Editor’s Note: Visit https://explorepeoria.com/festival-of-lights-2023 for 2023 Festival of Lights information.
The East Peoria Festival of Lights 2022 means the Holiday Season is upon us. It features multiple events beginning with the Parade of Lights on Saturday, November 19 beginning at 5:45 pm through a nearly 2 mile route mostly along East Washington Street in East Peoria. Featuring floats created entirely by bright, colorful LED lights, favorite floats include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the 160 foot long Steam Engine Train, the 95 foot long smoke-spewing Chinese dragon and the 70 foot long float of the famous Clydesdale horse team pulling a delivery wagon as well as a Chopper motorcycle.
And after 3 years in “space dock” for repairs, the popular USS Enterprise float will return for 2022. There will be a livestream of the Parade available this year on the Festival of Lights’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EPFestivalofLights Plus, you’ll be able to see the parade on WMBD on Saturday, December 10 at 6 pm & WYZZ on Saturday, December 10 at 9:30 pm.
On the evening of Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, Folepi’s Winter Wonderland will open when the floats from the Parade are set up as a drive-through display in VFW Park which starts at 123 Par 3 Lane in East Peoria. Hours are 5 – 9 pm Sundays – Thursdays, 5 – 11 pm on Fridays & Saturdays and from 5 – 9 pm on Christmas Eve through January 2, 2023. It is advised to visit the display Sunday through Thursday nights as weekend nights can see a line of up to 250 vehicles waiting to go through the display making wait times up to 3 hours. Admission is $10 for cars, $30 small buses (party, shuttle, mini & school), and $150 for full size buses.
Again this year, the East Peoria Festival of Lights 2022 will offer Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides through the Winter Wonderland. The rides will be provided by provided by Tarvin’s Percharons and will available on November 28, 29 and 30, December 5 – 9 and December 12 from 5 – 7:55 pm. Cost is $15 per person for up to eight people in a carriage with ages 2 and under free if siting on a parent’s lap. Reservations and must be made by calling 855-833-5327 beginning on Monday November 14 through November 19. Payment must be by credit or debit card and will be taken on a first come, first served basis with no wait list. Editor’s Note: The Wagon Rides Are No Longer Available.
The 32nd Annual FOLEPI River Trail Classic 4-mile competitive run and 2-mile non-competitive walk will take place on Saturday, November 26 with the the walk at 8:30 am and the run starting at 9 am. A post-race party will take place at Mickie’s Pizzeria. Registration is $25 and may be done online at https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/584/FOLEPI-River-Trail-Classic
Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to Eastlight Theatre for it’s 30th anniversary after a two year hiatus because of COVID. The show has been a part of the Festival of Lights since the beginning and will have performances beginning Friday, December 2 at 7:30 pm. Performances continue on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 pm, Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 pm, Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 7 – 10 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 pm. Tickets are available now at https://tickets.eastlighttheatre.com
The Festival of Lights’ Breakfast and Photos with Santa will take place on Saturday, December 3 from 8 – 11 am at Quail Meadows Golf Course in Washington. Kids can join Santa for breakfast, photos and goodie bags during one-hour time slots at 8 am, 9 am, or 10 am with proceeds benefitting St. Jude Runs. Cost is $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for kids aged 3 – 12 and free for 2 & under and parents not eating breakfast. Advance registration is required by Wednesday, November 30 at https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com
New for 2022 is Christmas in the Village which will happen at the Peoria Riverfront Museum on Saturday, December 3 from 2 – 8 pm. 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, the event will benefit the Every Student Initiative. For more information, click HERE.
On Saturday, December 10, the 9th Annual Folepi’s Gifts Galore Shop and Stroll will take place in the historic Four Corners District (bounded by East Washington and McKinley streets plus adjacent areas) from Noon – 3 pm. Featuring holiday shopping, lunch, free balloon art for the kids, visits with Santa and free carriage rides, shoppers who spend $25 or more at a participating business will receive a free admission to the Folepi’s Winter Wonderland drive-through display valid through January 2.
And the annual Get Lit New Year’s Eve Celebration provides the chance to run, walk or ride the lighted Trolley float through the displays in Folepi’s Winter Wonderland and enjoy treats by the fire pits. This family celebration is from 9 pm – midnight on Friday, December 31. Cost is $20 which includes a long-sleeve T-shirt if pre-registered by Sunday, December 18 online HERE
To find Peoria area events & entertainment, visit the ExplorePeoria.com Calendar
