Stocking Stuffer Store, Santa's Wildlife Express, Dueling Pianos, Rivermen, Joesph & Holiday Concerts
Published: Thu, 12/05/13
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Published: Thu, 12/05/13
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Please Forward to Your Friends & Family and follow us
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The
Forest Park Nature Center (located at
5809 N. Forest Park Drive in Peoria
Heights) Nature Art Show & Sale
will be held today (Thursday) through Saturday from 9 am
- 5 pm and Sunday from 1 - 5 pm
featuring a diversity of media and
unique artwork, all created by talented
local artists. It is a great way to
support local artists and find original
nature-related photographs, paintings,
woodcarvings, handmade jewelry and more.
For more information, call 309-686-3360
or visit 
The 30th Annual Stocking Stuffer Store will take place at Northwoods Mall &
the Shoppes at Grand Prairie through
December 22 where children ages 12 and
under can shop (with the assistance of
an adult volunteer) for holiday presents
for parents, grandparents, siblings,
etc. 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 on
Saturdays & Sundays from noon - 5 pm at
the Shoppes at Grand Prairie (located
next to Justice) on December 6 - 8, 13 -
22 Mondays - Fridays from 4:30 pm - 7:30
pm and Saturdays & Sundays from Noon - 5
pm. All proceeds benefit Crittenton
Centers. For more information, call
309-674-0105 or visit 
Folepi's
Winter Wonderland continues through New
Year's Eve at the VFW Post 2078 Park off
Springfield Road (located at 123 Par 3
Lane in East Peoria). Drive through a
million sparkles of excitement in the
Festival of Lights' signature event. Folepi's Winter Wonderland features the
majority of the Parade of Lights floats
and many other lighted displays.
Hours are 5 - 9 pm Sundays through
Thursdays and 5 - 11 pm on Fridays &
Saturdays. Cost is $10 for all vehicles
excepts full size buses, which are $150.
For more information, visit 
Enjoy Girls' Night Out at Wines 'N More
(located at 151 S. Main Street in
Morton) featuring a complimentary wine
tasting tonight (Thursday) from 5 - 7 pm
and women can enjoy select wines for $5
per glass in the Wine Bar. Gourmet
appetizers and small plates will be
available plus premium microbrews and
wines by the glass, flight or bottle
from the wine list. For more
information, call 309-291-0899.
Deck
the Halls continues tonight
(Thursday) through
Sunday
at the Barn 2 Dinner Theatre in Goodfield and runs 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 $37 for Fridays and Sunday
brunch and $39 for Saturdays. For more information, call 309-965-2545 or go to 
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.
Folepi's
Gifts Galore Fine Art & Gift Show
will be held from 4 - 9 pm on Friday and
from Noon - 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday
at the new Civic Plaza in East Peoria's
Levee District (located at 400 Richland
St. in East Peoria). Admission is free.
Santa will appear from 2 - 4 pm on
Saturday and from 4 - 6 pm on Sunday.
Approximately 30 area artists will
display and sell their creations
including holiday decorations, unique
hats and apparel, jewelry, ceramics,
paintings, small sculpture, glass-blown
items, handmade greeting cards and more.
All items are original works. For more
information, visit 
Whisper
& Shout will take place at the
Contemporary Art Center tonight
(Thursday) beginning at 8 pm and is an
open mic for sharing and inspiring
poetry. Admission is $4 for members or
$7 for non-members. For more
information, call 309-674-6822.
Live
at the Five Spot at the Contemporary Art
Center will feature JuJu Jonnyon Friday beginning at
5:30 pm. 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 also 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, call 309-674-6877. For more
information, call 309-674-6877 or visit 
Costaki
Economopoulus will perform at the
Jukebox Comedy Club tonight (Thursday)
at 8 pm and on Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
& 10:30 pm. Tickets are $15 for all
shows except the Thursday and Friday
10:30 pm show, which are $12. For more
information and to reserve seats, call
309-673-5853 or visit
Barry
Cloyd and Brian "Fox" Ellis of Prairie
Folklore Theatre celebrate the Spirit of
the Holidays on the Spirit of Peoria
with A Celtic Christmas on the
Spirit of Peoria on Friday and Saturday
with boarding beginning at Noon and
cruise running from 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm.
Tickets are $39 for adults and $19.50
for children aged 4 - 12 and are
available by calling 309-637-8000 or
online at 
Santa's
Wildlife Express at Wildlife Prairie
Park is an enchanting evening full of
holiday festivities that runs from 4 - 9
pm on Friday and 3 - 9 pm on Saturday.
Ride the train on the lighted trail,
make crafts, decorate cookies and see
animals experience their own version of
Christmas and more. Admission is $10 for
members 2 and up and $12 for non-members
aged 2 and up. 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 CIAO First Fridays Artists' Tour
will take place from 5 - 9 pm at ten
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 
The
Pekin Main Street Christmas on Court
Luminary Walk will take place on
Friday from 5 - 7 pm with more than
1,000 luminaries on the downtown
Business District on Court Street.
Featuring business open houses,
strolling carolers, carriage rides,
outdoor theater and photos with Santa,
admission is free. For more information,
call 309-353-3100 or visit
Enjoy
a Candlelight Walk at Luthy Botanical
Garden (located at 2520 N. Prospect
in Peoria) on Fridays and Saturdays
through December 20th from 6 - 9 pm. The
walk takes you through the Poinsettia
Show at night, under the warm glow of
hundreds of candles, while enjoying live
performances of holiday music. Admission
will be waived during the holidays,
although donations are accepted. For
more information, call 309-686-3362 or
visit
A Holiday Shop and Stroll will take
place on Friday from 6 - 8:30 pm at
Forest Park Nature Center (located at
5809 N. Forest Park Drive in Peoria
Heights). Experience a nighttime stroll
on a forest path lit with luminaries,
enjoy live holiday music, storytelling
and caroling, hot wassail and homemade
goodies plus 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. For more information, call
309-686-3360 or visit
The Howlin' on Water Holiday Party
featuring dinner and the show will take
place on Friday at The Waterhouse
(located at 619 SW Water Street in
Peoria) beginning at 6:30 pm. Cost is
$38 and includes a two entree buffet
dinner and the dueling pianos show. A
full cash bar will be available.
Reservations are required and my be made
by calling 309-494-9100 or emailing 
Bradley
University will host their annual "New
Faces 2013" Play Festival at
Hartmann Center for the Performing Arts
on the Bradley campus on Friday and
Saturday beginning at 7 pm each night.
Tickets are $7 for the general public
and $5 for students and are available by
calling the box office at 309-677-2650.
The 2nd Annual Madrigal Dinner Feaste
will be presented by Peoria High School
(located at 1615 N. North St. in Peoria)
Mixed Ensemble and the Preparatory
School for the Arts on Friday beginning
at 7 pm. Tickets are $20 and include the
meal and entertainment and are available
at the the Peoria High School Office or
by calling 309-672-6630. Cash, Check,
Credit Cards accepted. Groups of 6 or
more $15 per ticket. For more
information, email
Wines
'N More (located at 151 S Main Street in
Morton) will present Paul Weddle
in their Wine Bar with sounds of jazz
sax and flute on Friday from 7 - 9 pm.
Paul has played nationally and
internationally for over 30 years,
including commercial work in radio and
television. He's backed such artists as
BB King, the Doobie Brothers and Dr.
John. For more information, call
309-291-0899 or visit 
The
Peoria Rivermen will take on the
Huntsville Havoc at the Peoria Civic
Center Arena on Friday and on Saturday beginning at 7:15
pm each night. Tickets are $17 and $20 for lower
bowl tickets and $10 and $12 for upper
bowl tickets and are on sale now at the
Peoria Civic Center, all Ticketmaster
locations, by phone at 309-676-1040 or
online at 
Friends
in Harmony presents its eighth annual
Christmas Charity Extravaganza "A
Hometown Christmas" on at 7 pm on
Friday and 3 pm on Saturday in the
auditorium of Washington Intermediate
School (located at 501 Washington Street
in Pekin). There will also be a raffle
and performances by the Friends in
Harmony Orchestra and Junior Friends.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in
advance through Friends members or at
Steger's Furniture. Proceeds benefit the
United Way. For more information, call
309-246-1896.
Eastlight
Theatre will present Joseph & the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the
East Peoria High School Auditorium
beginning at 7:30 pm on Friday &
Saturday and at 2 pm on Sunday. Tickets
are $19 and are available online at 
Seussical
the Musical will be presented by
Corn Stock for Kids in the Corn Stock
Theatre Center beginning at 7:30 pm on
Friday & at 2:30 pm on Saturday &
Sunday. Tickets are available now at the
Corn Stock Box Office, by calling
309-676-2196 or online at 
The
annual Santa Train, featuring
Santa Claus who will make six stops
along the railroad line to visit
children, provide railroad safety
demonstrations and to confirm their
Christmas lists. Admission is free.
The schedule includes Mapleton at
Mapleton Road - 8:30 am arrival,
Glasford at Oak Street (near City park)
- 9:35 am arrival, Breeds at Co. Road 23
- 11:20 am arrival, Canton at 2nd Avenue
(near former TP&W Railroad Office) -
1:30 pm arrival, Cuba at 3rd Street -
3:45 pm arrival and Smithfield at Main
and Front Street - 5:15 pm arrival.
Santa will arrive at each location by
train and will visit with the children
aboard his holiday caboose. Sorry no
passenger rides this year. 
Critter
Christmas will take place at the
Peoria Zoo on Saturday from 9 - 11 am
where you can enjoy a light breakfast
and crafts in the lodge and then
experience the Zoo. Pre-sale tickets are
$5 for members and $10 for non-members.
Watch the animals enjoy their gifts,
Santa will be making a visit and
everyone from meerkats to lions to
tigers will receive special treats
throughout the day. For more
information, call 309-686-3365 or visit
The 2013 Jingle Bell Run/Walk will
take place at the RiverPlex in downtown
Peoria on Saturday beginning at 10 am.
Online registration will be available
through 3 pm on Dec. 6th with race day
registration and packet pickup beginning
at 8 am. Registration fees are $50 on
race day for teams and $35 on race day
for individuals. For more information,
visit 
The Peoria Heights' Annual Christmas Walk,
featuring visits and photo opportunities
with Santa at area shops and businesses,
will take place on Saturday from 10 am -
5:30 pm. There will also be a book
signing by Sandy Miller, local author of
Little Twig: An Uncommon Christmas Tale
at I Know You Like A Book from 2 - 4 pm,
the lighting of the village Christmas
tree at 5:30 pm plus a night of
caroling, hot chocolate and more.
Admission is free. For more information,
visit
The
Junior League of Peoria will host a
Victorian Christmas Celebration on
Saturday including a holiday tea setting
and luncheon and live seasonal music at
the Ballance-Herschel House, its
historic headquarters (located at 256 NE
Randolph in Peoria). Tea times start at
11 am and 2 pm. Tickets are $20 and must
be purchased in advance. Seating is
limited, so call 309-685-9312 for
reservations.
The
2nd Annual Candy Cane Hunt will take
place on Saturday from 2 - 2:30 pm at
the Glen Oak Park Pavilion (located at
2218 N. Prospect Rd. in Peoria). There
will be two hunt areas: one for 3 - 5
year olds and another for 6 - 10 year
olds. Dress warmly and bring something
to collect your candy canes. Parents
must accompany their children. Fee to
participate is $4 for residents and $9
for non-residents. For more information,
call 309-681-2854 or visit
The
Peoria Historical Society invites you to
celebrate the holiday season with a tour
of four historical homes in two historic
districts of Peoria with The Splendor
of Christmas Past from 5 - 9 pm on
Saturday & from 1 - 5 pm on Sunday.
Tickets are $12 for adults in advance or
$15 for adults at the door and children
under age 12 free with adult admission
and are available at the Peoria
Historical Society Office (located at
611 SW Washington Street in Peoria),
Harp and Thistle (located at 4605 N
Prospect Road in Peoria Heights) or
Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery (located
at 619 SW Water St. in Peoria). For more
information, call 309-674-1921 or visit
A Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise will
take place on Saturday on the Spirit of
Peoria featuring the cast of the
Champaign-Urbana Theater Company who
will dine and mingle with you as the
mystery unfolds. Cruise time is 7 - 9
pm. Tickets are $47 for adults and
$23.50 for kids 4-12 and and are
available online at 
Songs
from the Woods, the 2013 Concert Series
at Forest Park Nature Center (located at
5809 N. Forest Park Drive in Peoria
Heights), will feature Lee Murdock
and The Christmas Ship Concert on
Saturday beginning at 7 pm. Admission is
$7 for adults and $6 for ages 12 and
under with a $1 discount for CORE
members. For more information, call
309-686-3360 or visit 
The Drunken Zombie Deadly Double Feature
holiday edition will feature Killer
Khristmas on Saturday beginning at 8 pm
at the Landmark Cinemas. Tickets are $7
at the door. For more information, visit 
The Sing-It-Yourself Messiah, an
annual Peoria Christmas performance,
will be presented at The Cathedral of
Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception
(located at 607 NE Madison in Peoria) on
Sunday beginning at 2:30 pm. All
are encouraged to sing along on the
various choruses, with arias performed
by featured soloists Kristen Lelm,
soprano, Eric Ashcraft, tenor and
Gregory Lewis, bass. Conducting the
performers and the Handel orchestra will
be Dr. John Jost, Director of Choral
Activities at Bradley University.
Admission is free. 
Christmas
with the Philharmonic Chorale
will take place on Sunday at the ICC
Performing Arts Center in East
Peoria beginning at 3 pm. Tickets
are $12 for adults and $10 for
seniors and students and are
available from any Philharmonic
Chorale member or at the ICC
Performing Arts Center Box Office
the day of the concert.
The Orpheus Club Winter Concert will
be held on Sunday at the United
Presbyterian Church (located at 2400
Northmoor Road in Peoria) beginning at 3
pm. Admission is $5 at the door.
Peoria
Midwest Flames Basketball will take
on the Chicago Steam in the Woodruff
Gymnasium Home Gym (located at 1800 NE
Perry Ave. in Peoria) on Sunday
beginning at 3 pm. Tickets are $10 for
adults, $7 for students with ID, $5 for
children 6 - 12 and senior citizens and
free for children 5 and under 5. Groups
of 10 or more receive a $2 discount. For
more information and to order tickets
online, visit