The Peoria Park District and the German American Central Society are pleased to welcome back the annual German Festival, Oktoberfest for its 17th anniversary! This 3-day event showcases German heritage through song, dance, food, drink, cultural exhibits and much more. Don’t miss the talented German bands and musicians on multiple stages, vendors, and much more! Put on your authentic German attire and head down to the RiverFront for a true cultural experience. For more information, please visit www.peoriagermans.net.

Spirit of Peoria ~ St. Louis to Grafton Cruise Our single-day cruises are essentially abbreviated versions of our multiple-day trips, just without the overnight lodging. Entertainment includes live singing, guitar, banjo, and ragtime piano, storytelling, historical information at various spots, wilflife sightings, and more. Enjoy the slower pace of life on this unique paddleboat! Click here for more information ...

Spirit of Peoria ~ Grafton to Florence Cruise Our single-day cruises are essentially abbreviated versions of our multiple-day trips, just without the overnight lodging. Entertainment includes live singing, guitar, banjo, and ragtime piano, storytelling, historical information at various spots, wilflife sightings, and more. Enjoy the slower pace of life on this unique paddleboat! Click here for more information ...

Enjoy live music from local and regional bands every Friday at the Contemporary Art Center.  Tonight features Rooster Alley! For a complete schedule, visit www.peoriacac.org

Admission is $7 for members ($10 for nonmembers), $6 for student & senior members ($9 for student & senior nonmembers).  Students with valid school ID & seniors age 65 & older.

Live at the Five Spot followed by Salsa lessons and dancing on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month and Swing lessons and dancing on the 4th Friday of each month ~  8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.  Visit www.peoriacac.org for more details.

The RiverFront Market features local produce, meats, cheeses, breads, flowers and much more!  Plus local art, live music and demonstrations each week.

Every Saturday morning, June - September, 8 a.m. - noon, in Liberty Park (corner of Liberty and Water Streets).

Don't miss our Chef Demonstrations the first and 3rd Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m.  For more information, entertainment schedule and great recipes, click here!

Every year, the last full weekend in September, the Peoria Riverfront becomes a live and in-person art gallery where you can SEE & BUY original artwork and meet the artist. It features 150 artists from 26 states and Canada, live music from local musicians, and a Kids Art Festival that is a destination of its own. Come join us at the 50th Annual Fine Art Fair September 29^th and 30^th.

Daily Admission: $5
All Weekend Admission: $7
12 years and under free.
This is the Peoria Art Guild's major fundraising event of the year. All proceeds benefit the Guild's community outreach and programming.

Cruise along the picturesque Illinois River and relive the adventures of Mark Twain as the sounds of the calliope drift through the valley.

Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the boat’s tall fluted stacks and gigantic candy-apple red paddlewheel churning through the water. It’s great entertainment for all ages. Trip includes Captain’s Commentary. Gift shop and concessions are available. No reservations required.

These cruises are an hour and a half-long. They begin and end at the riverfront dock in downtown Peoria.

For more information, visit www.spiritofpeoria.com