Enchanted Florist will be hosting a VIP Shopping Night to benefit the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois tonight from 5 - 7:30 pm at Enchanted Florist at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie. Shoppers can enjoy wine, appetizers, and special discounts on select merchandise. For more information call 688-8671.
The YPO December Social is tonight from 5 – 7 pm at Embassy Suites on the East Peoria Riverfront. This event is a chance for YPO to celebrate the holiday season and give back to the Central Illinois Community. Call 694-0200 for more information.
The Festival of Lights Holiday Dinner Cruise features a buffet, two-hour cruise and entertainment by Prairie Folklore Theatre. The cruise boards at 6 pm tonight, Friday and Saturday and returns to dock at 9 pm. Adults are $40 each, children ages 4-12 are $20 each, children 3 & under eat free. Prices include tax & service charge. Call 800-676-8988 to make advance reservations (required).
Conklin’s Barn 2 Dinner Theatre continues it run of their original holiday show “We Need a Little Christmas” tonight, Friday and Saturday (doors open at 6:00 pm, show starts at 8:00 pm) and on Sunday afternoon (Doors open at 12:00 noon, show starts at 1:30 pm.). Call 965-2545 for reservations.
Grace Presbyterian Church on Knoxville will host “A Grace Family Christmas” featuring a 120 voice choir, 45 piece orchestra and a dramatic presentation of the Christmas Story at the church tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and on Sunday at 4 pm. Tickets are $10 and are available at the church or by calling 688-3641 ext. 208.
Mike MacRae will perform at Jukebox Comedy Club tonight at 8 pm and Friday and Saturday at 8 and 10:30 pm. Tickets are $15 or $14 with cash except for the Thursday show and the Friday late show, which are are $10 with cash. Call 673-5853 for reservations. Rated – PG-18/R
The Festival of the Trees benefiting the Crittenton Centers is this weekend at Expo Gardens. Schools & Retirement Homes Visit Day is Friday from 10 am- 8 pm, on Saturday is the Kids Pajama Party with Santa from 5:30 pm- 8 pm and on Sunday is the Family Lunch from 11 am – 2 pm. Decorated trees and other Christmas related items donated by local businesses will be on display and available for purchase. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children & seniors citizens and children 2 & under are free.
The Festival of Lights continues this weekend in East Peoria: The Narrated Nativity is open 24 hours and includes a 2-minute narration available by tuning to radio station 1610 AM. The Winter Wonderland is located at the VFW Post 2078 off Springfield Road in East Peoria. Hours are Thursday & Sunday 5 – 9 pm, Friday & Saturday 5 – 11 pm. Admission for cars & vans are $10 each night. The 2009 Festival of Lights Postage Cancellation Stamp will be available Saturday only from 11 am – 2 pm at the Fondulac Distrcit Library for holiday mailings. For more information about the Festival of Lights, call 800-365-3743.
The Peoria Rivermen will take on the Manitoba Moose at the Peoria Civic Center Arena Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $20 and are available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com.
Luthy Botanical Gardens in Glen Oak Park will offer Candlelight Walks of their Poinsettia Show Friday from 7 – 9 pm under the glow of hundreds of candles while enjoying live holiday music. Admission is waived during these evenings, however donations are always accepted. For more information, call 686-3362.
Preston Jackson and Friends will perform at the Live at the Five Spot Friday from 5:30-7:30. Admission is $7 for members, $10 for non-members & $6 for student & senior members and $9 for student & senior non-members, and ages 16 & younger are $3. The CAC also hosts Salsa at CAC: A Latin Dance Event Friday from 8:30 pm -12:30 am, Admission is $3 for CAC Members, and $6 for nonmembers.
Celebrate the holidays at the Waterhouse with the Howlin’ on Water…Dueling Pianos dinner and show beginning at 6:30 pm on Friday and Saturday night. Cost is $32.95 per person. Call 494-9100 for reservations.
The Community Children’s Theatre presents the musical adaptation of the classic Mark Twain novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer on Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 pm. All shows are at Peoria Players Theatre. Admission for adults is $10, children 12 & under and seniors are $8. Tickets are on sale at the Glen Oak Park Pavilion and online at www.artspartners.net. For details call 681-2861.
Eastlight Theatre presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for its 19th year. The show runs Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm with a 2:00 pm matinee on Sunday. Tickets are available at eastlighttheatre.com.
Bradley University Theatre invites you to their production of A Christmas Carol at 8 pm Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 on Sunday. Tickets are $7-$14 and available by calling 677-3703.
Corn Stock Winter Playhouse presents Greetings! a sensitive comedy about a family trying to come to grips with their spirituality when enlightenment is offered from an unexpected source. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm with a 2:30 pm matinee on Sunday. Tickets are $10, and $8 for students 18 and under. For more information, call 676-2196.
The Tazwood Dance Company will present Holiday Magic at the ICC Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Call 694-5136 for more information.
The Peoria Historical Society presents Candlelight Tours at the Pettengill-Morron House located at 1212 W. Moss Ave. Tours will be held from 6 – 8 pm on Friday & Saturday and 2 – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students. For more information, call 674-1921.
Eureka College will present its 21st Annual Renaissance Christmas Dinner on Friday and Saturday at 6 pm in the Cerf Center. Cost is $25 and $13 for children under 13. For reservations, call 467-6407.
The Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Womens Club 37th Annual Breakfast with Santa is Saturday from 9 – 11 am at the Germantown Hills Middle School. Tickets are $4 per person in advance or $5 at the door and are available at Jubilee Foods in Germantown Hills, Metamora Pharmacy or from club members.
Step back in time to Sommer Park’s first Antebellum Christmas on Saturday from 1 – 4 pm. Learn customs of the era, sing popular Christmas songs, enjoy cookies and hot drinks while you visit with Father Christmas. Please dress for the weather. Admission is $2 per person.
The 26th Annual “Knight Before Christmas” Craft Show fundraiser sponsored by the Richwoods High School cheerleaders will take place Saturday from 9 am – 3 pm at Richwoods High School. Over 200 crafters will be on hand with holiday gifts & decorations. For more information, call the school at 693-4400.
Thousands of bells will ring as people run in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis begining at 8 am on Saturday at Peoria’s RiverPlex. The run/walk begins at 10 am. Visit www.jinglebellpeoria.com to participate.
Visit the historic Ballance-Herschel house “All Dressed Up” for the holidays. Enjoy a victorian tea on Saturday at 11 am & 2 pm. Tickets are $18 per ticket in advance. Home tours will also be held Saturday from 5 – 7 pm. Tickets for the home tours are $5 in advance $10 at the door. For reservations please call 685-9312.
The Festival of Lights Holiday Cruise matinee features a buffet, two-hour cruise and entertainment by Prairie Folklore Theatre. The cruise boards at Noon on Saturday and returns to dock at 2:30 pm. Adults are $36 each, children ages 4-12 are $18 each, children 3 & under eat free. Call 800-676-8988 to make advance reservations (required).
Luthy Botanical Garden presents Jinglin’ Jazz, an annual holiday celebration on Saturday from 6:30 – 9 pm. Enjoy music by Joe Metzka & Friends, hors d’oeuvres and an auction. Advance tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members and $30 at the door. Call 686-3362.
Clash at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum is a mixed martial arts (MMA) event that will feature 20 fights on Saturday night beginning at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $28, $38, $53 and $128 and are available at the US Cellular Coliseum and by phone at 800-745-3000.
Junior Explorers combines nature, learning, friends, and fun hosted by the Wildlife Prairie State Park Education Department for ages 5-7. Class is held on Saturday from 1 – 3 pm. Cost is $6 for members and $7 for non-member (+ park admission). This month topic is “What Makes a Bird, a Bird?” PCall 676-0998 ext. 6758 for more information or to register your child.
The holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life will run at the Apollo Theatre beginning at 7 pm. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children, students & senior citizens. For more information, call 673-4343.
Westminster Presbyterian Church will present its Advent Festival beginning at 11:45 am Sunday at the church. There will be music, fellowship, lunch and crafts for all ages. Admission is free, however offerings will be accepted. For more information, call 673-8501.
The annual Christmas Walk in Peoria Heights is this Sunday and includes a horse drawn trolley, pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Heights Flowers, the Jericho Band, specials at shops throughout the Heights and the Christmas Tree lighting in Tower Park at 5:30 pm. For more information, call 685-4812.
The 31st Annual Morton Community Christmas Sing will be held Sunday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at Morton Community Bank on Jackson Street. The public is invited to attend and sing along. Refreshments will be served beginning at 5 pm and the John Phillips Oompah Band will also perform.
Master autoharp player Bryan Bowers will perform Sunday from 7 – 9 pm at Forest Park Nature Center. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for ages 12 & under with a $1 discount for CORE members.
The Peoria Orpheus Club presents their Winter Concert Sunday at 3 pm at the United Presbyterian Church located on the corner of Northmoor and Allen Roads. The concert will include season songs and carols. Tickets are available at the door for $5.
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