The East Peoria Festival of Lights is back for the Holiday Season with multiple events beginning with the Parade of Lights on Saturday, November 20 beginning at 5:45 pm. The East Peoria Festival of Lights was the 2020 Champion of the Heavyweights Division of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.
Featuring a nearly 2 mile route mostly along East Washington Street in East Peoria, you’ll see floats shaped 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. A map of the parade route is available HERE
The rest of the East Peoria Festival of Lights begins with Folepi’s Winter Wonderland where floats from the Parade are moved to a drive-through display in VFW Park, with the entrance at 123 Par 3 Lane in East Peoria. The display opens on Thanksgiving evening (Thursday, November 25) from 5 – 9 pm and runs through January 2, 2022. Hours are 5 – 9 pm Sundays – Thursdays, 5 – 11 pm on Fridays & Saturdays and from 5 – 9 pm on Christmas Eve through January 2. If you visit on Friday and Saturday, expect that you will be in a very long line for up to 3 hours. If at all possible, it is advised to visit the display Sunday through Thursday nights. Admission is $10 for cars, $30 small buses (party, shuttle, mini & school), and $150 for full size buses.
This year, FOLEPI will offer horse-drawn carriage rides through the Winter Wonderland from 5 – 8 pm Sunday through Friday nights on November 28 through December 16 as well as Sunday through Wednesday, December 26-29. The rides will be provided by provided by Hileman Carriage Service. There are no carriage rides on Saturdays. The cost is $80 for up to six people (age 2 and older counts as carriage capacity) and all reservations and payment must be made online HERE beginning on Monday, November 15 at 7 am on a first come, first served basis.
And the 31st Annual FOLEPI River Trail Classic 4-mile competitive run and 2-mile non-competitive walk will take place on Saturday, November 27 with the the walk at 8:30 am and the run starting at 9 am. An post-race party will take place at Mickie’s Pizzeria. Register online HERE
The Festival of Lights’ Breakfast and Photos with Santa will take place on Saturday, December 4 from 9 – 11:30 am at the East Peoria Festival Building (located at 2200 E. Washington St. in East Peoria). Featuring a pancake breakfast and goodie bags for the kids, parents are asked to bring their camera for photos which will begin at 9:30 am. Cost is $8 for ages 13 and up, $5 for kids aged 3 – 12 and free for 2 & under. Presented by St. Jude – East Peoria to Peoria Run which will benefit from the proceeds. Advance registration is required by Wednesday, December 1 at https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com
Also on Saturday, December 4, the 8th 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 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. Participating businesses will offer prize drawings – find the complete list of all the participating businesses and special offers at https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com
And the 21st 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 19 online HERE
For full details about the East Peoria Festival of Lights activities, displays and events, click HERE
To find Peoria area events & entertainment, visit the ExplorePeoria.com Calendar
