Plaid Tidings, Nutcracker, Frozen Jr., Joseph, Festival of Nativities, Santa's Wildlife Express & Home Tour

Published: Thu, 12/05/19



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Plaid Tidings: A Special Holiday Edition of Forever Plaid will be presented by the Metamora Thesbian Society at Metamora Fields Golf Club (located at 801 Progress St. in Metamora) Tonight (Thursday) through Saturday beginning at 6 pm and on Sunday beginning at 1 pm. Tickets for the buffet dinner and the show are $40 and are available by calling 309-367-4000. For more information, visit www.facebook.com
Click HERE to Watch our Entertainment Report video about Plaid Tidings!
The Nutcracker will be presented by Central Illinois Ballet at ICC Performing Arts Center (located at 1 College Drive in East Peoria) on Friday, at 7 pm and on Saturday at 2 pm and 7 pm. A holiday tradition to Tchaikovsky’s score, this show features original choreography by Rebekah von Rathonyi, tickets are $35 for adults for premium seating or $30 for standard seating and $25 for ages 14 and under and senior citizens for premium seating and $20 for standard seating and are available by calling 309-620-3164 or visiting www.ciballet.com
Click HERE to Watch our Entertainment Report video about the Nutcracker!
Disney's Frozen Jr. will be presented by Community Children's Theatre at Peoria Players Theatre (located at 4300 N University St. in Peoria) at 7 pm on Friday & Saturday and at 1:30 pm on Saturday & Sunday. Featuring the songs from the animated film, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under and are available at www.cctpeoria.org
Click HERE to Watch our Entertainment Report video about Frozen Jr.!
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be presented by Eastlight Theatre (located in the East Peoria High School Auditorium at 1401 E Washington St. in East Peoria) beginning at 7:30 pm on Friday & Saturday and at 2 pm on Sunday. An annual tradition, this is its 29th year on Eastlight’s stage. The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical tells the biblical story of Joseph and his eleven brothers. Tickets are $20 and are available online at www.eastlighttheatre.com
Click HERE to Watch our Entertainment Report video about Joseph!
The Festival of Lights Winter Wonderland runs nightly through New Year’s Eve at the VFW Post 2078 Park off Springfield Road (located at 123 Par 3 Lane in East Peoria). The drive-through electric park is the Festival of Lights’ signature event featuring 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 cars, $30 small buses (party, shuttle, mini & school), and $150 for full size buses. For more information, visit www.folepi.org
The Community Festival of Nativities will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (located at 3700 W Reservoir Blvd. in Peoria) from 5 - 9 pm tonight (Thursday), from 10 am - 9 pm on Friday & Saturday and from Noon - 8 pm on Sunday. Featuring nativity displays from around the world and musical performances by local talent, members from different churches have come together to create this unique and complimentary interfaith nativity exhibit. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.communityfestivalofnativities.com 
The Best of the Barn Christmas continues at the Barn III Dinner Theatre in Goodfield and runs tonight (Thursday) - Sunday this weekend and Thursdays - Sundays through December 31. Featuring the Barn’s most popular musical and comedy performances to get you in the holiday spirit from secular to sacred, including some Gaither Vocal Band classics. On Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, doors open at 6 pm and on Sundays, doors open at 12:30 pm. Now offering a full cash bar, tickets are $45 for Thursdays, $47.50 for Fridays and Sunday brunch and $49 for Saturdays and are available by calling 309-965-2545 or visit www.thebarniii.com
The Holiday Light & Sound Spectacular will take place at the Fon du Lac Park District Administration Center (located at 201 Veterans Drive in East Peoria) every half hour from 6 - 10 pm Sundays through Thursdays and from 6 - 11 pm on Fridays & Saturdays beginning this Friday and running through December 30 as part of the Festival of Lights events. Created by Eastlight Theatre, immerse yourself in a 360-degree indoor holiday sensory experience featuring lights timed to music. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. For more information, visit www.cityofeastpeoria.com
Joe Kilgallon will perform at the Jukebox Comedy Club & Lounge (located at 3527 W Farmington Rd. in Peoria) tonight (Thursday) and Friday at 8 pm and at 7:15 pm and 9:30 pm and Saturday. Tickets range from $10 - $17 and are available by calling 309-673-5853 or online at www.jukeboxcomedy.com
Whisper & Shout will take place at the Contemporary Art Center tonight (Thursday) beginning at 8 pm. An open mic for sharing and inspiring poetry, admission is $4 for members or $8 for non-members.
Live at the Five Spot will feature the Dexter O'Neal & Funkyard at the Contemporary Art Center on Friday from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Admission is $8 for members, $12 for non-members, $7 for student & senior members and $11 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 Ed Caballero from 9:30 pm - 12:30 am. Admission is $5 for members or $8 for non-members. For more information, call 309-674-6822 or visit www.peoriacac.org
A Holiday Lunch Show Cruise will take place on the Spirit of Peoria on Friday beginning at 1 pm featuring Barry Cloyd and Brian “Fox” Ellis with Prairie Folklore Theatre. Lunch cruise tickets are $42 for adults and $21 for children 4 - 15 and reservations are required.  To make reservations and for more information, call 309-637-8000 or visit www.spiritofpeoria.com
Santa’s Wildlife Express will take place at Wildlife Prairie Park (located at 3826 N Taylor Rd. in Hanna City) on Friday from 4 - 8 pm, Saturday from 12 - 8 pm and Sunday from 12 - 7 pm. Ride the train through the enchanted forest, decorate a holiday cookie to take home, watch the animals open their gifts, do fun holiday crafts and games, enjoy a snack and hot chocolate plus write a letter to Santa. Cost is $11 for members and $15 for the public or free for ages 2 & under. Reservations and advanced payment are required. To make reservations, call 309-676-0998 or visit www.wildlifeprairiepark.org
Christmas on Court will take place throughout downtown Pekin on Friday from 5 - 8 pm. Featuring carriage rides, a tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, a scavenger hunt and live performances throughout the evening, admission is free. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com 
The First Fridays Artists’ Tour will take place on Friday on Friday from 5 - 9 pm at various locations including the Peoria Art Guild, the Contemporary Art Center, Studios on Sheridan, Wheel Art Pottery Studios, Glazed and Confused Pottery plus other locations where visitors can view artist demonstrations as well as purchase pieces. Admission is free.  For a complete map of the locations, visit http://peoriafirstfriday.com
The Crimson Door Holiday Sale opens at the Peoria Art Guild (located at 203 Harrison St. in Peoria) during First Friday from 5 - 9 pm. Featuring art and hand crafted gifts from Peoria Art Guild artists, admission is free and runs through Christmas. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/PeoriaArtGuild
Jazz to the World! with the Judy Page Project will take place at the Betty Jayne Brimmer Center for the Performing Arts (located at 1327 East Kelly Ave. in Peoria Heights) on Friday beginning at 7 pm. Tickets are $10 and are available online at www.thebettyjayne.com or $15 at the door.
A Merry Little Christmas will take place at Five Points Washington (located at 360 N. Wilmor Rd. in Washington) on Friday beginning at 7 pm. Featuring the Peoria Pops Orchestra performing carols and songs both old and new along with a visit from Santa, tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for students and groups of 10 or more and are available at www.fivepointswashington.org
Lindsey Stirling will perform at the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Friday beginning at 7:30 pm. Tickets range from $49.50 - $89.50 and are available at the box office by calling 800-745-3000 or online at http://ticketmaster.com
Puddles Pity Party will perform at Monarch Music Hall (located at 8102 N University St in Peoria) on Friday beginning at 8 pm. Tickets are $27 in advance and $30 the day of the show or $102 for VIP seating and are available at www.monarchmusichall.com
The Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5K will take place at the Peoria Riverplex (located at 600 NE Water St. in Peoria) on Saturday at 9 am. Cost is $40 for adults, $20 for kids dash for ages 12 & under for the run, $35 for adults for the walk or $30 for Jingle in Your Jammies if you can’t participate, but would like to donate. All proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Register at www.jbr.org/peoria
It’s a Wonderful Heights will take place in Peoria Heights' shopping district along Prospect Road on Saturday beginning at 10 am. Featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be doing some shopping along with carolers, the tree lighting ceremony at Tower Park will begin at 6 pm. Admission is free. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com
A reenactment of the Battle of the Bulge will take place at Sommer Park (located at 6329 N. Koerner Rd. in Edwards) on Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. A WWII living history event depicting the Battle of the Bulge, the last great German offensive of WWII hosted by the Central Illinois World War II Reenactors, meet World War II veterans, historians and re-enactors of the days leading up to the Battle of the Bulge with reenactments at Sommer Park’s Pioneer Homestead. Battles will take place at 11 am & 1 pm. Demonstrations will include a look into daily soldier life, military vehicles, drills and food preparation. Cost is $5 per person or $10 per carload. For more information, call 309-691-8423.
Chemistry Demonstrations will take place in the Peoria Riverfront Museum Lobby on Saturday from 1- 2 pm. Bradley University Chemistry Club students will provide activities and perform chemistry demonstrations. Admission to the Museum is $11 for adults, $10 for senior citizens 60+ and $9 for youth 3 - 17. For more information, call 309-686-7000 or visit www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
The Bradley Braves will take on North Carolina A&T at the Peoria Civic Center arena on Saturday beginning at 1 pm. Tickets range from $8 - $21 and are available by calling 309-677-2625 or online at http://ticketmaster.com
The Peoria Historical Society Annual Holiday Home Tour will take place on Saturday from 5 - 9 pm and on Sunday from 1 - 5 pm. Featuring private residences at 802 NE Perry Ave. (owned by Jim Johnson and Elizabeth Arcot) and 1609 W Columbia Terrace (owned by Brian and Cari Hill) plus the Scottish Rite Cathedral/Theatre (located 400 NE Perry Ave. in Peoria) and the Society's own homes: Pettengill-Morron House (located at 1212 W Moss Avenue in Peoria) and the John C. Flanagan House (located at 924 NE Glen Oak Avenue in Peoria). Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 309-674-1921 or online at https://309tix.com
Museum After Dark: Tiki Night at the Space Cantina will take place at the Peoria RiverFront Museum on Saturday from 7 - 10 pm. Featuring a murder mystery set in a galaxy far, far away with complete with a tiki bar, a limbo contest and hands-on activities and science demos plus access to all the PRM exhibits including Da Vinci: the Genius featuring the Secrets of the Mona Lisa, the event is for ages 21 and over only.  Admission is $15 for members or $20 for the public. For more information and tickets, visit www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
The Peoria International Choir will present its Winter 2019 Concert at First Christian Church (located at 6400 N University St. in Peoria) on Saturday beginning at 7 pm. Featuring "A Ceremony of Carols" by Benjamin Britten, suggested donations are $20 for a family, $10 per person and $5 for seniors aged 65 and over. For more information, visit www.peoriainternationalchoir.org
Chris Janson will perform at the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Saturday at 7 pm. Tickets range from $28.75 - $64.75 and are available at the box office by calling 800-745-3000 or online at http://ticketmaster.com
Enjoy live music at the Rhythm Kitchen (located at 305 S.W. Water Street in Peoria) with the Nathan Taylor Band on Saturday at 7 pm.  Admission is free. For more information, visit www.rhythmkitchenmusiccafe.biz
The Peoria Rivermen will take on the Quad City Storm at the Peoria Civic Center Arena on Saturday beginning at 7:15 pm. Tickets are $21, $18 and $12 in advance or $1 more the day of the game and are available at the Peoria Civic Center box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 309-676-1040 or online at http://ticketmaster.com
The Annual Peoria Sing-It-Yourself Messiah will take place at First Federated Church (located at 3601 N Sheridan Rd. in Peoria) on Sunday beginning at 2:30 pm. Dr. John Jost of Bradley University returns to conduct with soloists Kristin Lelm, soprano; Alison Meuth, mezzo-soprano; Caleb Bent, tenor, and Mat Pentecost, baritone. Admission is free and no vocal experience necessary. Messiah scores will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.ffcpeoria.com
What the Dickens will be performed at the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Hall (located at 416 Hamilton Blvd. in downtown Peoria) on Sunday beginning at 3 pm. Featuring a Christmas High Tea, music and performances by Cheri Beever, Cindy Hoey, Gene Bourke, Dave Schick, Keri Rae, and Charles Brown as “Scrooge” of a script adapted by Doug Day, admission is free, however donations are requested to help fund an elevator for the Hall. For more information, call 309-694-1767.
Five Finger Death Punch will perform at the Peoria Civic Center Arena on Sunday beginning at 6:30 pm. Tickets range from $39.50 - $79.50 and are available at the box office by calling 800-745-3000 or online at http://ticketmaster.com
X Ambassadors will perform as part of the WWCT Snowball Concert at Monarch Music Hall (located at 8102 N University St in Peoria) beginning at 7 pm. Also featuring Illiterate Light, Jocelyn and Chris Arndt, tickets are $30 for general admission or $35 for VIP seating and are available at www.monarchmusichall.com

Find Peoria area events and entertainment on our Events Calendar any time!