Events & Festivals in Peoria

Local dining establishments across the Peoria area create special prix-fixe menus for this promotion. It is an opportunity to sample dishes from various cuisines at a fixed cost. The event encourages exploration of both established and newer restaurants throughout the city and neighboring communities.

This indoor farmers market continues on select Saturdays at a community center. Local vendors sell winter produce, meats, baked goods, and crafts. It keeps fresh, local food flowing through the colder months in Peoria.

This series presents live jazz performances at a local venue, often featuring regional and national artists. The atmosphere is casual and listening-focused. It appeals to dedicated jazz fans. Concerts typically occur on weekend evenings.

The Peoria Civic Center fills with this large exhibition of home improvement, landscaping, and outdoor recreation businesses. Seminars and demonstrations run all weekend. Homeowners planning spring projects treat it as a popular stop.

This celebration of Irish culture features live traditional music, dance performances, and cultural exhibits. Food and craft vendors offer Irish-themed items. The festival is held indoors. Weather is never a concern.

Peoria has long hosted the state finals for high school basketball tournaments. Games draw huge crowds from competing schools across Illinois. The arena and downtown hotels pulse with energy.

Artists from across the region display and sell original works including painting, ceramics, jewelry, and sculpture. The fair is juried, ensuring high quality. It is a significant event for local art collectors and those seeking unique handmade items.

This curated market gathers handmade goods from local and regional artisans. Jewelry, pottery, textiles, and fine art fill the tables. The event space in Peoria shifts toward spring-themed crafts and decor.

This festival commemorates Peoria's riverboat history with live music, food vendors, and family activities along the Illinois River. The Spirit of Peoria paddlewheel boat often offers cruises. The event marks the traditional start of summer on the riverfront.

This community run/walk raises funds for breast cancer research and local outreach programs. Survivors, supporters, and business teams line up together. The route typically starts and finishes on the Peoria riverfront.

Hosted by a local church, this festival offers authentic Greek food, pastries, live music, and dancing. The event takes place under tents on the church grounds. It is a popular community gathering known for its hospitality and traditional dishes like gyros, souvlaki, and baklava.

Peoria's primary Independence Day celebration has a lengthy fireworks display launched from a barge on the Illinois River, synchronized to music broadcast on a local radio station. Crowds gather at the riverfront parks and on the bridges for viewing.

Free outdoor concerts are held on select evenings in Tower Park. The series has a mix of local and regional bands covering genres like classic rock, blues, and country. Families and friends bring picnics, blankets, and chairs to enjoy the music.

This event shows the cultures of Peoria's varied communities through dance performances, music, traditional crafts, and food booths. Cultural organizations present information and activities representing countries from around the world. It is held at a park along the riverfront.

High school angler teams from across Illinois compete on the Illinois River for the state championship. Weigh-ins are open to the public and draw a crowd of supporters and fishing enthusiasts. The event highlights Peoria's location on a major waterway.

This challenging obstacle course race, often featuring mud pits and rugged terrain, is held at a local farm. Participants run in competitive and non-competitive waves. It attracts runners seeking a tough physical test beyond a standard road race.

This large festival takes over a nearby community with pumpkin-themed foods, crafts, and contests. A major parade and carnival rides anchor the weekend. Visitors pour in from across central Illinois to mark the fall harvest season.

Professional and amateur magicians from the region gather for this public performance. They show close-up, stage, and illusion magic at a local theater. The show welcomes families. It is a unique entertainment option in Peoria.

This guided walking tour winds through Peoria's historic neighborhoods. Select homes open their doors, decorated for the season. Docents in period clothing recount stories of the architecture and former residents. The tour runs rain or shine.

This large model train show fills the weekend after Thanksgiving in Peoria. Operating layouts run in various scales. Dealers sell trains and accessories. Swap meet areas buzz with activity. Hobbyists treat it as a major event. Families come too.

This family-oriented New Year's Eve celebration features indoor and outdoor performances, interactive art, and early countdowns for children. Activities spread across multiple downtown venues, including the Peoria Civic Center and the riverfront. It is substance-free. The focus is community and the arts. The night ends with fireworks over the Illinois River.

St. Mary's Cathedral opens its doors for a community celebration. A live nativity scene, choir performances, and holiday decorations fill the space. The event welcomes all and centers on the traditional Christmas story. Hot chocolate and cookies often appear.

Touring Broadway productions land in Peoria through this annual series. The December slot usually holds a family-friendly holiday show, often a classic musical. Performances run several days in the main theater.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum hangs festive decorations and rolls out special holiday programming. Crafts, films, and exhibits explore winter traditions. It is an indoor cultural option for colder days in Peoria.

Community centers host these day camps for school-aged children during the winter school holiday. Games, crafts, and outdoor play fill the schedule, weather permitting. Families get structured coverage during the break.