Last updated: November 11, 2024
Plan your holiday fun in Pekin with our guide. Discover all the best festive events and activities. Whether Pekin is your permanent address or your temporary haven, this guide is your holiday companion.
One festive highlight is the Peoria Santa Claus Parade, where the jolly old man makes his grand entrance, bringing joy through lively floats and spirited music. Alongside this, Christmas in the Village offers a delightful experience with charming decorations and local artisans showcasing their crafts. And the Pekin Winter Wonderland is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring beautiful light displays that transform the park into a magical scene. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Pekin Holiday Markets and Shopping
Annual Christmas on Court
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly event with Santa appearances and live music.
- Description
- Join us in Downtown Pekin for the 22nd Annual Christmas on Court, featuring Santa, live entertainment, and a diverse holiday shopping experience with local vendors and businesses.
- Where
- Pekin | More Info : Annual Christmas on Court
Peoria Art Guild Crimson Door Sale
- What to Expect
- Local artists selling diverse art pieces.
- Description
- The Peoria Art Guild Crimson Door Sale features local artists showcasing their work in a variety of mediums, including jewelry, painting, ceramics, and more. This event provides an excellent opportunity to support local talent and discover unique pieces of art.
- Where
- Peoria | More Info : Peoria Art Guild Crimson Door Sale
Pekin Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas in the Village
- What to Expect
- Largest live Christmas tree in Peoria.
- Description
- Christmas in the Village is an annual holiday festival at the Peoria Riverfront Museum featuring a large live Christmas tree, local vendors, festive food and drinks, horse-drawn carriage rides, a holiday laser show, carolers, live animals, and Peoria Ballet Nutcracker ballerinas.
- Where
- Peoria | More Info : Christmas in the Village
PJs, Pancakes & the Polar Express
- What to Expect
- Holiday-themed breakfast with Santa and a special screening of "The Polar Express."
- Description
- A holiday event at the Peoria Riverfront Museum where attendees can wear their holiday pajamas, enjoy pancakes with Santa, and watch "The Polar Express" in the Giant Screen Theater.
- Where
- Peoria | More Info : PJs, Pancakes & the Polar Express
Nutcracker by Peoria Ballet
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with professional guest artists and live orchestra.
- Description
- Peoria Ballet presents The Nutcracker, featuring 100 students and professional guest artists from New York City, performing Tchaikovsky's timeless score with the Heartland Festival Orchestra.
- Where
- Peoria | More Info : Nutcracker by Peoria Ballet
Holly Jolly Jazzy Christmas
- What to Expect
- Holiday jazz performance with Vince Guaraldi's score.
- Description
- The Holly Jolly Jazzy Christmas at the Betty Jayne features Kevin Hart Trio playing a mix of holiday jazz standards and Vince Guaraldi's score from the Charlie Brown Christmas. Enjoy colorful renditions of holiday classics like Winter Wonderland and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
- Where
- Peoria | More Info : Holly Jolly Jazzy Christmas
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- What to Expect
- Biblical story told entirely through song with catchy tunes and lively choreography.
- Description
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a vibrant musical retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, and his eleven brothers. Told entirely through song, the musical follows Joseph as he is sold into slavery, rises to prominence in Egypt, and ultimately reunites with his family.
- Where
- Peoria | More Info : Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Pekin Other Holiday Activities
Peoria Santa Claus Parade
- What to Expect
- Longest running holiday parade in the country with a rich history and diverse entries.
- Description
- The Peoria Santa Claus Parade is a long-standing holiday tradition 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
Pekin Winter Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday event with unique balloon art and fireworks.
- Description
- Join us at Pekin Winter Wonderland for a festive holiday celebration featuring pony rides, balloon art, a Christmas parade, and fireworks over Mineral Springs Park.
- Where
- Pekin | More Info : Pekin Winter Wonderland
Holiday Home Tour
- What to Expect
- Beautifully decorated historic homes with special displays and activities.
- Description
- The Holiday Home Tour in Peoria features lavishly decorated historic homes, special displays, and activities showcasing the city's rich holiday traditions.
- Where
- Peoria | More Info : Holiday Home Tour
Keefy Cannfest 2024
- What to Expect
- Unique cannabis-friendly event with diverse music and activities.
- Description
- Keefy Cannfest 2024 is a cannabis-themed festival featuring live music, top industry cultivators, local food trucks, craft vendors, live art, and a dab bar. The event includes performances by Lil Wyte, Blind Fury, Jehry Robinson, Lex Bratcher, Darker Than Fiction, and Colt Ball. It also offers terpene testing contests, 420 bingo, and various giveaways.
- Where
- Pekin | More Info : Keefy Cannfest 2024