Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave, Peoria
309-686-3382

John James Audubon: American Artist and Naturalist
September 18, 2010 through January 9, 2011

Wildlife Prairie State Park

Calling all 5-7 year olds for this program designed for having fun, learning and meeting new friends! By becoming a Junior Explorer, you can do it all!

Join us on the first Saturday of every month from 1-3 pm for crafts, games and projects. Each month a different topic is covered.

Admission Price: $7, plus applicable admission / $6 for Park Members
Phone: (309) 676-0998 x 6758

Wildlife Prairie State Park

10:00 am - 11:30 am.

Gather up the 2 - 4 year old in your life and bring them to the Park for a curriculum designed especially for them! This hands-on, learning program revolves around a main topic and incorporates story-time, crafts, a hike and refreshments.

The cost is $6 per child, plus applicable General Admission, $5 for Park Members. Advance payment and registration for either Tuesday or Wednesday is required. (Please choose only one session per month.)

Admission Price: $6.00 per child plus applicable General Admission, $5.00 for Park Members
Phone: (309) 676-0998 x 6758

Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 686-7000

Wildlife Rehabilitator and Educator
Marge Bjorklund brings her animals
and talks about their stories and nature.
1 p.m. Free

Local wildlife educator Marge Bjorklund
will introduce you to some of the birds
featured in the Audubon exhibition, and
more! Get an up-close look at these birds
as you learn about their important role
in our ecosystem, 1 p.m.

Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 686-7000

Wildlife Rehabilitator and Educator
Marge Bjorklund brings her animals
and talks about their stories and nature.
1 p.m. Free

Local wildlife educator Marge Bjorklund
will introduce you to some of the birds
featured in the Audubon exhibition, and
more! Get an up-close look at these birds
as you learn about their important role
in our ecosystem, 1 p.m.

Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 686-7000.

Children (ages 5 and older) are invited
to join us for gallery walks during the
Audubon exhibition. We will explore
different areas of the gallery week
by week, and learn about visiting a
museum. Free with gallery admission.

It’s Story Time at Fired Up

During story time a staff member will read the story and each child will paint a dinner plate with an outlined scene from the book.

On Saturday, December 4th we’ll go on a winter wonderland adventure with Frosty the Snowman and friends. This book is written by Steve Nelson & Jack Rollins.

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
$16/child per day (ages 5 and up)
Please call 309.685.8906 to make reservations.

5001 N. Big Hollow Road
Peoria, IL 61615
309- 693-9408
Storytime every Monday morning

5001 N. Big Hollow Road
Peoria, IL 61615
309- 693-9408
Storytime every Monday morning

5001 N. Big Hollow Road
Peoria, IL 61615
309- 693-9408
Storytime every Monday morning

Borders Bookstore
5201 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL
309-692-3082
Enjoy stories, a craft, music, and a snack. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Borders Bookstore
5201 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL
309-692-3082
Enjoy stories, a craft, music, and a snack. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Borders Bookstore
5201 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL
309-692-3082
Enjoy stories, a craft, music, and a snack. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Borders Bookstore
5201 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL
309-692-3082
Enjoy stories, a craft, music, and a snack. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Christmas at Wildlife Prairie State Park
Polar Express Experience

Dec. 10, 2010 - Dec. 12, 2010, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm; Sunday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Join us at Wildlife Prairie State Park this holiday season and experience the area's only live Polar Express Experience!

NEW THIS YEAR!

Luthy Botanical Garden

Visit our Conservatory, where our tropical collection blends with hundreds of poinsettias to create a wonderland unmatched anywhere in Peoria. Come visit us to pick out a special gift, get into the holiday spirit or enjoy the festive feeling in the air.

Luthy Botanical Garden
Candlelight Walks Fridays and Saturdays, 11/19-12/18 (except 12/4), 7-9 pm

Continue a holiday tradition or start a new one--come visit our Poinsettia Show at night, under the warm glow of hundreds of candles, while enjoying live performances of holiday music. As our gift to you, Conservatory admission will be waived during the holidays, although we always accept donations.

Luthy Botanical Garden
Candlelight Walks Fridays and Saturdays, 11/19-12/18 (except 12/4), 7-9 pm

Continue a holiday tradition or start a new one--come visit our Poinsettia Show at night, under the warm glow of hundreds of candles, while enjoying live performances of holiday music. As our gift to you, Conservatory admission will be waived during the holidays, although we always accept donations.

Luthy Botanical Garden
See the Kwanzaa Display at the Garden--12/26 through 12/31!

Come learn the significance of Mishumaa Saba and Zawadi at Luthy's Kwanzaa display. Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that celebrates family, community and culture. Learn about this wonderful cultural holiday and see our display of African plants while you enjoy the beautiful holiday surroundings of the Poinsettia Shw. Conservatory admission will be waived during the holidays, although we always accept donations.

Proctor Recreation Center
309 S. DuSable, Peoria
673-9183

12/16/10 6:00PM - 7:30PM
If you love Carnivals, you’ll love the Proctor Center Holiday Carnival! We will have food, drinks and fun! We will have games for all ages.

Do you know the best part? Santa will be here giving out gifts with his helpers! Tell your parents to pack up the family car, van or truck and come on down to Proctor Center!

$2 for members or $3 for non-members

12/04/10 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Step back in time on Saturday, 12/4 to Sommer Park's Antebellum Christmas at our Pioneer Homestead Building.

Learn some customs of the era, sing popular Christmas songs and enjoy cookies and hot drinks while you visit with Father Christmas. Please dress for the weather.

East Peoria

The almost 2-mile drive-through electric park is the Festival of Lights' signature event! Folepi's Winter Wonderland features the majority of the Parade of Lights floats and many other lighted displays.

Drive under arches while lighted reindeer leap over your car, and later through a tunnel of blue arches. And see many favorite displays, including a lighted waving Folepi.

Folepi's Winter Wonderland is two miles of oohs and aahs!

Christmas Eve - Open!
New Year's Day (night) - Open!

Location: VFW Post 2078 Park off Springfield Road, East Peoria(Entrance address: 123 Par 3 Lane, East Peoria)

5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Cars and vans - $5 Sunday-Thursday; $10 Friday-Sunday

A Victorian Christmas Celebration
Presented by the Junior League of Peoria

Please join us and take a step back in time and visit the Ballance-Herschel House "all dressed up" for the holidays. Upon arrival you'll be lost in the the beautiful sound of Christmas music played by a local harpist. Tea will include your meal, a holiday presentation and a unique shopping experience with some amazing local artists.

We have teas available at 11:00 am & 2:00pm. Tickets are $18.00 in advance only and seating is limited.

To purchase tickets, please call 309.685.9312
Ballance Herschel House
256 Northeast Randolph Avenue • Peoria, IL 61606

Peoria Civic Center

The 29th Annual Greater Peoria Farm Show will be held in the Exhibit Hall and Arena November 30 - December 2, 2010, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day. Admission is free.

Peoria Civic Center

The Peoria Ballet will present "Nutcracker" in the Theater on December 11-12, 2010. Times are 7:30 p.m. on December 11 and 2 p.m. on December 12. Tickets range from $9 - $42 and are on sale now at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com.

A family holiday tradition and perhaps the most popular of all ballets is the beloved story of Clara and the Nutcracker. Spectacular costumes and brilliant choreography transports you to the glittering Kingdom of Sweets, where beauty and breathtaking dance reign supreme. Amazing guest artists join a cast of more than 100 dancers, actors and tumblers, all wrapped up in Tchaikovsky's unforgettable music.

Peoria Civic Center

The Nebraska Caravan Theatre will present "A Christmas Carol" at the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Saturday, December 18, 2010, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22, $32 and $42 and go on sale Monday, October 4, 2010, at 10 a.m. at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at TIcketmaster.com.

A Christmas Carol: A Concert Reading
Directed by Roberta Koch
December 3-4 & 9-11 at 7:30 pm
December 5 at 2:30 pm
Corn Stock Theatre Center

A Christmas Carol: A Concert Reading
Directed by Roberta Koch
December 3-4 & 9-11 at 7:30 pm
December 5 at 2:30 pm
Corn Stock Theatre Center

Visit the John James Audubon: American Artist and Naturalist exhibit, and check out the Discovery Center with the kids.

The Junior League of Peoria
Presents

COCOA WITH SANTA

Where: Ballance-Herschel House
256 NE Randolph Ave
Peoria, IL

When: Sunday December 5, 2010
2:00pm-5:00pm

Ticket Price: $5.00 in advance or at the door

Are you tired of waiting in line at the mall to get a photo with Santa? Well we have the perfect solution for you. Join Santa at the Junior League of Peoria headquarters for cocoa and cookies. Bring your cameras as Santa will be posing for pictures. Santa's helpers will be on hand helping to decorate a holiday cookie that your child can take home. For the parents we will have a holiday marketplace on the second floor where you might just find that special gift

To make reservations call 309.685.9312
(Reservations are helpful, but not required)

It's a FREE Admission Day at the Peoria Zoo. Have fun checking out the AFRICA exhibit!

Linden Hill Farms
8412 W. Middle Road
Peoria, IL 61607
(309) 697-4041

Christmas in the Barn
December 4
December 11
Join the farm animals in the Big Barn as they settle down for the night to hear the Christmas story. Sing Christmas Carols and share the joy of the season during the frosty winter evenings. Cookies and hot chocolate provided.
Make reservations three days prior.
Cost is $5 children under 3 are free.
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Linden Hill Farms
8412 W. Middle Road
Peoria, IL 61607
(309) 697-4041

Christmas in the Barn
December 4
December 11
Join the farm animals in the Big Barn as they settle down for the night to hear the Christmas story. Sing Christmas Carols and share the joy of the season during the frosty winter evenings. Cookies and hot chocolate provided.
Make reservations three days prior.
Cost is $5 children under 3 are free.
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Skies Over Lakeview
12/08/10 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Skies Over Lakeview-Winter Constellations
Peoria Public Library- Lakeview Branch

Students and adults meet at Lakeview Branch for constellation lore and a Lakeview Planetarium star show. Students 7 to 13 years accompanied by adult. To register, call 497-2200. FREE

From project basics to giving your child the opportunity to say, "I built it!", our Build and Grow kid's clinics are a great way to help build confidence! Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project..

The clinic is open to the first 50 kids grades 2-5 who sign up and arrive at the store by 10am..

Register online

From project basics to giving your child the opportunity to say, "I built it!", our Build and Grow kid's clinics are a great way to help build confidence! Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project..

The clinic is open to the first 50 kids grades 2-5 who sign up and arrive at the store by 10am..

Register online

The Home Depot's Kids Workshops offer useful projects including the creation of toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers, as well as more educational projects, such as a window birdhouse, bughouse or Declaration of Independence frame kit.

The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.

In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.

Expo Gardens
1601 W. Northmoor Road
Peoria, IL 61614

With the holiday's fast approaching, it's time once again for the 2nd Annual Festival of Trees.

Here's what you need to know about the event:

The 2nd Annual Festival of Trees is coming up on December 3 - December 5 at Expo Gardens. Beautifully decorated trees will be on display and available for purchase through a silent auction. Other activites include a Cookie Shop sponsored by Apple's Bakery, a live wreath shop sponsored by Hoerr Nursery, a family friendly Friday Night concert by The Corn Wolves (three memebers of JammSammich), a Saturday Night Pajama party with Santa featuring Julie K, a gift shop, and out and about gift certificate tree and much more.

Dates/Times

27th Annual Holiday Store

“The Stocking Stuffer”…the Children Only Store

“The Stocking Stuffer” is a one-of-a-kind store in Peoria. It is where children 12 and under do their holiday shopping with a "Personal Shopper" helper. Each child registers at the door; parents and child are given numbered paint sticks to match up when the little shopper is finished and returned safely to the waiting parent. The Children ONLY Store gives children a great feeling of independence shopping without Mom or Dad. Children love to be able to select special gifts and have it be a surprise too!

Breakfast with Santa
(aka Critter Christmas)

Saturday, Dec 4th, 9-11 am

Enjoy Christmas Zoo style! Enjoy a light breakfast and crafts with Santa in our lodge from 9:00-11:00, and then head out into the Zoo. Starting at 10:00, our animals will get gifts here at the Zoo.

Everyone from meerkats to lions to tigers will receive special treats throughout the day. Special thanks to the Ol Dairy Barn Christmas Tree Farms in Trivoli for the Christmas trees.

Friday, December 3, 5:00 - 8:00p.m.

Over 1,000 candlelight luminaries bathe downtown Pekin with a warm, festive glow for this early evening Business Open House. Strolling carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, outdoor theatre and photos with Santa. Family event.

Eastlight Theatre
East Peoria

Joseph 2010! ~20th Celebration~
December 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 at 7:30pm
December 5, 12 at 2:00pm

Can you believe it? Eastlight’s JOSEPH will take the stage for the 20th straight year! We have some great fun and new twists in store to celebrate this milestone. Thousands of people have enjoyed the magic that is Joseph, so be sure to join us for this Central Illinois holiday favorite!

Eastlight Theatre
East Peoria

Joseph 2010! ~20th Celebration~
December 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 at 7:30pm
December 5, 12 at 2:00pm

Can you believe it? Eastlight’s JOSEPH will take the stage for the 20th straight year! We have some great fun and new twists in store to celebrate this milestone. Thousands of people have enjoyed the magic that is Joseph, so be sure to join us for this Central Illinois holiday favorite!

Sunday, December 5
5:00 - 8:00 pm

Trinity Lutheran Church
135 NE Randolph Ave, Peoria

Shopping on a budget this holiday?
The Peoria Moms on the Move have the answer!
Come shop a gymnasium full of gently-used toys
and holiday clothing looking for a new home!
Over 15 families selling! Cash Only.

Save some money while getting your kids some fun presents! Some things will be new-in-box as well! Come see the selection! Should be a great selection of toys, games, etc from Newborn up!!

*** Please bring a canned food as a donation to the church! ***

Demonstration Day

On Saturday December 18, the Lakeview Museum Store will be hosting a Demonstration Day in the lobby of Lakeview Museum. This is a free event meant to showcase several of the local artists whose work is carried by the Museum Store. The featured artists will be:
• Jeremie Draper – Echo Valley Glass (10am-Noon only)
• Christine Perkins – Wire Crochet Jewelry (10am-1pm only)
• Jan Ebling – Wire Wrapped and Beaded Jewelry
• Joan Furilla – Precious Metal Clay Jewelry
• Phil Krumholz – Fossil and Mineral Jewelry

These artists will have a selection of works available for sale and will be more than happy to talk with you about their processes and any other questions you may have about their work. We hope to see you there!

Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Saturday, December 18 from 9 am to 11 am
Call (309) 692-3672 ext. 0 to Make Your Reservations

Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Jillian's benefiting Easter Seals is on Saturday, December 18th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Call today for your reservation at (309) 692.3672 ext. 0. The cost is $10 per person with a reservation or $15 at the door. Each Registrant will receive a $5 Jillian's Game Card, a Breakfast, Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Balloon Art and get to participate in a Sing-A-Long.

The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters will bring the 2011 "4 Times the Fun" World Tour to the Peoria Civic Center Arena on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $19, $29, $39 and $79.

The Harlem Globetrotters, who have contributed more innovations to the game of basketball than any other team in history, have implemented the first-ever 4-point shot as part of all of its games on the team’s 2011 “4 Times the Fun” North American tour.

This game-changing innovation will be on display when the Globetrotters take on the Washington Generals at the Peoria Civic Center Arena in Peoria, IL!

Owens Center
5-7 pm
Santa loves the chilly air inside Owens! Come see him for yourself and skate with family and friends. Regular admission applies to this event.

Caterpillar Performing Arts Center at Five Points in Washington IL
Friday, December 31 · 10:30am - 12:00pm

Grab your little party animals and get ready to ring in the New Year with Award Winning Children’s Recording Artist Julie K at her first annual “Noon Year’s Eve Celebration”! This is sure to be a joyous occasion with special festivities including Julie K’s most popular songs, dance numbers by Just Dance Water Street Dance Company, countdown to noon with a massive balloon drop and bubble wrap stomp, Julie K’s celebration concert... promises to be a fantastic family affair! 5,4,3,2,1….Happy Noon Year!!!

Ticket price $8.00 or $10.00 at the door and will go on sale October 22nd.

5001 N. Big Hollow Road
Peoria, IL 61615
309- 693-9408
Storytime every Monday morning