Fri. 11/27
Yule Like Peoria
Trolley will give free
rides throughout
downtown Peoria
from 6-9 pm

Sat. 11/28
Cirque Dreams
Illumination
Buses will leave
Junction City &
Evergreen Square
at 7:30 pm

Wildlife Prairie State Park hosts its Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet Thursday from 11 am - 3 pm.  The buffet is $15.99 for adults, $11.99 for ages 4-12 years and free for ages 3 & under. Members receive a 10% discount. Admission to the park, tax & gratuity are not included in the prices above. Limited seating is available and reservations are required. Please call the park at 676-0998 for availability.

Holiday Inn City Centre presents Breakfast with Santa on Friday before the annual Santa Claus Parade from 7:30 - 9:45 am. Adults are $12.95, children are $6.95 and 4 and under are free. Call 674-2500 for reservations.

The 122nd Annual Parade will step off at 10:15 am Friday in downtown Peoria, featuring costumed characters, novelty walking units, horse units, decorated floats, marching bands, and of course Santa Claus. The parade will be telecast live on WMBD-TV and has been sponsored by South Side Bank for the past 52 years.

Family House will present their Eighth Annual "Christmas Magic" event on Friday immediately following the Santa Claus Parade at the Hotel Pere Marquette. A fundraising event to benefit Family House and its mission of service, Christmas Magic will feature entertainment, activities and lunch for $15 for children and $20 for adults. For tickets or more information visit that Family House website or call Peg Murphy at 685-5300.

Dorann & the Soul Mystics will perform at the Contemporary Art Center 's Live at the Five Spot on Friday from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Tickets are $7 for members and $10 for non-members. For more information call 674-6822.

The Peoria Rivermen will take on the Manitoba Moose in the Peoria Civic Center (Carver) Arena beginning at 7 pm on Friday.
On Saturday, the Rivermen will face the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 pm in the Arena. Tickets for both games are $15 and $20 and are available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com

Luthy Botanical Gardens in Glen Oak Park will offer Candlelight Walks of their Poinsettia Show on Friday and Saturday from 7 - 9 pm under the warm glow of hundreds of candles and featuring live holiday music. Conservatory admission will be waived during these evenings, however, donations are always accepted. For more information, call 686-3362.

The 19th Annual FOLEPI River Trail Classic will take place Saturday beginning at 8:30 am on the River Trail of Illinois. The event is open to men, women and children of all ages. For more information, call 253-2420.

The Festival of Lights Holiday Cruise matinee features a buffet, a two-hour cruise and entertainment by Prairie Forklore Theatre. The cruise boards Saturday at Noon and returns to dock at 2:30 pm. Adults are $36 each, children ages 4-12 are $18 each, and children 3 & under eat free. Prices include tax & service charge. Call 800-676-8988 to make advance reservations.

The East Peoria Festival of Lights annual Parade of Lights begins at 5:45 pm on Saturday travelling three miles starting at the intersection of Dolans Lane & East Washington Street and ending just past downtown East Peoria. The parade features 30 floats shaped entirely from lights. For more information, call 800-365-3743.

A Christmas Celebration With Rachel West Kramer with special guest Jairo Arvizu is Saturday at the Caterpillar Performing Arts Center at Five Points in Washington beginning at 7 pm. The show will include many familiar classics and traditional favorites. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, children aged 12 & unde are $6. Group discounts are also available. To order tickets, call 383-2828.

Enjoy Historic Holiday Traditions with the East Peoria Historical Society on Sunday for tours of the 129-year-old Doering Homeplace. Tour times are 1 - 4 pm or 6 - 8 pm (evening by candlelight). Doering Homeplace is located at 326 Pekin Ave in East Peoria. Admission is free.

Glen Oak Christian Church presents Carols and Candles, their annual holiday event celebrating the start of Advent, on Sunday beginning at 6 pm. Christmas carols will be sung by candlelight and holiday refreshments will also be served. Glen Oak Christian Church is located at 1115 E. Republic in Peoria. Call 688-3464 for more information.