Santa's Wildlife Express, Disney on Ice, A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker & Brunch with Santa
Published: Thu, 12/06/12
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Published: Thu, 12/06/12
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Please Forward to Your Friends & Family and
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The 29th Annual Stocking Stuffer Store will take place at Northwoods Mall &
the Shoppes at Grand Prairie through December 19 where children ages 12 and
under can shop (with the assistance of a volunteer) for holiday presents for
parents, grandparents, siblings - whomever they wish - while parents relax in a
seating area located outside the store. Gifts range from $1 - $8. Locations &
Hours are: Mondays - Fridays from 4 - 8 pm, Saturdays from 10 am - 8 pm and
Sundays from noon - 5 pm at Northwoods Mall (Located in the upper Level near
Sears, across from The Smo-King Pit) and Saturdays & Sundays from noon - 5 pm at
the Shoppes at Grand Prairie (in the former Borders Location) on Saturday &
Sunday only. All proceeds benefit Crittenton Centers. For more information, call
309-674-0105 or visit 
Santa's
Wildlife Express at Wildlife Prairie Park is an enchanting evening full of
holiday festivities running from 5 - 9 pm tonight (Thursday) through Saturday.
Ride the Zephyr Train through Santa's Wildlife Forest, mingle with Santa's
feathered and furry animal friends, make crafts with the elves, munch on cookies
and sip on hot cocoa with Mrs. Claus, hike on illuminated animal trails and
visit with Santa at this holiday event. Admission is $10 for members and $12 for
non-members $12 aged 14+ and $15 for members and $18 for non-member children.
Children ages 1 & under are free. Reservations are required as seating will be
limited and may be made by calling 309-676-0998. For more information, visit
The
Washington Chamber of Commerce will host the Washington Square Candlelight
Stroll tonight (Thursday) from 5 - 9 pm. Enjoy shopping, carriage rides and
a special visit from Santa. The Courier Christmas Sing will begin at 6:30 pm and
the lighting of the tree will happen at 7:15 pm. Admission is free. For more
information, visit 
The 34th annual Morton Community Christmas Sing will take place tonight
(Thursday) at Morton Community Bank (located at 721 W. Jackson Street in Morton)
from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Enjoy cookies, coffee and punch while listening to the
music of the John Phillips Oompah Band. For more information, call 309-266-5337.
Home
for the Holidays continues at the Barn 2 Dinner Theatre in Goodfield tonight
(Thursday) through December 31. 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 
FOLEPI's
Winter Wonderland is open through New
Year's Eve at the VFW Post 2078 Park off Springfield Road in East Peoria. Hours
are 5 - 9 pm Sundays - Thursdays and 5 - 11 pm on Fridays & Saturdays. Cost is
$10 for cars & vans, $20 for limousines, extended vans and party buses and RVs
and $150 for full size buses. Cash & debit cards are accepted for payment. For
more information, visit
The Central Illinois Herpetological Society will meet at Forest Park Nature
Center tonight (Thursday) at 7 pm featuring a speaker, raffles, announcements of
trips and exhibits and opportunities for hobbyists to interact with one another.
Admission is free. Membership to the CIHS is $20 per year which includes the
quarterly newsletter, Herp Alert. The Society meets the first Thursday every
month at this time at Forest Park Nature Center.
Disney
On Ice: Treasure Trove will be at the Peoria Civic Center Arena for seven
performances tonight (Thursday) & Friday at 7 pm, at 11 am, 3 pm & 7 pm on
Saturday and at 1 pm & 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $10.50, $17, $23, $36 and $46
and are available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster
outlets, online at 
Eastlight
Theatre continues their run of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
in the East Peoria High School Auditorium beginning at 7:30 pm tonight
(Thursday) as well as on Friday & Saturday and
at 2 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $19 and are available online at
Whisper
& Shout at the Contemporary Art Center is an open mic for sharing and
inspiring poetry. Doors open tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 pm, show begins at 8 pm.
Admission is $4 for members or $7 for non-members. 
Live
at the Five Spot at the Contemporary Art Center will feature Cousin Eddie
(pop, rock) beginning 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 will feature a dance lesson on Friday from
8:30 - 9:30 pm and open dancing to DJ Matt Vasquez 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 on any of these events, call 309-674-6877 or visit
Johnny
Beehner will perform at the Jukebox Comedy Club tonight (Thursday) at 8 pm
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm & 10:30 pm. Tickets are $14 except for the Thursday 8
pm and Friday & Saturday 10:30 pm shows, which are $12. For more information and
to reserve seats, call 309-673-5853 or visit
Enjoy
a Holiday Breakfast with Greg and Dan on Friday from 7:30 - 9 am at the
Peoria Riverfront Museum plus the 13th annual Holiday Luncheon, featuring a
silent auction, raffle and catering by Cracked Pepper, beginning at 11 am.
Peoria Riverfront Museum President/CEO Jim Richerson will host a gallery walk
beginning at 1:15 pm. Cost is $25 per person. For more information, call
309-863-3010 or visit 
A Downton Abbey Season 2 Marathon will continue through December 21st from
10:30 am - Noon on Fridays at the North Branch of the Peoria Public Library
(located at 3001 W Grand Pkwy. in Peoria). Every Friday an episode from
Season 2 will be presented from this program that explores the impact of WWI on
the people of Great Britain. Admission is free and light refreshments will be
served. For more information, visit 
A Local Artists' Holiday Showcase and Sale will be held at the Shoppes of
Grand Prairie showcasing the works of local artists over the holiday season
featuring glassblowers, wood turners, jewelry-makers, clay throwers and more in
the old bookstore on the S.E. corner of the Shoppes complex. Hours are 4 - 8 on
Fridays and Noon - 6 pm on Saturdays through December 23. For more information,
call 309-692-3672.
Enjoy
a holiday tradition of Candlelight Walks at Luthy Botanical Garden
(located at 2520 N. Prospect (corner of Prospect & Gift in Peoria) on Friday &
Saturday from 6 - 9 pm. The Poinsettia Show under the warm glow of hundreds of
candles is enhanced with live performances of holiday music. Admission will be
waived during the holidays, although donations are always accepted. For more
information, visit 
Forest
Park Nature Center (located at 5809 Forest Park Drive in Peoria Heights) will
host its annual Holiday Shop & Stroll on Friday from 6 - 8:30 pm. Take a
walk along the illuminated forest paths and enjoy live music, storytelling,
caroling, hot wassail and homemade goodies. While there, check out the annual
Nature Art Show, which runs through December 29th and features photography,
paintings, woodcarvings and more by local artists. For more information, call
309-686-3360.
The CIAO First Fridays Artists' Tour will take place this Friday from 5 - 9
pm at 10 different locations in downtown Peoria including The Mill, Murray
Center for the Arts, the Contemporary Art Center, and the Peoria Art Guild where
visitors can view artist demonstrations as well as purchase pieces. For a
complete map of the locations, visit 
Celebrate
the spirit of the holidays on the Illinois River with "A Celtic Christmas"
on the Spirit of Peoria featuring a hot homemade buffet, two-hour cruise and
entertainment. On Friday, the dinner cruise boards at 6:30 pm and returning to
dock by 9 pm for $43 per person or $21.50 for children aged 4 - 12. Children 3
and under eat free including tax and gratuity. To make reservations for
individuals or groups, call 1-800-676-8988.
Corn
Stock for Kids continues their production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Corn
Stock Theatre Center (located in upper Bradley Park) beginning at 7:30 pm on
Friday and at 2:30 pm on Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults & $6 for
children and are available at the Corn Stock Box Office, by phone at
309-676-2196 or online at
A
Christmas Carol - The Musical will be presented by Peoria Players Theatre
opens on Friday at 7:30 pm with a performance on Saturday also at 7:30 pm and a
Sunday performance at 2 pm. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for patrons 18 and
under and $12 for all ages on Wednesday, December 12 and are available at the
Peoria Players Box Office, by calling 309-688-4473 or online at
Keokuk
Junction Railway Co. will be operate its annual Santa Train where Santa
Claus will be on hand making six stops along the KJRY's railroad line to visit
children, provide railroad safety demonstrations and to confirm their Christmas
lists. The route begins in Mapleton at Mapleton Road on Saturday with an 8:30 am
arrival and continues through 5:15 pm making several additional stops (visit the
Do
some holiday shopping at the Embassy Suites Convention Center on Saturday from 9
am - 2: pm at the Holiday Craft and Vendor Show. With over 30 vendors,
cash and carry items will be available for purchase including Scentsy, Mary Kay,
Tupperware, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Watkins, Norwex, Miche, It works,
Carlson Crafts, Jockey, Silpada, Beijo, Thirty One, Nail Art, Paparzzi plus
there will be hand made crafts available too. 
Christmas
on the Ghost Front will be held at Sommer Park (located at 6329 N. Koerner
Road in Edwards) on Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. 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. Admission is $5
per vehicle.
Chocolate
in the Heights will take place on Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm at
participating businesses in downtown Peoria Heights offering special chocolate
treats and discounts on chocolate for the holidays. For more information, visit
The
Harmonie-Concordia Singers of the Peoria German-American Society will host a
Kristkindlmarkt at the Lindenhof (located at 7601 N. Harker Drive in Peoria
across from Finish Line Ford) from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and from Noon - 5 pm
on Sunday. Find arts and crafts plus imported items from Germany and Austria.
Food and beverage will also be available including bratwurst, schnitzel,
homemade strudel, glühwein, hot chocolate, Bavarian pretzels, and German beer.
Entertainment features the Lindehhof Echoes (alpine horn group), a brass group
playing Christmas Carols, Christmas Carolers and a strolling accordion player.
Santa Claus will be available beginning at 1 - 4 pm each day. Admission is free.
Attendees are encouraged to bring canned or non-perishable foods to the event
for donation to local food pantries. For more information, call 309-444-4656 or
visit 
The
Junior League of Peoria will host a Victorian Christmas Celebration at
the historic Balance Herschel House (located at 256 NE. Randolph Ave. in Peoria)
on Saturday for a 11 am and a 2 pm Tea. Tickets are $20 per person and are only
sold in advance as seating is limited. For more information or to make
reservations for this event, call 309-685-9312. 
Join
the farm animals in the Big Barn at Linden Hill Farms (located at 8412 W.
Middle Road in Peoria) on Saturday from 4 - 5 pm as they settle down for the
night to hear the Christmas story. Sing Christmas Carols and share the joy of
the season during the frosty winter evenings. Cookies and hot chocolate
provided. Admission is $5 for adults, children under 3 are free. Call
309-697-4041 to make reservations. For more information, visit
The 8th Body Fitness Annual Christmas Gala (located at 3020 N.
University in Peoria) will take place on Saturday from 7 pm - Midnight. Enjoy
hors d'oeuvres & dancing featuring swing, latin, ballroom and more plus dance
and vocal performances. Cost is $12 per person or $20 per couple or $15 per
person at the door. Members & students are $5 (high school/college) prepaid or
$10 at the door. Attire is dressy (no jeans please). For more information, call
309-685-1950.
The
Spirit of Peoria will host North Pole Naughtiness, a Murder Mystery Cruise
with on Saturday boarding at 7 pm and cruise from 8 - 10 pm. Who done it? And
why? This interactive cruise is more than a shot in the dark. The cast of the
Champaign-Urbana Theater Company will dine and mingle with you as the mystery
unfolds. Tickets are $47 for adults and $23.50 for kids ages 4 - 12 and
reservations may be made by calling 309-637-8000 or online at
The
Peoria Ballet will present The Nutcracker at the Peoria Civic Center
Theater beginning at 7:30 pm on Saturday and at 2 pm on Sunday. Tickets range
from $10 to $43 and are on sale at the Peoria Civic Center, all Ticketmaster
outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at
Holiday
Brunch with Santa at Wildlife Prairie Park will take place on Sunday from 10
am - 2:30 pm in the Prairie Hall. Enjoy a Holiday feast and visit with Santa
Claus. Admission is $18 for adults (ages 11 and up), $7.95 for children (ages
3-10) and free for ages 2 and under. Reservations may be made by calling
309-676-0998. For more information, visit
Enjoy Christmas with the Philharmonic at the ICC Performing Arts Center in East
Peoria on Sunday for an afternoon of Christmas music and fellowship beginning at
3 pm. Tickets are $10 and $8 for students and senior citizens, and are available
at the ICC box office or calling 309-694-5136.