The Peoria Irish Fest will take place August 25 – 27, 2023, in Peoria’s Riverfront Park.

Performers scheduled to play include:
- Red Hot Chilli Pipers - Dave Curley & Mick Broderick
- Socks in the Frying Pan - House of Hamill
- The Byrne Brothers - Ryan Young 
- Shane Hennessey

“We’re very happy to bring back the group our guests request most often – the Red Hot Chilli Pipers,” said Entertainment Chair Tom McConnaughay. “Along with other returning favorites – Socks in the Frying Pan, The Byrne Brothers, and Dave Curley and Mick Broderick - they all have a following in Peoria and will deliver exactly the performances our guests expect from our fest.

“Celtic music comes in so many varieties and we try to offer something for everyone. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are a superstar group of what they call Bag Rock. Shane Hennessey has been called one of the most exciting performers of his generation by Irish Music Magazine. And House of Hamill from Philadelphia and Ryan Young of Scotland bring the variety of musical styles that many of our fest friends seek.”

The Peoria Irish Fest is the largest Illinois Celtic festival outside of Chicago. Tickets at the door will cost $15, with a three-day Event Pass for $30. Discounted tickets are available online now, and kids under 12 are always free.

With more than 40 performances on multiple stages, the Peoria Irish Fest has something for everyone. Fantastic shopping opportunities, a Cultural Village chocked full of exhibits, delicious food and beverages, and kids’ activities.

Peoria Irish fest runs from Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27, and is a partnership between the St. Patrick Society of Peoria and the Peoria Park District. Get tickets and more information at www.peoriairishfest.com and get updates on our Facebook page.

The Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Riverfront Museum, and the Jewish Federation of Peoria present: Concert of Hope, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Peoria Holocaust Memorial featuring a live performance by the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.

The Concert of Hope showcases Jewish stories of resistance and unity through the power of musical performance. The concert will be a companion to the Violins of Hope exhibition, which commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Peoria Holocaust Memorial and will open to the public on Aug. 4, 2023.

Amid the human destruction of the Holocaust, the treasures of the Jewish people were also displaced. The Nazis burned, smashed, looted, and confiscated the possessions of millions. But some precious pieces remained. Many musical instruments survived when their owners did not.

Israeli violinmakers Amnon and Avshalom (Avshi) Weinstein have spent the past 20 years collecting and repairing 70 Holocaust-era violins and other stringed instruments from around the world. Together they have lovingly located and restored the violins, reclaiming their lost heritage and reinforcing essential messages of harmony and humanity.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum will host 10 violins as part of the gallery exhibition. Four of the violins are playable and will be featured in a special performance, the Concert of Hope, by the PSO at the museum.

The violins have traveled to cities across the globe, including Rome, Tel Aviv, Berlin, Cleveland, London, Washington D.C., Los Angeles County, Chicago, and now Peoria, Illinois.

The Concert of Hope, featuring the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, will take place at the Peoria Riverfront Museum Sunday, Aug. 27, at 4 p.m. Tickets for the concert are $50 for museum members and $65 for non-members. Tickets and a list of other events related to the Violins of Hope exhibition can be found on the museum website at: peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.

For tickets: Ticketscart.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/performance.aspx