thru Dec 20 – Luthy Botanical Gardens Candlelight Walks – Experience the beauty of the Poinsettia Show at night under the warm glow of hundreds of candles. Conservatory admission will be waived during the holidays. 2520 N. Prospect Rd.

thru Dec 24 – Nature Art Show & Sale – Mon-Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sundays: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 N. Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights. Call (309) 686-3360. This art show features a diversity of media and unique artwork, all created by talented local artists. It is a great way to support local artists and find original nature-related photographs, paintings, woodcarvings, handmade jewelry, and more. Enjoy the wood-burning stove; hot drinks, and the rustic charm of the Nature Center.

thru Dec 29 – Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre presents “Deck the Halls!” Doors Open at 6:00 p.m., Buffet 6:30-7:30 p.m., Show at 8:00 p.m. Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre, PO Box 310, Goodfield, IL. Call (309) 965-2545. Admission: $35 ($37 for musicals). Jingle the bells, roast the chestnuts and get ready for a fabulous time!

thru Dec 31 – The East Peoria Winter Wonderland is a 2-mile drive thru display where you can see almost all of the floats from the Festival of Lights Parade.

thru Dec 31 – Folepi’s Winter Wonderland — Times: 5-9 pm Sun-Thurs and 5-11pm Fri & Sat. Admission: Cars and family Vans – $10. Limos, RVs, extended vans, mini and party buses – $20. Full sized buses – $150. A spectacular holiday attraction in a two-mile drive-
through electric park featuring lighted displays and floats.

thru Dec 31st – An Old Fashioned Christmas at Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre – Recurring daily. Festive musical merry-makers are back in a brand new holiday show filled with sparkling holiday music and hilarious comedy routines.

Dec 3 – 5 – Greater Peoria Farm Show – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Peoria Civic Center Arena. Call 507-437-7969. Free Admission. This is Illinois’ largest indoor farm show with over 150,000 square feet of agricultural exhibits. Over 300 companies, representing over 1000 product lines and services, will fill the Peoria Civic Center for three big days. For the most up to date information visit http://greaterpeoriafarmshow.com/

Dec 5 – Washington Candlelight Stroll – Caroling with refreshments and free carriage rides is a holiday tradition on the square in historic downtown Washington.

Dec 6 – Central IL Arts Organization First Friday – Join us for an intimate look at studios, galleries and arts organizations from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Meet artists, musicians, neighbors and collectors. The tour includes eleven locations and spans a breadth of artistic media. Come, enjoy the unique efforts of creative and talented artists living and working in Central Illinois. Admission: FREE

Dec 6 – Christmas on the Court, Pekin, IL – Luminaries bathe downtown Pekin with a warm festive glow for strolling carolers and horse-drawn carriages.

Dec 6 – 8 – Folepi’s Gifts Galore fine Art & Gift Show – This new event features holiday decorations, apparel, jewelry, small sculptures, glass blown items, handmade greeting cards and more. All items are created by area artists and priced for gift-giving: $10-$99. Civic Plaza in East Peoria’s Levee District

Dec 6 – 14 – Holiday Cruises Aboard the Spirit of Peoria – Prairie Folklore Theatre celebrates the spirit of the holidays 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! Recurring daily

Dec 7 – 8 – Peoria Historical Society Christmas Houses – Call 309-674-1921. The homes listed below will be open Saturday, December 7 from 5:00- 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale November 1st. Adult tickets are $12.00 each with advance purchase or $15.00 at the door. Children 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Flanagan House: Built 1837 American Federalist 942 NE Glen Oak Ave
Sherry Seckler Home: Built 1880 Stick-Eastlake 924 NE Glen Oak Ave
Pettengill-Morron House: Built 1868, Second Empire/Victorian 1212 W. Moss Ave
Richard Tomic Home: Built 1910, Cape Cod 1605 W. Moss Ave
John and Barb Timerman House: Built 1917, Arts & Crafts 1537 W. Moss Ave

Dec 7 – The Golden Historical Society will present their 8th annual “Christmas at the Mill” in Golden, IL. Activities will begin at 9:00 AM with sales by vendors in the Windmill Hall featuring crafts and other gift items for Christmas shopping. Vendors may secure a booth by calling 217 593-7291.)

Dec 7 – 8 – Splendor of Christmas Past – On Sat. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sun. at five Historic Homes on Glen Oak Avenue and Moss Avenue. Call (309) 674-1921. Admission: $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Revel in the splendor of holidays past with a tour of five vintage homes in two distinctive historic districts of Peoria, Illinois. Carolers, luminaries, dazzling Christmas décor, and costumed re-enactors capture and celebrate the Christmas spirit with the Peoria Historical Society.

Dec 8 – Concert and Dinner Event with Sacred Heart of Peoria at Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Call (309) 673-6316. Music concert 6:00 p.m./Dinner at Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette. Concert only: $10 adult/ $5 children 12 and under Concert and Dinner*: $40 adult/ $34 children 12 and under. *Price excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. Cash bar available.

Dec 12 – Fine Arts Society presents: “The Art of the Pieta” by Rolf Achilles, Curator at the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. Refreshments at 9:30 a.m.; lecture at 10:00 a.m. Anshai Emeth, 5614 N University, Peoria. Tickets at the door: Adults $10, Students $5. Call (309) 693-7600 or www.FineArtsSociety.net.

Dec 14 – 15 – Peoria Ballet will present The Nutcracker at The Peoria Civic Center Theater, Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m.! Call for tickets at 690-7990.

Dec 14 – Christmas Cookie Walk sponsored by Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at Christ Lutheran Church (corner of Starr & Faraday Streets) from 9:00 a.m. – noon. Homemade cookies, candies & fudge. Still only $5 per lb. Call 637-5309 or 682-6429.

Dec 14 – Peoria Art Guild Trunk Show – 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at 203 Harrison St., Peoria. Due to limited space this year, the 2013 “Trunk Show” will be a juried event. This show is open to all artists 18 years of age and older. Artist(s) must be present to exhibit their work during the hours of the show. Representatives are not permitted to serve as a substitute for the artist(s). Decisions of the jury panel are final. The Peoria Art Guild will notify all applicants of jury decision Artists should call 309-637-2787 or email: breus@peoriaartguild.org.

Dec 15 – Holiday Business Showcase by Plan Ahead Events – 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. @ Gateway Bldg., 200 NE Water St. Free admission. Shop & support over 50 local businesses under one roof. Free food & drink samples. Live entertainment & a raffle full of great prizes! If you have questions or are interested in becoming a vendor, please email AnnetteBegner@planaheadevents.com

Dec 17 — Peoria Knit & Crochet Guild meet 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. @ North Study room – Lakeview Library. Call 253-8104for more info.

Dec 20 – 22 – Join the Peoria Area Civic Chorale on Dec. 20 & 21 at 7:30 p.m. and 22 at 2:30 p.m. for one of Central Illinois’ most treasured holiday traditions. Enjoy soulful renditions of traditional carols, crowd-pleasing holiday favorites, gems of choral literature, and more. Features the PACC Youth Chorus and special guests, it is sure to be an event that you won’t want to miss!

Dec 26 – 30 – Luthy Botanical Gardens Kwanza Display – Recurring daily at the Luthy Botanical Garden. Come and learn about this wonderful cultural holiday and see their display of African plants. Conservatory admission will be waived during the holidays.