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 Annual Chocolate Turkey Race will take place on the Peoria Riverfront on Thursday beginning at 8 am. All participants will receive a chocolate turkey, a limited edition race shirt, plus chocolate goodies after the race. The 3 mile race fee is $40 in advance or $45 the day of the event and the 1 mile walk fee is $25 in advance or $30 the day of the race. For full details and to register, visit http://thechocolateturkey.com
Member Appreciation Day will take place at the Peoria Riverfront Museum on Friday from 10 am - 4 pm. Attendees will be able to take advantage of members only perks including 10% off Museum memberships, 30% off Museum Store merchandise, $5 tickets to see "Polar Express 3D" on the Giant Screen Theater, free educational and holiday classic short family friendly activities from 11 am - 3 pm, a visit with Santa from 2:30 - 3:30 pm, a photo booth plus refreshments and door prizes. For more information and tickets, visit www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org *For New, Renewal, or Gift Memberships, use online code "10OFF"valid on Friday only.
The 132nd Annual Santa Claus Parade will take place in Downtown Peoria on Friday beginning at 10:15 am. Featuring costumed characters, novelty walking units, horse units and decorated floats, for full details & a map of the parade route, visit www.peoriaevents.com
The Holiday Express Santa Luncheon will take place at the Caterpillar Visitors Center (located at 110 SW Washington Street in downtown Peoria) after the Santa Claus parade on Friday from Noon - 2 pm. Enjoy lunch, pose for a photo with Santa and explore the Visitors Center. Featuring a soups and sweets lunch, admission to the museum and access to the express Santa Claus line, tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for kids aged 3 - 12. For more information, call 309-675-0606 or visit https://www.facebook.com
The Greater Peoria Homecoming will take place at the Peoria Innovation Alliance (located at 820 SW Adams Suite C in Peoria) on Friday from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. Featuring drinks and hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants, meet the industry leaders that have made Greater Peoria their home and what they have planned for the future. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.facebook.com
Live at the Five Spot will feature the Lizzi Neal Band 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. For more information, call 309-674-6822 or visit www.peoriacac.org
Yule Like Peoria will take place on Friday from 6 - 9 pm beginning with the Peoria Courthouse Tree Lighting Ceremony, then takes visitors through a wonderland of decorations and activities. Local entertainers will perform at many locations in downtown Peoria and will offer complimentary refreshments. For more details as well as a map of performers/locations, visit www.peoriaevents.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
The Best of the Barn Christmas continues at the Barn III Dinner Theatre in Goodfield and runs Friday - 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 Peoria Rivermen will take on the Huntsville Havoc at the Peoria Civic Center Arena on Friday & Saturday beginning at 7:15 pm each night. 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 Find a Black Friday Discount: $10 Tickets for Friday's Game on Peoria.Deals!
Chris Schlichting will perform at the Jukebox Comedy Club & Lounge (located at 3527 W Farmington Rd. in Peoria) on Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $15 for VIP seating and are available by calling 309-673-5853 or online at www.jukeboxcomedy.com
The 29th Annual FOLEPI River Trail Classic will take place on the River Trail of Illinois on Saturday beginning at 8:30 am with a non-competitive walk and at 9 am with a competitive run. Registration for the race only is $20 through the day of the race. For more information, call 309-253-2420 or register online at www.folepi.org
Experience a bit of Old World Christmas Magic at the Annual Kristkindlmarkt which will take place at the Lindenhof (located at 7601 N. Harker Drive in Peoria) from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and from 11 am - 5 pm on Sunday. Featuring area vendors offering a variety of arts and crafts, baked goods, imported items from Germany and Austria plus a visit from Kristkindl (Santa Claus). There will be live entertainment plus food available typical of the Kristkindlmarkts such as bratwurst, weinerschnitzel, homemade strudel, gluhwein, hot chocolate, hot cider, Bavarian pretzels and German beer. A Peoria German American Society event, admission is free. For more information, visit www.peoriagermans.net
A Museum Store Weekend & Makers Market will take place at the Peoria Riverfront Museum lobby from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and from Noon - 5 pm on Sunday. Save 30% off (members) or 15 % off (public) Museum Store merchandise (excluding consignment items) and shop the 17 local makers from the Museum's Makers Market for holiday gift giving. Admission is free. For more information and tickets, visit www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
Folepi's Gifts Galore Shop and Stroll will take place in the Historic Four Corners District in East Peoria (bounded by Washington Street and McKinley Street) on Saturday from 1 - 4 pm. Featuring free balloon art, the East Peoria Community High School Chorale singing Christmas carols plus free horse-drawn carriage rides with Santa. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.folepi.org
A Holiday Lunch Show Cruise will take place on the Spirit of Peoria on Saturday 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
Enjoy live music at the Rhythm Kitchen (located at 305 S.W. Water Street in Peoria) with Black Velvet on Saturday at 7 pm. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.rhythmkitchenmusiccafe.biz
The Philharmonic Chorale will present their Christmas Concert at the ICC Performing Arts Center (located at 1 College Dr. in East Peoria) on Sunday beginning at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students & senior citizens. For tickets and information call 309-694-5136 or visit at www.ArtsatICC.com
The Orpheus Club of Peoria will present their Winter Concert at at the First Federated Church (located at 3601 N. Sheridan Rd. in Peoria) on Sunday beginning at 3 pm. Hear an afternoon of music under the direction of Russel Boulton with songs of the season. The Club has been entertaining the Peoria area with male voice four-part harmony for 117 years. Admission is $5 at the door. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/OrpheusPeoria
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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 
The Annual Chocolate Turkey Race will take place on the Peoria Riverfront on Thursday beginning at 8 am. All participants will receive a chocolate turkey, a limited edition race shirt, plus chocolate goodies after the race. The 3 mile race fee is $40 in advance or $45 the day of the event and the 1 mile walk fee is $25 in advance or $30 the day of the race. For full details and to register, visit 
Member Appreciation Day will take place at the Peoria Riverfront Museum on Friday from 10 am - 4 pm. Attendees will be able to take advantage of members only perks including 10% off Museum memberships, 30% off Museum Store merchandise, $5 tickets to see "Polar Express 3D" on the Giant Screen Theater, free educational and holiday classic short family friendly activities from 11 am - 3 pm, a visit with Santa from 2:30 - 3:30 pm, a photo booth plus refreshments and door prizes. For more information and tickets, visit 
The 132nd Annual Santa Claus Parade will take place in Downtown Peoria on Friday beginning at 10:15 am. Featuring costumed characters, novelty walking units, horse units and decorated floats, for full details & a map of the parade route, visit 
The Holiday Express Santa Luncheon will take place at the Caterpillar Visitors Center (located at 110 SW Washington Street in downtown Peoria) after the Santa Claus parade on Friday from Noon - 2 pm. Enjoy lunch, pose for a photo with Santa and explore the Visitors Center. Featuring a soups and sweets lunch, admission to the museum and access to the express Santa Claus line, tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for kids aged 3 - 12. For more information, call 309-675-0606 or visit 
The Greater Peoria Homecoming will take place at the Peoria Innovation Alliance (located at 820 SW Adams Suite C in Peoria) on Friday from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. Featuring drinks and hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants, meet the industry leaders that have made Greater Peoria their home and what they have planned for the future. Admission is free. For more information, visit 
Live at the Five Spot will feature the Lizzi Neal Band 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. For more information, call 309-674-6822 or visit 
Yule Like Peoria will take place on Friday from 6 - 9 pm beginning with the Peoria Courthouse Tree Lighting Ceremony, then takes visitors through a wonderland of decorations and activities. Local entertainers will perform at many locations in downtown Peoria and will offer complimentary refreshments. For more details as well as a map of performers/locations, visit 
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 
The Best of the Barn Christmas continues at the Barn III Dinner Theatre in Goodfield and runs Friday - 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 
The Peoria Rivermen will take on the Huntsville Havoc at the Peoria Civic Center Arena on Friday & Saturday beginning at 7:15 pm each night. 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 
Chris Schlichting will perform at the Jukebox Comedy Club & Lounge (located at 3527 W Farmington Rd. in Peoria) on Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $15 for VIP seating and are available by calling 309-673-5853 or online at 
The 29th Annual FOLEPI River Trail Classic will take place on the River Trail of Illinois on Saturday beginning at 8:30 am with a non-competitive walk and at 9 am with a competitive run. Registration for the race only is $20 through the day of the race. For more information, call 309-253-2420 or register online at 
Experience a bit of Old World Christmas Magic at the Annual Kristkindlmarkt which will take place at the Lindenhof (located at 7601 N. Harker Drive in Peoria) from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and from 11 am - 5 pm on Sunday. Featuring area vendors offering a variety of arts and crafts, baked goods, imported items from Germany and Austria plus a visit from Kristkindl (Santa Claus). There will be live entertainment plus food available typical of the Kristkindlmarkts such as bratwurst, weinerschnitzel, homemade strudel, gluhwein, hot chocolate, hot cider, Bavarian pretzels and German beer. A Peoria German American Society event, admission is free. For more information, visit 
A Museum Store Weekend & Makers Market will take place at the Peoria Riverfront Museum lobby from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and from Noon - 5 pm on Sunday. Save 30% off (members) or 15 % off (public) Museum Store merchandise (excluding consignment items) and shop the 17 local makers from the Museum's Makers Market for holiday gift giving. Admission is free. For more information and tickets, visit 
Folepi's Gifts Galore Shop and Stroll will take place in the Historic Four Corners District in East Peoria (bounded by Washington Street and McKinley Street) on Saturday from 1 - 4 pm. Featuring free balloon art, the East Peoria Community High School Chorale singing Christmas carols plus free horse-drawn carriage rides with Santa. Admission is free. For more information, visit 
A Holiday Lunch Show Cruise will take place on the Spirit of Peoria on Saturday 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 
Christmas in the Country will take place at Five Points Washington (located at 360 N Wilmor Rd. in Washington) on Saturday at 7 pm featuring Shawn Degenhart and the Gospelfest Singers. Admission is free with a love offering at the conclusion of the show. For more information, visit 
Enjoy live music at the Rhythm Kitchen (located at 305 S.W. Water Street in Peoria) with Black Velvet on Saturday at 7 pm. Admission is free. For more information, visit 
The Philharmonic Chorale will present their Christmas Concert at the ICC Performing Arts Center (located at 1 College Dr. in East Peoria) on Sunday beginning at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students & senior citizens. For tickets and information call 309-694-5136 or visit at 
The Orpheus Club of Peoria will present their Winter Concert at at the First Federated Church (located at 3601 N. Sheridan Rd. in Peoria) on Sunday beginning at 3 pm. Hear an afternoon of music under the direction of Russel Boulton with songs of the season. The Club has been entertaining the Peoria area with male voice four-part harmony for 117 years. Admission is $5 at the door. For more information, visit 