julmarknad will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Swedish folk characters Jultomte (Christmas gnome) and Julbok (Christmas goat-man) will wander throughout the village both weekends. A Cookie Walk, with homemade baked goods and candies that may be purchased by the pound, will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 23 - 25 at the Colony School. A performance of the Swedish keyed fiddle by Lisa Horngren will take place in the Colony Church at 2 p.m. during all five days of Julmarknad. Artisans will demonstrate various skills throughout the village.

The Bjorklund Hotel will feature cookie baking in the restored 1860s hotel kitchen from 1 to 3 p.m. November 23, 24 and 25 and old fashioned candy making in the kitchen from 1 to 3 p.m. December 1 and 2.

The Steeple Building will be the location of several activities during Julmarknad weekends. A Chocolate Walk, featuring holiday treats that may be purchased, will be held December 1 and 2. Make and take workshops, where children may make seasonal ornaments, will be held November 23 and 24 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Julmarknad events are brought to you by the Bishop Hill Arts Council in cooperation with Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Bishop Hill Old Settlers' Association, and Bishop Hill Community Methodist Church.

Bishop Hill State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, was settled in 1846 by Swedish religious dissidents as a "utopia on the prairie." It is located 30 miles northeast of Galesburg and 12 miles southwest of Kewanee off U.S. Highway 34. Free tours of the Museum, Old Colony Church and Bjorklund Hotel, which are owned by the state, are offered Wednesday through Sunday.