 Morton Community Bank presents the 33rd annual Morton Community Christmas Sing tonight (Thursday) from 5:30 - 6:30 pm in their main branch (located at 721 W. Jackson St. in Morton). Enjoy cookies, coffee, and punch beginning at 5 pm. Dana Taufer will lead the group in caroling for the 33rd year and the John Phillips Oompah Band will provide musical accompaniment. |
 Enjoy the classic "It's a Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and dinner at the turn of the century Hick'ry Stick Ballroom (located at 118 E. Main Street in Elmwood) tonight (Thursday) beginning at 6 pm. Tickets are $16.95 for adults and $10.95 for kids and includes a dinner buffet of two entrees, two sides, salad, drinks plus dessert which is served during intermission. Dinner is served from 6 - 6:45 pm and the movie begins at 6:30 pm. To purchase advance tickets, call 309-742-8900. For more information, visit www.hickrystick.com/elmwoodevents |
 It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! at the Barn 2 Dinner Theatre in Goodfield runs tonight (Thursday) through December 31st. On Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, doors open at 6 pm, buffet is at 6:30 pm, and the show is at 8 pm. On Sundays, doors & the buffet open at noon, and the show is at 1:30 pm. Prices are $34 for Thursdays, $36 for Fridays and Sunday brunch and $38 for Saturdays. For more information, call 309-965-2545 or go to www.barn2.com |
 Jinglin' Jazz at Luthy Botanical combines cool jazz tunes and the festive holiday setting of the Luthy Botanical Garden Conservatory and their candlelight pointsettia show plus a selection of delicious hors d'oeuvres and specialty wines to make a fun holiday evening. Beginning tonight (Thursday) at 6:30 pm, advance tickets are required. Admission is $25 in advance for Garden Members and $30 in advance for non-members and includes hors d'oeuvres. A cash bar will also be available. Call 309-681-3506 to purchase tickets over the phone. |
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 Whisper & Shout at the Contemporary Art Center is an open mic for sharing and inspiring poetry tonight (Thursday) with doors opening at 7:30 pm and the show beginning at 8 pm. Admission is $4 for members or $7 for non-members.
Live at the Five Spot at the Contemporary Art Center featuring Bill Porter begins at 5:30 pm on Friday. Admission is $7 for members, $10 for non-members, $6 for student & senior members and $9 for student & senior non-members.
Salsa at the Contemporary Art Center, also on Friday, will feature a dance lesson from 8:30 - 9:30 pm and open dancing from 9:30 pm - 12:30 am. A cash bar will be available. Admission is $3 for members or $6 for non-members. For more information, call 309-674-6877.
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 The 2011 Festival of Trees to benefit Crittenton Center will be held at Expo Gardens from 10 am - 8 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 10 am - 5 pm on Sunday. There will also be a kids PJ party with Santa from 5:30 - 8 pm on Saturday and a family lunch from 11 am - 1 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children & senior citizens and under 2 are free. For more information, call 309-674-0105. |
 The Spirit of Peoria Holiday Lunch Cruise on the Spirit of Peoria will board at Noon and cruise from 12:30 - 2:30 pm. Including a full buffet lunch, admission is $36 for adults, $18 for kids aged 4 - 12 and free for infants. The dinner cruise boards at 6:30 pm and cruises from 7 - 9 pm. Including a full buffet, admission for the dinner cruise is $40 for adults, $20 for ages 4-12 and free for infants.
Join Barry Cloyd and Brian "Fox" Ellis as Prairie Folklore Theatre celebrates the Spirit of the Holidays on the Spirit of Peoria with "A Celtic Christmas" connecting the ancient tales and songs of Old Ireland with today's joyous Christmas Traditions. To make reservations (required), call 800-676-8988 or visit www.spiritofpeoria.com |
 The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will perform at the Peoria Civic Center Arena on Friday for performances at 4 pm & 8 pm. Tickets range in price from $28 to $56.50 and are on sale now at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com |
 Folepi's Winter Wonderland (located at VFW Post 2078 Park off Springfield Road in East Peoria) is open from 5 - 9 pm Sundays -Thursdays and from 5 - 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Admission is $10 for cars and family vans, $20 for limos, extended vans, mini- or party-buses and RVs or $150 for full-size buses. |
 The Stocking Stuffer Holiday Store, where kids can do their holiday shopping with the help of a "personal shopper", will be held at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie on Saturdays & Sundays (Dec. 3 - 18) from Noon - 8 pm on Saturdays and Noon- 5 pm on Sundays or at Northwoods Mall (Dec. 2 - 20) on Mondays - Fridays from 4 - 8 pm, Saturdays from 10 am - 8 pm and Sundays from Noon - 5 pm. Special times are available for groups with a reservation. To schedule a private shopping time or sign up for volunteering, call 309-674-0105. Proceeds benefit the Crisis Nursery. |
 The Central Illinois Artists Organization (CIAO) Holiday Open Studios Tour will take place from 5 - 9 pm on Friday & from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday at 10 locations throughout downtown Peoria featuring 40 artists displaying painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, fiber, photography, woodcrafting and more. For location details and more information, visit www.ciaopeoria.com |
 The Annual Holiday Shop & Stroll takes place Friday from 6 - 8:30 pm at Forest Park Nature Center. This one-of-a-kind event has become a holiday tradition in central Illinois. Experience a nighttime stroll on a forest path lit with luminaries, live holiday music, storytelling and caroling, have a hot wassail and some homemade goodies, find unique nature-related artwork from the Nature Art Show & Sale and shop for eco-friendly, organic and Fair Trade items at the Trailhead Nature Store. Admission is free, however donations are requested. For more information, call 309-686-3360. |
 Candlelight Walks at Luthy Botanical Gardens will take place on Fridays and Saturday evenings from 7 - 9 pm through December 23. Visit the Poinsettia Show at night, under the warm glow of hundreds of candles, while enjoying live performances of holiday music. Admission is free. |
 Friends in Harmony will present their 6th annual Christmas concert "Comin' Up Christmas Time" at 7 pm on Friday and at 3 pm on Saturday in the Hackler Theater at Washington Intermediate School (located at 501 Washington St. in Pekin). All net proceeds will benefit local charities. Tickets for the concert are $10 and may be purchased from any group member or by calling 309-346-1896. |
 Grace Presbyterian Church will present "Portraits of Christmas" at the church (located at 8607 N. State Route 91 in Peoria) at 7 pm on Friday, at 4 pm on Saturday and at 4 pm on Sunday. The performances feature a 100 voice choir with a 50 piece orchestra with soloists and ensembles. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the church office or by calling 309-589-6436. |
 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be presented by Eastlight Theatre beginning at 7:30 pm on Friday & Saturday and at 2 pm on Sunday in the East Peoria High School auditorium. Tickets are $17 per person and are available at the Eastlight Theatre Box Office, by calling 309-699-7469 or online at www.eastlighttheatre.com |
 Plaza Suite by Neil Simon will be presented by the Corn Stock Theatre Winter Playhouse at the Corn Stock Theatre Center beginning at 7:30 pm on Friday & Saturday and at 2:30 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available at the Corn Stock Box Office, by calling 309-676-2196 or online at www.cornstocktheatre.com |
 TazWood Dance Company will present Dance Expressions at the ICC Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm on Friday & Saturday and at 2:30 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens and are available at the ICC Box Office or by calling 309-694-5136. For more information, visit www.artsaticc.com |
 Caroline Rhea will perform at the Jukebox Comedy Club on Friday & Saturday at 8 pm & 10:30 pm. Tickets are $26 or $25 with cash except the Friday 10:30 pm show which are $21 or $20 with cash. For more information, call 309-673-5853 or visit www.jukeboxcomedy.com |
 Breakfast with Santa will take place at the Peoria Glen Oak Zoo from 9 - 11 am. There will be a light breakfast and crafts with Santa in the Zoo lodge. Then beginning at 9:30 am, the animals from meerkats to lions and tigers will receive special treats throughout the day. Admission is $5 for Zoo members and $10 for non-members. For more information, call 309-686-3365. |
 Experience World War II history at Sommer Park (located at 6329 N. Koerner Road in Edwards) during Christmas on the Ghost Front on Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. Cost is $5 per vehicle. Come join World War II veterans, historians and re-enactors as the days leading up to the Battle of the Bulge are recreated at the Pioneer Homestead. Demonstrations will include soldier life, military vehicles, POW interrogation and a first aid station. |
 The Jingle Bell Run/Walk will begin on Saturday at 10 am from the RiverPlex located on the Peoria Riverfront with approximately 1,500 participants, volunteers, and spectators. For more information or to register yourself or a team visit www.jinglebellpeoria.com, call 309-682-6600. |
 The Peoria Humane Society is hosting a Howliday Boutique and Open House of Peoria County's animal shelter on Saturday from 11 am - 3 pm. Visitors can shop for gifts for their pets, tour the shelter, and enter to win prizes. Donations for the shelter are also appreciated. For more information, call 309-682-9015 or visit www.peoriahs.org |
 Enjoy a Victorian Christmas Celebration hosted by the Junior League of Peoria with a tea at the Ballance-Herschel House (located at 256 NE. Randolph Ave. in Peoria) at either 11 am or 2 pm on Saturday. Admission is $18 per person. This historic home will be decorated for the holidays in an 1800's setting. In addition, there will be vendors located upstairs for a holiday marketplace. Reservations are required: call 309-685-9312. |
 The Peoria Rivermen take on the Milwaukee Admirals in the Peoria Civic Center Arena beginning at 7 pm on Saturday.
The Rivermen also face the Rockford Ice Hogs on Sunday at 5 pm. Tickets are $12.50, $17.50, $20, $22.50, $25 and $27.50 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 |
 Mike Epps & Friends will be live at the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Saturday beginning at 8 pm. Tickets are $41 and $46 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 |
 The Wonders of Christmas with the Peoria Pops Orchestra will take place beginning at 1:30 pm on Sunday at Five Points Washington (located at 360 N. Wilmor Rd in Washington). Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens aged 62+ and youth aged 17 & under. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more: call 309-444-8222 for more information or to purchase tickets or visit
fivepointswashington.org |
 The Orpheus Club Winter Concert will be held on Sunday at the United Presbyterian Church (located at 2400 W Northmoor Road in Peoria) including Christmas carols, songs and old-time favorites sung by an all male four-part harmony chorus beginning at 3 pm. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door. |
 Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles will be performed at the at US Cellular Coliseum beginning at 6 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $55, $42.50 and $29.50 and are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, in person at U.S. Cellular Coliseum Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. |
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Plan ahead!
Visit our Events Calendar for great entertainment in the Peoria area any time. |
