ExplorePeoria

ExplorePeoria ExplorePeoria.com is a locally owned website featuring events & entertainment in the Peoria IL area.
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ExplorePeoria.com is owned & managed by a Peoria native, Amy Blain, who has lived in the historical district of Peoria for over 30 years. A former television and advertising sales professional, Amy decided she wanted to create her own Peoria area website to provide information packaged to be easy & informational so people can spend their time doing the things they want to do - not searching high & low for the information!

Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival - register to win 2 tickets now at
05/26/2026

Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival - register to win 2 tickets now at

Simply read the rules & complete the form below to register! Contest Rules: 1) One entry per person (not email address). Entrants must 21 years old or older to enter. 2) By registering for the contest, you will begin to receive the ExplorePeoria.com weekly e-newsletter featuring events & entertainme...

05/19/2026

Our latest Entertainment Report features On Golden Pond at Peoria Players Theatre which runs Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24 and on Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31. A character-driven drama following elderly couple Ethel and Norman Thayer during their 48th summer at their Maine lakeside cottage. The story explores aging, strained family dynamics, and reconciliation as their estranged daughter, Chelsea, visits, leaving her boyfriend's teenage son, Billy, in their care. Tickets are on sale now at the box office, by calling 309-688-4473 or online at www.peoriaplayers.org

05/11/2026

Our most recent Entertainment Report features the 2026 Peoria Bach Festival which will take place at Westminster Presbyterian Church (located at 1420 W. Moss Ave. in Peoria) running from Sunday, May 31 through Friday, June 5. The Festival kicks off with the Bach Iben Organ Marathon on Sunday, May 31 at 4 pm. Daily concerts will begin at Noon running Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, June 1, 3, 4 & 5. On Tuesday, June 2 beginning at 7:30 pm "Friends and Rivals: A Baroque Chamber Concert on Period Instruments" will be presented. Then, the final Festival Concert will be held on Friday, June 5 beginning at 7:30 pm with pre-concert lecture beginning at 6:45 pm. That concert will feature the Peoria Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra. Andrew Bruhn of Illinois State University is this year's guest conductor. Tickets for the Tuesday and Friday evening concerts are $20 for adults and $10 for students. All the other events of the Peoria Bach Festival 2026 are free. For information on all the events, visit www.peoriabachfestival.org

05/05/2026

Our newest Entertainment Report features the upcoming Encore 2026 - A Musical R***e featuring the Morton Civic Chorus which will take place at the Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center on Thursday through Saturday, May 21 - 23 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 24 at 2 pm. Under the direction of Denise Adams, all proceeds benefit the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund (CIMKF), supporting kidney dialysis patients in the tri-county area. Tickets are available in advance at http://mortoncivicchorus.org

05/04/2026

Our latest entertainment report features Somebody's Getting GREASE'd: Murder at the Reunion presented by Upstage Theatre Company at the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Hall opening Fridays through Sundays, May 8 - 10 and May 15 - 17. Featuring a dinner, the show and a cash bar, the show is a murder mystery where the characters of the classic musical attend their 30 year high school reunion. Your favorite musical numbers will be reprised in this parody, but not before someone ends up permanently GREASED. Tickets are available in advance at https://upstagetheatrepeoria.com

04/23/2026

Our newest Entertainment Report features 42nd Street which opens at Peoria Players Theatre on Friday, April 24. One of show business’s most classic and beloved tales, 42nd Street tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway. Performances continue this weekend and Thursday, April 30 through Sunday, May 3. Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 309-688-4473 or online at https://peoriaplayers.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=60

Register to win our 2026 Mother's Day Contest at https://explorepeoria.com/2026-mothers-day-contestThe prize included 4 ...
04/12/2026

Register to win our 2026 Mother's Day Contest at https://explorepeoria.com/2026-mothers-day-contest

The prize included 4 adult brunches at Barrack’s Hospitality Group Banquet Center & Catering (Barrack's Cater Inn) on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10th) and a $50 bouquet from Prospect Florist with a total value $202!

Register today at https://explorepeoria.com/2026-mothers-day-contest

Whisper & Shout will take place at the Contemporary Art Center beginning at 8 pm. Featuring hosts Ryan Lowry and Whitney Jensen with DJ YV, water and soda are available

04/11/2026

Our newest Entertainment Report features My Big Barn III Wedding running at the Barn III Dinner Theatre in Goodfield Fridays through Sundays opening on April 10 and running through May 10 with seating beginning at 5:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 11:30 am on Sundays. Part of the new supper club series, there will be a pre-set menu including appetizers, salad, entree, sides and dessert which is included with the ticket price. There will be special extras on Mother's Day weekend. Reserve tickets by calling 309-965-2545 or visiting https://www.thebarniii.com

Happy Easter!
04/05/2026

Happy Easter!

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403 1/2 NE Jefferson Street
Peoria, IL
61603

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