DEC.  8

 

Christmas Puppet Show at the Library

Thursday, 10-10:30 a.m.

Lincoln Branch Library, 1312 W. Lincoln, Peoria

Free

Ages 3-6 will enjoy the puppet show “Santa Cures a Cold.” For more information, call (309) 497-2600.

 

 

DEC.  8-11

 

Bugsy Malone Performance

Thurs. & Fri. 7 p.m.; Sat. 1:30 and 7 p.m.; Sun. 1:30 p.m.

Peoria Players Theatre, 4300 N. University, Peoria

$15; $9 for 12 and under and 62+

Community Children’s Theatre presents version of 1976 film. For more information, call (309) 688-3667.

 

 

DEC.  9

 

Lightwire Theater

Friday, 7 p.m.

Limelight Eventplex, 8102 N. University, Peoria

$28-$35

Actors in special lighted suits perform against a black stage to portray a young bird and his family as they prepare for their journey south. For more information, call (309) 693-1234.

 

Homeschoolers: Winter Star Gazing

Fridays ; Dec. 9 & 16; 1:15-2:15 p.m.

Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St.

$15 for 2 sessions

Students will learn to use a star map, and locate several winter constellations. For more information, call (309) 686-7000.

 

Pre-K Pottery Class at the Museum

Fridays, Dec. 9-16; 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St.

$17 for 2 sessions

Children will take home two completed pieces at the end of each session. For more information, call (309) 686-7000.

 

 

DEC.   9-10

 

Holiday Shop and Stroll at Forest Park

Fri. & Sat. 6-8:30 p.m.

Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 N. Forest Park Drive, Peoria

Free, donations appreciated

Experience a nighttime stroll on a forest path lit by luminaries and the Holiday Shop where there will be live music, storytelling, caroling, wassail and goodies. For more information, visit peoriaparks.org.

 

Kickapoo Dinner Theatre

Fri. & Sat. 6 p.m.

Kickapoo Creek Winery, 6605 N. Smith Road, Edwards

$40 per person

Reserve your space at the event which includes a gourmet buffet dinner, dessert and a Christmas show filled with song and comedy. For more information, visit kickapoocreekwinery.com.

 

Murder Mystery Dinner: A Christmas Gory

Fri. & Sat. 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, 33633 State Rt. 9, Mackinaw

$45 per person

Event includes wine sampling, buffet style dinner and dessert and an audience participation murder mystery. For more information, call (309) 359-9463.

 

The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged)

Fri. & Sat. 6:30 and 7:30

Broadway Lounge at the Waterhouse, 316 SW Washington St., Peoria.

$40

Dinner buffets begin at 6:30 and 7:30. The Three Wise Guys perform the entire variety show by themselves since none of the acts scheduled to perform have arrived. For more information, visit www.peoriacabarettheatre.com.

 

 

DEC.  9-11

 

Santa’s Wildlife Express

Fri. 4-8 p.m.; Sat. 2-8 p.m.; Sun. 2-7 p.m.

Wildlife Prairie Park, 3826 N. Taylor Rd., Hanna City

$13

Ride a train through the decorated woods, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and decorate a cookie to take home. For reservations call (309) 676-0998.

 

 

DEC.  10

 

Peoria Pops Orchestra: Classic Christmas

Saturday, 7 p.m.

Washington Five-Points, 360 N. Wilmor Road

$12; seniors $10; students $8

Enjoy the sounds of Christmas. For more information, call (309) 682-1200.

 

Holiday Fairy House Construction at the Library

Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-noon

McClure Branch Library, 315 W. McClure Ave., Peoria

Free

Design and built a fairy house that is completely edible. Supplies are limited, so call (309) 497-2150 to register.

 

Holiday Gingerbread House Craft

Saturday, 2:30-4 p.m.

Lakeview Branch Library, 1137 W. Lake Ave., Peoria

Free

Children in grades 1-6 make their own gingerbread houses. To register, call (309) 497-2600.

 

Kids’ Make-It, Take-It at the Library

Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Alpha Park Library, 3527 S. Airport Road, Bartonville

Free

Children ages 4 through grade 4 with a parent or caregiver can make a holiday craft. For more information, call (309) 697-3822.

 

 

DEC.  10-11

 

Peoria Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Sat. 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m.

Peoria Civic Center Theater, 201 SW Jefferson

$9-$44

Timeless ballet will be performed by the Peoria Ballet and the Heartland Festival Orchestra. For more information, call (309) 690-7990.

 

 

DEC.  11

 

Breakfast with Santa at Wildlife Park

Sun. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Wildlife Prairie Park, 3826 N. Taylor Road, Hanna City

$14.95 adults; $9.95 children 3-12

Breakfast with Santa fee includes admission to the park for the day. For reservations, call (309) 676-0998.

 

Prairie Wind Ensemble Performance

Sun. 7:30 p.m.

ICC Performing Arts Center, 1 College Drive, E. Peoria

$8 adults; $ students and seniors

First class music by local musicians. For more information, call (309) 694-5136.

 

 

DEC.  12

 

Learn Basic Computer Skills at the Library

Monday, 7-8 p.m.

Alpha Park Library, 3527 S. Airport Road, Bartonville

Free

In one hour you will learn what it takes to begin to operate your computer. Register by calling (309) 697-3822, ext. 13.

 

 

DEC.  13

 

Christmas Puppet Show at the Library

Thursday, 10-10:30 a.m.

Lincoln Branch Library, 1312 W. Lincoln, Peoria

Free

Ages 3-6 will enjoy the puppet show “Santa Cures a Cold.” For more information, call (309) 497-2600.

 

The Night Before Christmas Readers Theater

Tuesday, 5-6 p.m.

Lincoln Branch Library, 1312 W. Lincoln, Peoria

Free

Youth in grades 5 and 6 will act out the famous story. For more information, call (309) 497-2600.

 

 

DEC.  13-14

 

Auditions for Cornstock’s “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”

Tuesday & Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Corn Stock Theatre Center, 1700 N. Park Road, Peoria

Free

Would-be actors can audition for roles in the upcoming play. For more information, visit cornstocktheatre.com.

 

 

DEC.  14

 

Snowflake Tape Painting

Wednesday, 4-5 p.m.

Lakeview Library, 1137 W. Lake Ave., Peoria

Free

Youth in grades 4-8 can celebrate winter by painting their own snowflake tape art. For more information, (309) 497-2200.

 

 

— Peoria County Events —