Celebrate the holidays with a million sparkles of excitement during the 27th annual East Peoria Festival of Lights. As one of the largest lighted nighttime festivals in the nation, the Festival of Lights will officially begin Friday, December 2, and continue through January 1, 2012. Click here for information on the popular drive-through Winter Wonderland.

Watch our Festival of Lights video! - Read the MSNBC - WEEK-TV Article

View our Festival of Lights and Area Holiday Events Brochure Online

View the Festival of Lights Map or Get Directions 

Parade of Lights

Date: Saturday, November 26 - One night only!  

The Parade kicks off the start of the Festival of Lights at 5:45 pm. Approximately 20 lighted floats illuminate the streets of East Peoria along a three-mile parade route on Washington Street. Don't miss this one-night-only opportunity to see the Festival of Lights on the move!
Click here for the Parade Route.  

The Festival of Lights, Parade of Lights,
will air this year on WEEK/Channel 25.

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011

At 6:30 p.m.

Channel 25/WEEK (NBC)

DIRECTIONS:

• Decatur/Lincoln: I-55 North to I-74 West to East Peoria* Exit 96**
• Lasalle/Peru: I-80 West to Route 180 South to Route 29 South to East Peoria*
• Champaign/Bloomington-Normal: I-74 West to East Peoria* Exit 96**
• Springfield: I-55 to I-155 at Lincoln, then I-74 West to East Peoria* Exit 96**
• Chicago: I-55 South to I-74 West to East Peoria* Exit 96** 

* Evening of Parade of Lights, use I-74 Riverside Drive Exit 94 to East Peoria. Stay in left lane.
Park in Caterpillar Inc. parking lots as directed. Tune to 530AM radio for directions. 

** After taking Exit 96, take a left on E. Washington, then take a left at the light on Springfield Rd.
and look for Festival of Lights signs.

Winter Wonderland

Dates: December 2, 2011 - January 1, 2012  (Open December 25)

FOLEPI's Winter Wonderland is a spectacular holiday attraction - a two-mile drive through electric park, featuring lighted displays and floats.

Hours: 5-9pm Sun-Thurs. and 5-11pm Fri-Sat.

Admission:  Cars and family vans $10, limousines, RVs, extended vans and mini or party buses $20 ** CASH ONLY ** and full size buses $150.

***ATTENTION GPS USERS:  INPUT ADDRESS 801 SPRINGFIELD ROAD, WHICH IS LINCOLN SCHOOL. THE ENTRANCE TO WINTER WONDERLAND IS ABOUT ONE BLOCK PAST THE SCHOOL.***

Narated Nativity Scene

Date: December 3-31

This beautiful handmade attraction maintained by a dedicated volunteer base details the "reason for the season." Tune into radio station 1610AM to hear a two-minute narration. Admission is free.

Bass Pro Shops - Santa's Wonderland

Dates: November and December 2011 

NEW!! East Peoria's RiverFront is home to the brand new Bass Pro Shops. Enjoy Free Crafts, Games, Activities and

Much More! Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, take a spin with toy trains and cars as you enjoy Santa's Wonderland.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 

(BY EASTLIGHT THEATRE)

Dates: December 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 & 10 at 7:30 p.m. and December 4 & 11 at 2:00 p.m.

The ALL NEW Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns for it's 21st year on Eastlight's stage! Last year's fresh set is back with a few new additions sprinkled in.  Thousands of people have enjoyed the magic that is Joseph, so be sure to join us for this Central Illinois holiday favorite!

Festival of Lights Holiday Cruise

(ABOARD THE SPIRIT OF PEORIA)

Dates: Lunch cruises Nov. 26, Dec. 2, 3, 9 & 10 at noon Dinner cruises December 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Prairie Folklore Theatre celebrates the Spirit of the Holidays on the Spirit of Peoria with "A Celtic Christmas." Bring all your kin to the party as we connect the ancient tales and songs of Old Ireland with today's joyous Christmas Traditions.

Historic Holiday Traditions

Dates: Nov. 27, 1-4 pm and 6-8 p.m. (evening by candlelight) and Dec. 4, 1-4 p.m.

The 131-year-old Doering Homeplace provides a unique look back in time during open houses sponsored by the East Peoria Historical Society. Holiday decorations will include 1800s-style handmade ornaments.

For more holiday attractions in the Peoria Area check out our Calendar of Events!

For more on the Festival of Lights or for other holiday attractions please contact the Peoria Area CVB 1-800-747-0302. If you are a motorcoach or group that would like to experience the Festival of Lights; find out more about pricing, lodging and itineraries by calling Jill Gleason at 309.282.3281.