The 14th Annual Crittenton Centers Festival of Trees kicks off on Thursday, November 17 with a Jingle & Mingle Cocktail Party at the Holiday Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie. The main Festival continues throughout the weekend. For more details, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/nBY
Christmas: Past, Present & Futurewill be presented at the Barn III Dinner Theatre in Goodfield running Thursday, November 17 through the end of 2022.
The musical Holiday Inn continues at Peoria Players Theatre through Sunday, November 20. For tickets, visit https://peoriaplayers.showare.com
The Regifters continues at the Corn Stock Theatre Center through Sunday, November, 20. For tickets, visit https://cornstocktheatre.com
The Peoria Area German Society will present Kristkindlmarktwhich will take place at Expo Gardens on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20. Find full details at https://www.facebook.com
The 5th Annual Thanksgiving Riverfront Market will take place inside the Gateway Building on Saturday morning, November 19. For more information, visit http://visitdowntownpeoria.com
Joy at the Cathedralwill be presented by the Peoria Symphony Orchestra at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday, November 19. Tickets are available by calling 309-671-1096 or online at https://peoriasymphony.org
The Annual Festival of Lights Parade will take place in East Peoria on Saturday evening, November 19. For more information including a map of the parade route plus the other events affiliated with the Festival, visit www.cityofeastpeoria.com
Handel’s Messiah will be performed by the Morton Community Chorus and Orchestra at Grace Church on Sunday, November 20. For more information, see https:/www.pjw.cc
The Barn Tree Farm at the Barn III Dinner Theatre (located at 1451 Timberline Road in Goodfield) will be open on Sunday, November 20. Find multiple varieties of potted living evergreens between 5 and 6 feet tall that you adopt for the holidays. Their “elves” will deliver your tree to your home and collect it after the end of the season. Bring the kids to visit Santa from 5 – 6 pm. For full details, visit https://www.thebarntreefarm.com
FOLEPI’s Winter WonderlandOpens on Thanksgiving evening and running through January 2nd. Find full details about the event at www.folepi.org
The 135th Annual Peoria Santa Claus Parade– the longest-running parade in the US – will take place on Friday, November 25 in downtown Peoria. Find more information about the parade at https://www.peoriaevents.com
The Pekin Winter Wonderlandwill take place at Mineral Springs Park on Sunday, November 27 from 2 – 6 pm. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com
Shawn Degenhart and the Gospelfest Singers will present their 2022 Christmas concert, Christmas in the Country, at Five Points Washington on Saturday, November 26. Find more information about the concert at http://www.gospelfestministries.com
The 7th Annual Peoria Area Community Festival of Nativities: The Prince of Peace will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thursday, December 1 through Sunday, December 4. See over 750 nativities from over 40 countries and hear live musical performances from local choirs, churches and schools. For more information, visit http://CommunityFestivalofNativities.com
The Kris Kringle Market will take place at the Peoria Heights Tower Park from 3 – 7 pm on Friday, December 2 and from 10 am – 3 pm on Saturday, December 3. Find more information at https://www.facebook.com
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will be presented by the Metamora Thesbian Society at Metamora Fields Golf Club (located at 801 Progress St. in Metamora) Thursday, December 1 through Sunday, December 4. Find full details at www.metamorathespiansociety.org
The 30th Anniversary of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoatwill be presented by Eastlight Theatre the first two weekends of December. Tickets are available online at https://tickets.eastlighttheatre.com
Central Illinois Ballet will present the Nutcrackerat ICC Performing Arts Center Friday, December 2 through Sunday, December 4. Find full details at www.ciballet.com
Grace Family Christmas Gloria will be presented at Grace Presbyterian Church on Friday, December 2 through Sunday, December 4. Find full details at www.gracepres.org/gfc22
The Peoria Art Guild Crimson Door Sale Kick Off will take place at the Guild on Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3. Featuring items created by local artists that make great holiday gifts. Admission is free. The Crimson Door Sale continues through December 22 during normal PAG hours. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com
Christmas in the Village will take place on the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Sun Plaza on Saturday, December 3. Featuring Peoria’s largest live Christmas tree, local vendors, food trucks, Santa, holiday cocktails, carriage rides, museum exhibitions, a holiday laser light show, carolers, live animals, merry makers tables and ballerinas from the Peoria Ballet, find full details at https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
Axemaswill take place at the Peoria State Hospital Museum on Saturday, December 3. With a look at the darker traditions of Christmas, it will include Peoria State Hospital Museum tours, old fashioned holiday treats, seasonal folklore entertainment, and the Axemas Terror Slay Ride.
The Peoria Historical Society Annual Holiday Home Tour will take place on December 3 & 4 featuring the two home museums plus stroll through a series of four private homes that are rarely open to the public. Find hours and ticket information at https://309tix.com/categories/tours
The CT Snowball 2022 will take place at the Scottish Rite Theatre on Saturday, December 3. Featuring headliner Matt Maeson with special guests Ripe and Joe P, find more information at https://www.scottishritepeoria.com
Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular will be presented at the Peoria Civic Center Arena on Saturday, December 3. Find tickets at Ticketmaster.com
Harry Connick, Jr. A Holiday Celebration will be presented at the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Saturday, December 3. Find tickets at Ticketmaster.com
Illuminate Moss Bradleywill take place throughout Moss Ave and High Street on Sunday, December 4. The Limestone High School Madrigal Choir will perform at the Pettengill-Morron House as part of the event.
Bradley University will host the inaugural Community Holiday Sing at the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center (located at 816 N Tobias Ln. in Peoria) on Tuesday, December 5. Featuring the Bradley University Chorale and Peoria Symphony Orchestra, the Country Club of Peoria will provide hot chocolate.
The Annual Stocking Stuffer Store will take place at Northwoods Mall running December 8 – 18. All proceeds benefit Crittenton Centers. For full hours and other details, visit https://www.facebook.com
PJs, Pancakes & the Polar Expresswill take place at the Peoria Riverfront Museum Saturday, December 10. Break out your holiday PJs and enjoy breakfast with Santa and his friends. There will be specially themed activities followed by “The Polar Express” in the Giant Screen Theater. Find full details at https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
Chocolate in the Heightswill take place in downtown Peoria Heights on Saturday, December 10 featuring chocolate delights throughout the day at participating shops and restaurants who will all offer some type of chocolate theme: gourmet chocolates, chocolate wine or liquor, discounts on chocolate-colored items and other sweet deals. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com
The East Peoria Festival of Lights Shop and Strollwill take place in the Historic Four Corners District in East Peoria on Saturday, December 10 featuring free horse-drawn carriage rides (weather permitting), and balloon art, spend $25 or more at select stores and get a free admission to FOLEPI’s Winter Wonderland. For more information, visit www.folepi.org
Too Hot To Handel – The Gospel Messiah will be presented by the Peoria Symphony Orchestra at the Scottish Rite Theatre on Saturday, December 10. Featuring a 1992 arrangement recasting this familiar work in Gospel and jazz styles, other artists will includeThe Heritage Ensemble, Alfreda Burke (soprano), Brianna Thomas (mezzo-soprano) and Rodrick Dixon (tenor). Find full details athttps://peoriasymphony.org
Holly Jolly Jazzy Christmas will take place at the Betty Jayne Brimmer Center on Friday, December 9. Featuring the Kevin Hart Trio, find more information at https://www.thebettyjayne.com
The Peoria Ballet will present the Nutcrackerat the Peoria Civic Center on Saturday & Sunday, December 10 & 11. Featuring over 80 Peoria Ballet students, joined by professional guest artists from New York City dancing to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score performed by the Heartland Festival Orchestra, find more information information at http://ticketmaster.com
The Jingle All the Way Cabaretwill take place at the Betty Jayne Brimmer Center on Saturday, December 10. Find more details at https://www.thebettyjayne.com
The Annual Peoria Sing-It-Yourself Messiah will take place at First Federated Church on Sunday, December 11. Dr. John Jost of Bradley University (retired) returns to conduct. For more information, visit www.ffcpeoria.com
The Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols will take place at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 11. Featuring the Westminster Choir, this is the historic service sung each Christmas Eve at King’s College in Cambridge UK. For more information visit https://westminsterpeoria.org
The Annual Family Christmas Singwill take place in the Peoria Riverfront Museum on Tuesday, December 13 beginning at 7 pm. Featuring song leader Lee Wenger and pianist Denise Adams, admission is free.
Cirque Dreams Holidazewill be presented at the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Thursday, December 15. Find more information at Ticketmaster.com
Christmas at Northwoods 2022, a musical production, will take place at Northwoods Community Church on Wednesday, December 16 through Thursday, December 22. Find more information at https://northwoods.church
Peoria Area Civic Chorale will present An American Family Christmas at Five Points Washington on December 16 – 18. Find more details at http://www.peoriacivicchorale.org
The Peoria Players Holiday Special featuring the Peoria Area Performing Arts Studio will be presented at Peoria Players Theatre December 16 – 18. Find more details at https://www.onthestage.tickets
Wandering Home for the Holidays will take place at the Scottish Rite Theatre on Saturday, December 17, Featuring the Way Down Wanderers and special guest Chicago Farmer, find more information at https://www.scottishritepeoria.com
Enchanted Christmaswill be presented at Eastlight Theatre on Sunday, December 18. A Fundraiser for Eastlight Theatre presented by A Royal Remembrance, it will feature your favorite Christmas songs led by the Royal cast and local area talent. At intermission, cast members will be available for a meet and greet with opportunities to take photos with your favorite characters. Find more information at https://tickets.eastlighttheatre.com
A Jazz Christmas will take place at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 18. Featuring Derel Monteith, jazz pianist, and Jamika Welch, vocalist, who will lead the group in standards and carols of the season along with contemporary poetry, find more information at https://westminsterpeoria.org
The Peoria Pops Orchestra will present Christmas Rocks at the Pops at Five Points Washington on Wednesday, December 21. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com
A New Year’s Eve Countdown will take place at the Peoria Civic Center on New Year’s Eve afternoon. Featuring kids activities, face painting, balloon artists, superhero & princess photo opportunities, Fun on the Run inflatables, performances by Communication Junction, the Flynn School of Irish Dance, and the Penguin Project plus a ball drop. For more information, visit www.peoriaciviccenter.com
A New Year’s Eve Dinnerwill take place at The Table on New Year’s Eve beginning at 5:30 pm. Featuring live jazz by Lea Tanton Jazz Coterie, creative cocktails, great wines and a small plates menu by Guest Chef Joshua Lanning. At 8 pm, doors will open to the public for more music, dancing, good cheer and celebration that concludes with a midnight toast. For more information, visit at www.thetablepeoria.com
The Steady Flow New Years Eve Celebration will take place at the Scottish Rite Theatre on New Years Eve. Featuring Steady Flow celebrating their ten-year anniversary with special guests Jason Leech, The Tripp Brothers, 20Twenty, and Kuh Nives, find full details at https://www.scottishritepeoria.com
Peoria Players will present Return to the Grand Ole Opry on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Find full details at https://www.peoriaplayers.org
The Itoo Society New Year’s Eve Party will be held at the Itoo Hall (located at 4909 W Farmington Rd. in Peoria) on New Year’s Eve beginning at 6:30 pm. Featuring food, drinks, and dancing, hors d’oeuvres, ring in the New Year and raise funds for the people of Itou, Lebanon.
The Get Lit New Year’s Eve Fun Run will take place at Folepi’s Winter Wonderland on New Year’s Eve beginning at 9 pm. For more information, call 309-694-1740 or visit www.cityofeastpeoria.com
The 2023 Polar Plunge will take place at The East Peoria Boat Club on New Year’s Day beginning at 10 am. Featuring pork chop sandwiches and hot dogs and beverages. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com
To find more Events in Peoria IL, visit the ExplorePeoria.com Events Calendar
