 Folepi's Winter Wonderland (located at VFW Post 2078 Park off Springfield Road in East Peoria) opens 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. |
 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 $38 for Saturdays. For more information, call 309-965-2545 or go to www.barn2.com |
 Rapper Wiz Khalifa will perform tonight (Thursday) at the US Cellular Coliseum beginning at 7:30 pm. Special guests include Curren$y, Chevy Woods and Speedy Calhoun. Tickets are $39.50 and $29.50 plus a limited number of VIP General Admission Pit tickets are available at $59.50. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the U.S. Cellular Coliseum Box Office, www.ticketmaster.com, select Walmart locations or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 |
 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be presented by Eastlight Theatre beginning at 7:30 pm tonight (Thursday) 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 699-7469 or online at www.eastlighttheatre.com |
 Geoff Tate will perform at the Jukebox Comedy Club tonight (Thursday) at 8 pm and Friday & Saturday at 8 pm & 10:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for the Thursday show and $12 for the Friday and Saturday shows. For more information, call 309-673-5853 or visit www.jukeboxcomedy.com |
 The Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist will host their Third Annual Christmas Bake and Craft Sale at their convent (located at 1209 E. Lake Ave, Peoria Heights) on Friday - Sunday from 9 am - 6 pm each day. All items are hand made by the Sisters and include Christmas ornaments, cross stitch pillows and pictures, Christmas stockings, knitted baby blankets and scarves, Christmas centerpieces, aprons, jewelry, and more. All baked goods are home made from scratch. Proceeds support Sisters' mission. |
 Discover the Dinosaurs will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on Friday from 12 - 9 pm, on Saturday from 10 am - 8 pm and on Sunday from 11 am - 6 pm. Admission is $12 for ages 12 - 65, $8 for ages 2 - 12 and free for ages under 2. For more information, visit discoverthedinosaurs.com |
 Common Place will hold a Scholastic Book Fair at the former Borders location in the Shoppes at Grand Prairie from 4:30 -7:30 pm on Friday and 11 am - 6 pm on Saturday & Sunday. Common Place will receive 40% of the proceeds for the first $2,000 raised, and half of proceeds for anything above $2,000. The funds raised will provide books for students and adults who use the organization's tutoring and literacy programs. |
 The Spirit of Peoria Holiday Lunch Cruise on the Spirit of Peoria on Friday & Saturday with boarding at Noon and the 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 on Friday & Saturday 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
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 The Christmas on Court Luminary Walk will take place on Friday in downtown Pekin from 5 - 8 pm featuring strolling carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, outdoor theatre and photos with Santa. For more information, call 309-353-3100 or visit www.pekinmainstreet.com |
 Bring the kids to the Polar Express Experience at Wildlife Prairie State Park from 4:30 - 9 pm on Friday & Saturday and from 11:30 am - 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $17 per for ages 1-13 or $15 for members aged 1-13 and $6.50 for ages 15 and up or $5 for members aged 15 and up and free for under 1. Reservations are recommended as seating will be limited: call 676-0998. On Friday and Saturday, the last train runs at 8 pm and on Sunday, the last train runs at 3 pm. |
 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 |
 Live at the Five Spot at the Contemporary Art Center featuring Dorann & the Soul Mystics begins at 5:30 pm on Friday. Admission: $7 for members or $10 for non-members, $6 for student & senior members and $9 for student & senior non-members. |
 The Annual Holiday Shop & Stroll takes place on 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. |
 Howlin' on Water Dueling Pianos will take place at the Waterhouse on Friday and Saturday beginning at 6 pm. Dinner and the show is $37 per person including tax. Seating is limited: reservations are required and can be made by calling 309-494-9100 or online at http://artstix.artspartners.net/eventperformances.asp?evt=19 |
 The Peoria Historical Society will host Holiday Candlelight Tours at their Pettengill-Morron House Museum from 6 - 8 pm on Friday & Saturday and from 2 - 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults & $3 for children aged 5 - 12 at the door. |
 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. |
 Christmastime Gospelfest featuring Shawn Degenhart and the Gospelfest Singers will perform in concert at the Five Points Washington Performing Arts Center on Friday beginning at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door and may be purchased at the Berean Bookstore, at the front desk at Five Points Washington, by calling 309-472-0027. Group rates are available. |
 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. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available at the Corn Stock Box Office, by calling 676-2196 or online at www.cornstocktheatre.com |
 The Prairie Wind Ensemble will perform in concert on Friday at the ICC Performing Arts Center (located at 1 College Drive in East Peoria) beginning at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students and are available at the ICC Box Office or by calling 309-694-5136. |
 Enjoy Breakfast with Santa at Jillian's Grille in the Shoppes at Grand Prairie on Saturday beginning at 9 am featuring Santa & Mrs. Claus too. Breakfast includes a buffet-style breakfast with pancakes, eggs and bacon, a $5 Jillian's Game Card, balloon art and a visit with Santa. Cost is $10 for ages over 2, $12 for adults. There is no charge for children under 2. Tickets are $15 at the door. Call 309-740-0149 to reserve your spot. |
 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 Dax Locke Foundation will host a Heart of Christmas Event in the Peoria Civic Center Exhibit Hall A on Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. There will be homemade crafts vendors on hand as well as crafts for kids to create, photos with Santa, raffles and homemade treats that make great holiday gifts. There will also be a collection of unwrapped, new presents for Santa to deliver to kids in the hospital. Admission is free. For more information, email juliealocke@yahoo.com |
 The Keokuk Junction Railway Co. will be operating its annual Santa Train on Saturday. Santa Claus will join Keokuk Junction Railway Co. and will make six stops along the KJRY's railroad line to visit children, provide railroad safety demonstrations and to confirm their Christmas lists. Minimum donation is $10 per person: a limited number of passenger tickets are available at the Salvation Army - Canton Corps (located at 176 S First Ave in Canton) or by calling 309-647-0732 or tickets can be purchased when boarding the train. For full details of stops and times, visit http://www.pioneer-railcorp.com/santa%20train%20and%20visit.htm All proceeds benefit the Salvation Army - Canton Corps.
Santa will be stopping by for a visit on Sunday at Pioneer Railcorp's Corporate Headquarters (located at 1318 S. Johanson Road in Peoria off of Airport Road, across from CEFCU) from 1 - 4 pm. This event is free of charge. Children will have the opportunity to meet Santa aboard his stationary caboose. |
 The 2011 Artist's Gift Show will be held at the Peoria Art Guild (located at 203 Harrison Street in downtown Peoria) on Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm. Featuring paintings, jewelry, pottery and photography and more created by local artists. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Peoria Art Guild. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Call 309-637-2787 or visit www.peoriaartguild.org for more information. |
 The Peoria Ballet will present The Nutcracker at the Peoria Civic Center Theater beginning at 7:30 pm on Saturday & 2 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $10 - $43 and are available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and onlne at Ticketmaster.com |
 The Body Fitness 7th Annual Christmas Gala will feature hors d'oeuvres & Dancing including swing, Latin, and ballroom on Saturday from 7 pm - Midnight. Admission is $12 per person or $20 per couple prepaid or $15 per person at the door. Attire is dressy. RSVP are required by calling 309-685-1950. |
 The Gateway Building Holiday Gift Sale will take place at the Gateway Building Grand Ballroom on Sunday from 9 am - 2 pm. It's not too late to find the perfect gift for that special someone: you'll find a wide assortment of gifts and products. Admission is free. Toys for Tots donations will be collected at the event also. For more information, call 309-494-6713. |
 The Philharmonic Chorale will present a concert at the ICC Performing Arts Center on Sunday beginning at 3 pm. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 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 |
 St. Paul's Episcopal Church will host their annual Sing It Yourself Messiah at the church (located at 3601 N. North Street in Peoria) on Sunday beginning at 2:30 pm. Conducted by Dr. John Jost, with the special Handel orchestra and Dr. J. Douglas McQueen at the cathedral organ, experience the beauty and emotion of this holiday tradition. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray the expenses. Refreshments will be served during intermission. |
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Plan ahead!
Visit our Events Calendar for great entertainment in the Peoria area any time. |
