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Festival of Lights
East Peoria's Annual Festival of Lights celebration is by far our most popular group tour events! An ABA (American Bus Association) Top 100 Event in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009, this winter wonderland is observing its 25th year. Read on for details...
For a two-day group itinerary during the Festival of Lights, click here!
Light up your night at the East Peoria Festival of Lights (FOLEPI). The 25th annual Festival of Lights is a one-of-a-kind holiday spectacular. With more than two million lights in the Festival, the beauty will be sure to mesmerize you and your family.
The Parade of Lights kicks off the Festival of Lights at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, November 28th, 2009. This one-night event features a parade of 30 lighted floats that will cruise down the streets of East Peoria along a three-mile route. For information on diasabled parking options for the parade click here.
Click Here for the complete Parade Route Map
Click Here for the Festival of Lights Map
Click Here for information on the EPCHS Band Performance before the Parade!
The festival continues when you journey through FOLEPI's Winter Wonderland. This special attraction is open December 4th-December 31st (Open December 24th). The Winter Wonderland features two miles of captivating beauty as cars and motorcoaches drive through a glowing park with an electric bill of $50,000!
Parade floats and animated displays continually entertain
as motorists travel down the drive.
Hours: 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Admission: $5 per car Monday-Thursday and $10 per car Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
For motorcoach rates, please contact Cheryl at 309-282-3279.
Address:
123 Par 3 Lane
East Peoria, IL 61611
Treat your family to a breathtaking nativity scene at the Narrated Nativity. As you witness the five elaborately detailed, life-size structures, you can listen to 1610 AM on your car radio for a two-minute narration - making the scene come to life. The Narrated Nativity is open 24 hours from December 4th-31st.
This year, be sure to enjoy Folepi's Freedom Park,a stunning display at East Peoria's RiverFront Park along the Illinois River. The park will be decorated in a patriotic holiday theme, featuring the military-themed floats, lighted emblems of each branch of the military and memorials for East Peorians lost in World War I, World War II, the Korean Wat and Vietnam War, as well as a memorial for the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Take the kids to visit Santa! Santa brings out the kid in everyone! The jolly elf will be available for visits in the lobby at EastSide Centre. Be sure to bring a camera for photos! Refreshments will be available from EastSide Smoothies.
Hours: 5-9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 4-20, 2009- 5-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 21-23, 2009
- Address: EastSide Centre, 1 EastSide Drive, East Peoria
The Spirit of Peoria paddlewheeler offers the Festival of Lights Holiday Cruise on the scenic Illinois River. The dinner or matinee features a hot homemade buffet, two-hour cruise and musical entertainment by Prairie Folklore Theatre.
Matinee Cruise dates: November 28, and December 5, 12 and 16. Matinee Cruises board at noon and return at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $36 for adults and $18 for children.
Dinner Cruise date: December 3-5, December 11 and 12. Dinner Cruises board at 6:30 p.m. and return at 9:00 p.m. Cost is $40 for adults and $20 for children 
Our Festival of Lights features additional entertainment options, such as Eastlight Theatre's productions. Eastlight Theatre is a nonprofit regional community theater only five minutes from the Par-a-Dice Riverboat Casino. The air-conditioned theater seats over 1,000 and features the best Midwest and Chicago professional entertainers. This holiday season, enjoy Eastlight Theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This Andrew Lloyd Weber's smash Broadway musical has been a Festival of Lights and Eastlight Theatre tradition for 19 years!
Cost is $17 for adults and $7 for children.
For tickets, call 309-699-SHOW or CLICK HERE
Evening shows at 7:30 p.m. on December 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Matinee shows at 2:00 p.m. on December 6 and 13.
Click here for the complete Festival of Lights Guide.
Be sure to check out our Calendar of Events for more Holiday Happenings in the Peoria Area!
For tour dates, prices and other holiday offerings please email Cheryl Bockhold-Sloan at cbsloan@peoria.org or call at (309) 676-0303.
Happy Holidays from the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau!
The Festival of Lights is one of the largest volunteer-run light festivals in the United States. This is an event the whole family can enjoy for the holiday season. The festival runs from December 4 - December 31, 2009. The festival adds new floats and events every year so each year is a new and exciting experience.
PARKING FOR DISABLED PARADE VIEWERS
Special parking areas have been set aside to provide those who are disabled with a wonderful view of the parade from their vehicles. A disabled parking area will be enforced along Taylor Street from East Peoria Autobody to Central Junior High School and in a city lot across from Fodulac District Library in downtown East Peoria. Vehicles must have a handicapped sticker, license plate or dash card. The East Peoria Police Department will allow vehicles to park there the night before as long as the cars are properly tagged. Deiters Funeral Home, located at 444 E. Washington Street also makes their parking lot available, but a small donation to the local Kiwanis Club is requested. Drivers need to be aware there are a limited number of handicapped parking areas. If you need to make other arrangements for handicapped parking, call the East Peoria Police Department non-emergency number, 698-4700. Because the parade begins at the Festival Building at 5:45 p.m. sharp, many roads along the route will be closed by 5 p.m. sharp!
For detailed information on the East Peoria Festival of Lights, call (800) 365-3743 or visit http://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/
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