Create a memorable festive season in North Peoria with our itinerary guide. Find all the best events and activities. From North Peoria natives to seasonal visitors, our guide ensures you don't miss a moment of yuletide joy.
Popular events this holiday season include the Peoria Santa Claus Parade, where the community gathers to enjoy a colorful procession of festive floats and joyful performances. FOLEPI’s Winter Wonderland offers a magical setting with dazzling light displays and seasonal festivities for families. And the classic performance of The Nutcracker is something you definitely don't want to miss as it brings timeless holiday charm to the stage. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around North Peoria
- Peoria Santa Claus Parade (Peoria)
- The Nutcracker (Peoria)
- FOLEPI’s Winter Wonderland (Peoria)
- Peoria Symphony Orchestra: Home for the Holidays (Peoria)
- The Polar Express (Peoria)
- Annual Peoria Area Community Festival of Nativities: O Holy Night (Peoria)
- Christmas Rocks at the Pops (Washington)
- East Peoria Festival of Lights Gifts Galore Shop and Stroll (East Peoria)
- Santa’s Wildlife Express (Hanna City)
- Winter Wonderland (Peoria)
See these and even more events listed below!
North Peoria Holiday Light Displays
FOLEPI’s Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Drive-through lighted display with special event nights.
Description:
FOLEPI’s Winter Wonderland is a drive-through electric park featuring lighted displays and floats, including the Parade of Lights floats, Candy Cane Factory, and Western town. The event offers special event nights with free food coupons, letter drop-offs to Santa, and discounted jump passes. Holiday music is available on 88.1 FM.
Where: Peoria | More Info: FOLEPI’s Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Drive-through lighted display with special event nights.
Description:
Folepi's Winter Wonderland is a drive-through electric park featuring lighted displays, including floats from the Parade of Lights, such as the Candy Cane Factory, lighted arches, circus animals, and more. The event offers special event nights with free food coupons, letter drop-offs to Santa, and discounted jump passes.
Where: Peoria | More Info: Winter Wonderland
An Enchanted Christmas
What to Expect:
35-foot-tall Christmas tree and lighted arches.
Description:
Stroll through downtown East Peoria and marvel at the 35-foot-tall Christmas tree, lighted arches, and holiday lights in Folepi's Enchanted Forest. The walk-through display features decorated walkways and a festive stage for holiday photos.
Where: Peoria | More Info: An Enchanted Christmas
North Peoria Holiday Markets and Shopping
What the Elf
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local vendors and holiday activities.
Description:
Explore East Peoria's Historic Four Corners District for unique gifts, vintage clothing, and handmade items. Enjoy lunch at the tea room, visit Santa at the First United Methodist Church, and experience free hot chocolate and balloon art.
Where: East Peoria | More Info: What the Elf
Annual Stocking Stuffer Store
What to Expect:
Personalized holiday shopping experience for kids.
Description:
The 41st Annual Stocking Stuffer Store at Northwoods Mall Food Court offers a safe and fun holiday shopping opportunity for kids aged 2-12. Personal shoppers help children shop within their budget, wrap gifts, and create a holiday surprise.
Where: Peoria | More Info: Annual Stocking Stuffer Store
Breakfast with Santa & Holiday Craft Show
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday craft vendor show with free admission.
Description:
Join Three Sisters Park for a delightful Breakfast with Santa and Holiday Craft Show. Enjoy a hearty breakfast while bringing the whole family to meet Santa. The event includes face painting, digital Santa picture downloads, and a holiday craft vendor show. Admission to the craft show is free with a breakfast ticket.
Where: Chillicothe | More Info: Breakfast with Santa & Holiday Craft Show
East Peoria Festival of Lights Gifts Galore Shop and Stroll
What to Expect:
Free horse-drawn carriage rides and balloon art.
Description:
The East Peoria Festival of Lights Gifts Galore Shop and Stroll is an annual event in the Historic Four Corners District, featuring locally-owned unique businesses offering handcrafted items, vintage clothing, jewelry, and more. Attendees can enjoy free balloon art, horse-drawn carriage rides, and visits with Santa Claus. Many participating businesses will offer gift certificate drawings and holiday refreshments.
Where: East Peoria | More Info: East Peoria Festival of Lights Gifts Galore Shop and Stroll
North Peoria Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmastime Gospelfest
What to Expect:
Traditional southern gospel music performance.
Description:
Join GospelFest Singers for a heartwarming celebration of Christmas with southern gospel classics and favorite carols, all in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Washington | More Info: Christmastime Gospelfest
ICC Philharmonic Chorale Winter Concert
What to Expect:
Seasonal songs and carols performed by a talented choir.
Description:
The ICC Philharmonic Chorale presents a heartwarming winter concert featuring seasonal songs and carols led by talented Amy Smith, accompanied by Carol Spayer.
Where: East Peoria | More Info: ICC Philharmonic Chorale Winter Concert
The Polar Express
What to Expect:
Animated film adaptation of a classic children's book.
Description:
The Polar Express is an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. A doubting young boy embarks on an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, where he discovers the wonder of life through self-discovery.
Where: Peoria | More Info: The Polar Express
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with professional guest artists and a live orchestra.
Description:
The Nutcracker is a classic ballet featuring 100 Peoria Ballet students and professional guest artists from New York City, performing Tchaikovsky's timeless score with the Heartland Festival Orchestra. This production brings together moments of laughter, magic, and delight for audiences of all ages.
Where: Peoria | More Info: The Nutcracker
The Madrigal That Goes Wrong
What to Expect:
Auditioned adult and children's choirs performing in a new downtown location.
Description:
A festive evening featuring an auditioned adult choir, two children's choirs, and actors, with delicious food and great entertainment.
Where: East Peoria | More Info: The Madrigal That Goes Wrong
Christmas Rocks at the Pops
What to Expect:
Classic holiday music concert with Santa and the Grinch photo opportunities.
Description:
The Peoria Pops Orchestra presents Christmas Rocks at the Pops, featuring classic favorites arranged by Trans Siberian Orchestra and Mannheim Steamroller. Enjoy a wide variety of both secular and pop favorites, with opportunities to get your picture taken with Santa and the Grinch. This event promises to electrify the holiday season with music that everyone can enjoy.
Where: Washington | More Info: Christmas Rocks at the Pops
Peoria Symphony Orchestra: Home for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Jazz-infused holiday music with a talented young singer.
Description:
The Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents a holiday concert featuring a mix of holiday classics and jazz-inspired tunes, performed by a Chicago-based piano/vocal duo and an award-winning international singer.
Where: Peoria | More Info: Peoria Symphony Orchestra: Home for the Holidays
North Peoria Other Holiday Activities
Peoria Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Oldest continuously running holiday parade in the nation.
Description:
The Peoria Santa Claus Parade is a long-standing holiday event featuring costumed characters, novelty walking units, decorated floats, and marching bands, all celebrating the "Hometown Holidays" theme.
Where: Peoria | More Info: Peoria Santa Claus Parade
Annual Peoria Area Community Festival of Nativities: O Holy Night
What to Expect:
Unique collection of over 750 nativity scenes from around the world.
Description:
The Peoria Area Community Festival of Nativities features over 750 nativity scenes from around the world, live musical performances, and activities for kids. Admission is free.
Where: Peoria | More Info: Annual Peoria Area Community Festival of Nativities: O Holy Night
Santa’s Wildlife Express
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with animal interactions and festive activities.
Description:
Santa's Wildlife Express is a holiday event featuring animal ambassadors, games, crafts, and a train ride through the Enchanted Forest to Santa's Workshop, where you can decorate cookies, write letters to Santa, and enjoy free hot chocolate and coffee.
Where: Hanna City | More Info: Santa’s Wildlife Express
Live Nativity
What to Expect:
Biblically accurate reenactment of the first Christmas with realistic scenes and characters.
Description:
The Living Nativity at Discovery Baptist Church in Gig Harbor, WA, is a biblically accurate reenactment of the first Christmas, featuring realistic scenes and characters, including a manger scene, shepherds, magi, and Roman guards.
Where: Washington | More Info: Live Nativity
Brunch with Santa
What to Expect:
Santa and special guests at a pancake breakfast.
Description:
Kids can join Santa for a pancake breakfast and photos during one-hour time slots. Children will also receive goodie bags. Photos with Santa will occur during the event, and attendees should bring their own camera. Special guests include Folepi, the Festival of Lights toy soldier mascot, and the 2024 Festival of Lights Queen.
Where: Peoria | More Info: Brunch with Santa
Skate With Santa
What to Expect:
Family-friendly ice skating event with public skate sessions.
Description:
Skate With Santa at Owens Ice Center offers a fun and festive ice skating experience for all ages, featuring public skate sessions and special events.
Where: Peoria | More Info: Skate With Santa
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Peoria (2 miles)
- East Peoria (4 miles)
- Pekin (11 miles)
- Normal (34 miles)
- Bloomington (35 miles)
- Galesburg (44 miles)