Before you commit to a neighborhood, spend an afternoon in it. That is the advice I give every relocating buyer, and fall is the easiest time of year to take it: harvest festivals, the last of the Halloween lineup, tree lightings, and neighborhood block traditions are all happening in the next eight weeks across Peoria and Central Illinois. Here is the current list of upcoming events, re-verified on October 22, 2026, with dates and locations as published by local organizers. The October 17 events from the earlier edition, the Red Sneakers 5K, the Out of the Darkness Greater Peoria Walk, the city's Trash-or-Treat morning, and the Averyville Baptist Church fall festival, have now passed, and the October 20 Tauren Wells concert at the Civic Center has also come and gone, so this edition looks ahead to the rest of October and the confirmed holiday season: downtown Peoria's Halloween week, from the Peoria Police Department's family trunk-or-treat at headquarters on Friday, October 23 to the city's official trick-or-treat hours on October 31, the Warehouse District's own Block-tober Fest on Saturday, October 24, the Santa Claus Parade stepping off at 9:15 AM on Friday, November 27 with its anniversary theme, Yule Like Peoria in the Warehouse District later that same day, the two-day Christmas in the Village at the riverfront museum, the Kris Kringle Market, Chillicothe's Nikolausmarkt, Bloomington's Festival of Trees and the new Peoria Festival of Trees at Grand Prairie, Luthy Lights in Glen Oak Park, both area Nutcracker productions, the Yuletide Market in Bloomington, First Night Peoria, and the concert and theater dates on the Civic Center's calendar.
A quick note before the list: event dates and times are set by their organizers and can shift, so check the event's own listing before you head out. Where a recurring city event has not yet published its exact 2026 date, this list says so plainly rather than guessing.
October 2026
The Great Pumpkin at Luthy Botanical Garden
October 9 through November 1, 2026
Luthy Botanical Garden, Peoria
The chrysanthemum show and Great Pumpkin display bring late-season color to Luthy Botanical Garden, a relaxed walkable outing in the middle of the city's park system.
RLC Harvest in Goshen Festival
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 3 PM
West Peoria (1521 N. Park Rd.)
RLC's annual fall gathering in West Peoria, a volunteer-driven community afternoon close to the city.
Rhythm in the Forest
Sunday, October 25, 2026, 3 PM
Forest Park Nature Center, Peoria
Outdoor music in the woods at one of Peoria's favorite nature preserves, a relaxed fall afternoon for all ages.
BLOCKTOBERFEST in the Warehouse District
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 11 AM to 9 PM
Warehouse Historic District, Adams Street by Dozer Park, Peoria
The Warehouse District's own block party, hosted by Baldovin Development Group on Adams Street next to Dozer Park: live music and a DJ, food, and local vendor booths among the converted brick storefronts. The best single day this fall to see the riverfront redevelopment up close, and a natural stop for anyone weighing a loft or a new apartment in the district.
Peoria Park District Halloween programs
October 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30, 2026
Peoria Zoo, Proctor Recreation Center & Sommer Farm, Peoria
The park district's family-friendly Halloween lineup runs across the zoo, Proctor Recreation Center, and Sommer Farm in the last ten days of October, a low-cost way to meet neighbors in every part of town.
Greater Peoria YMCA Trunk or Treat
Friday, October 23, 2026, 5-6:30 PM
Greater Peoria YMCA
A free, family-friendly trunk-or-treat night with games, a trunk-decorating contest, and a costume contest for the metro's youngest ghosts and goblins.
Peoria Police 'A Night of Magic and Mischief'
Friday, October 23, 2026, 5-7 PM
Peoria Police Headquarters, 600 SW Adams St, Peoria
The Peoria Police Department's family Halloween party at headquarters downtown, one of three free city events across the holiday week and a fun stop right at the edge of the Warehouse District.
Not So Scary Indoor Halloween Trick or Treat Walk
Friday, October 23, 2026, 4 PM
803 W Pioneer Pkwy, Peoria
An indoor trick-or-treat walk for little ones ahead of the weekend, a warm alternative as the weather turns.
Trick-or-treat hours across Peoria
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Citywide, Peoria
Peoria officials have confirmed the city's official trick-or-treat hours for Halloween night, a useful planning date for families new to the area.
Trunk or Treat at Hy-Vee
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10 AM
Hy-Vee, 7610 N Orange Prairie Rd, Peoria
A morning trunk-or-treat at the north Peoria grocery store, an easy stop for families shopping the Grand Prairie corridor.
Screaming Pumpkin Marathon & Race
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Springdale Cemetery, Peoria
An evening run and walk through the historic cemetery, with distances for every level, a Peoria Halloween tradition that supports a local foundation.
Halloween Monster Bash at Peoria Sports Complex
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 5-9 PM
Peoria Sports Complex
The Peoria Park District's family Halloween party with games, trunk-or-treating, and low-cost fun for kids of all ages, a safe early-evening stop for families in the days before Halloween.
Trunk or Treat at Riverside
Sunday, October 25, 2026, 4 PM
207 NE Monroe St, Peoria
A downtown-adjacent trunk-or-treat stop, a good excuse to see the riverfront corridor before the holidays.
Fall Festival Trunk-or-Treat
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 6-8:30 PM
LDS Church, Peoria
A free fall festival with trunk-or-treating midweek, one of several community-run Halloween nights across the metro.
Rhythm on the River
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 6 PM
200 NE Water St, Peoria
An evening music and community gathering along the riverfront as October winds down, a relaxed way to catch downtown Peoria before the holidays.
Wildlife Scary Park
October weekends through the season
Wildlife Prairie Park, Hanna City
The park's 40th anniversary Halloween season: a kid-friendly giant trick-or-treat trail, hayrack rides, and the haunted train, about 20 minutes west of Peoria.
Christ Orchard
Open Mondays through Saturdays through the season
Elmwood, west of Peoria
Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins at a family orchard about a half hour west of the city, a classic fall outing that also lets relocating families scout the farm-country towns around Peoria.
November and December 2026
Holiday Open House at So Chic
November 1, 2026
Morton
A holiday open house at the Morton boutique as the season kicks off, an early look at holiday shopping in one of the metro's fastest-growing suburbs.
Christmas Open House at The Picker's Daughter
November 1, 2026
East Peoria
A Christmas open house at the long-running antique and home decor shop on the east side, a cozy way to start the holiday season along the river.
HOPEful Holiday Finds Christmas Boutique
November 1-2, 2026
Pekin
A community Christmas boutique in Pekin, a short drive south on the river and a good reason to see another of the towns Teri serves.
Kringle at Keller Station
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Keller Station, 6035 N Knoxville Ave, Peoria
A one-day holiday market and experience with Santa at the north Peoria development, an early-season stop that pairs holiday shopping with a look at one of the metro's newer commercial and residential corridors.
Tanners Orchard Christmas Open House
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Tanners Orchard, Speer, IL
The orchard's Jeep Show Christmas Open House kicks off the holiday season north of Peoria, a family outing that also gives relocating buyers a feel for the farm-country towns around the metro.
Peoria Symphony Orchestra: Dazzling Stars
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 7:30 PM
Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria
The symphony opens its season with Haydn, Beethoven's Second Piano Concerto, and Mozart's 'Jupiter' Symphony, a warm indoor evening as the weather turns.
3rd Peoria Bookfest 2026
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10 AM
FFC's Life Together Center, Peoria
A community book festival for readers of all ages, a free family-friendly way to spend a late-fall Saturday.
Christmas Around the World Dinner Theatre
Saturday, November 14, 2026
The Barn IIIi, Goodfield
A Central Illinois holiday tradition in Woodford County, dinner theater in the heart of the farm country Teri serves.
Jon Pardi: Gamblin' Man Tour
Friday, November 13, 2026, 7 PM
Peoria Civic Center Arena
The country headliner brings the Gamblin' Man Tour to the downtown arena with openers Alexandra Kay and Sadie Bass, a big-date concert on the riverfront in the middle of the season.
East Peoria Festival of Lights Parade
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 6:30 PM
East Peoria
The 42nd annual Parade of Lights kicks off the season on the east side, free with a shuttle from the Levee District, followed by Folepi's Winter Wonderland and the rest of the Festival of Lights season running into early January.
Yule Like Peoria
Friday, November 27, 2026, after the Santa Claus Parade, historically 3-6 PM
Warehouse District, Peoria
The downtown holiday kickoff in the historic Warehouse District on the day after Thanksgiving: tree lighting at Kelleher's Irish Pub, refreshments, crafts, and Santa among the converted brick storefronts, a free celebration that runs right after the Santa Claus Parade rolls through downtown. A great evening to see the district's new storefronts lit up for the holidays.
Santa Claus Parade, Downtown Peoria
Friday, November 27, 2026, 9:15 AM
Downtown Peoria
The 139th annual parade with the theme 'A Holiday Tradition for the Ages,' billed as the longest-running Santa Claus parade in the country, with 100-plus decorated floats rolling through downtown and the Warehouse District celebration to follow. A free downtown kickoff to the holiday season.
Jingle & Mingle
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 5:30 PM
Holiday Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie
A holiday networking and shopping kickoff in the Grand Prairie corridor, where many of Peoria's retail and newer homes sit.
Brunch & Bubbly
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 9:30 AM
Holiday Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie
A late-morning gathering to kick off holiday shopping season in the Grand Prairie corridor, where many of Peoria's retail and new-construction homes sit.
Folepi's Winter Wonderland
Opens Friday, November 27, 2026, nightly through Sunday, January 3, 2027
East Peoria
The drive-through holiday lights tradition on the east side, a family favorite that runs through the holidays and draws visitors from across Central Illinois. The 2026 season dates are confirmed by the City of East Peoria.
Hobnob Holiday Market
Friday and Saturday, November 6-7, 2026
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield
A holiday market with local makers, vintage, and handmade vendors at the State Fairgrounds, a day-trip from Peoria and a chance to see another Central Illinois town decked out for the season.
Illinois Comic Con
Saturday and Sunday, November 14-15, 2026
Peoria Civic Center Convention Center
A weekend of comics, collectibles, and pop culture in downtown Peoria, a warm indoor stop for fans of all ages as the weather turns.
Third Day, Chris Tomlin & TobyMac
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 7 PM
Peoria Civic Center
An evening of contemporary Christian music from three headline acts on the downtown riverfront, one of the Civic Center's biggest fall concerts.
Greater Peoria Farm Show
Tuesday and Wednesday, December 1-2, 2026
Peoria Civic Center Convention Center
The region's annual farm and agribusiness expo on the downtown riverfront, a gathering that anchors the December calendar for the farm country around Peoria.
Central Illinois Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Friday through Sunday, December 4-6, 2026
ICC Performing Arts Center, East Peoria
The company's full-length Nutcracker at the Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center in East Peoria, a family tradition across the river and a warm indoor weekend as the season peaks.
Peoria Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Saturday and Sunday, December 12-13, 2026
Prairie Home Alliance Theater, Peoria Civic Center
The classic holiday ballet, a family tradition on the downtown riverfront and a warm indoor afternoon as the year winds down. Two Nutcracker productions, two weekends: Central Illinois Ballet on the east side in early December, Peoria Ballet downtown mid-month.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage
Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 7 PM
Prairie Home Alliance Theater, Peoria Civic Center
The beloved holiday special brought to the stage, a warm family night out in the middle of the season.
Holiday Makers Market at Three Sisters Park
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Three Sisters Park, Chillicothe
A holiday makers market with local artisans and vendors at the fairgrounds park, an easy fall drive up Route 29 from Peoria and a good way to see the Chillicothe area.
Mistletoe Market in Morton
Saturday, November 14, 2026
111 W Washington Street, Morton
A holiday market in the village center of one of Peoria County's fastest-growing suburbs, a good way to scout the town while you shop.
Beardstown Christkindlmarkt
Fridays and Saturdays, November 20 through December 19, 2026
Downtown Beardstown
A German-style Christmas market on the Illinois River, about an hour southwest of Peoria, with seasonal food, gifts, and lights through the holiday season.
Poinsettia Show at Luthy Botanical Garden
Opens late November, runs through December
Luthy Botanical Garden, Peoria
The garden's annual poinsettia display, a warm indoor stop as the weather turns and a favorite of the Peoria Park District's holiday season.
Luthy Lights at Glen Oak Park
Opens Friday, November 27, 2026, 5-9 PM; select evenings through December
Luthy Botanical Garden, Glen Oak Park, Peoria
The Peoria Park District's annual holiday light walk through the garden, opening the night after Thanksgiving with the full December evening schedule set by the district. A warm, walkable way to see the north side lit up for the season.
Illinois Local Holiday Market, Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Across Illinois
Small Business Saturday and the state's local holiday market day, a good reason to spend the weekend in downtown Peoria and the Warehouse District and meet the people running the shops.
The Baby Fold's Festival of Trees
Thursday through Saturday, November 19-21, 2026
Interstate Center, Bloomington
Central Illinois's premier holiday kickoff: decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread creations, and a vendor market, about an hour's drive southeast of Peoria and worth the trip for a full holiday afternoon.
Peoria Festival of Trees
Thursday through Saturday, November 19-21, 2026
Holiday Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie
A community tree festival in the Grand Prairie corridor with designer-decorated trees on display, a warm indoor stop in the middle of the season and right next to much of Peoria's newer housing.
3rd Sunday Market and Holiday Show
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 8 AM to 4 PM
Interstate Center, Bloomington
A large Central Illinois maker market with holiday crafts and vendors, about an hour's drive southeast of Peoria on a late-fall Sunday.
Yuletide Market
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 AM
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, Bloomington
A holiday maker market of local crafts and gifts at the performing arts center downtown, an easy day-trip from Peoria and one more decorated Central Illinois downtown to see.
Nikolausmarkt in Chillicothe
Friday and Saturday, November 20-21, 2026
City Park, Chillicothe
A German-inspired holiday market with artisan vendors in chalets, seasonal food, carriage rides, and live music, an easy drive up Route 29 from Peoria and a good way to see the Chillicothe river town.
Kris Kringle Market in Peoria Heights
Friday through Sunday, November 27-29, 2026; tree lighting 6:00 PM Friday
Tower Park, Peoria Heights
A free, family-friendly holiday market with local vendors, holiday huts, letters to Santa, a wishing tree, and photos with Santa, with the tree lighting on opening night. A short drive up Prospect Road from downtown Peoria.
Peoria Holiday Comic and Toy Show
Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8, 2026
Northwoods Mall, Peoria
A collector-focused comic and toy show at Northwoods Mall on the north side, a fun indoor stop for families and a good reason to see the Grand Prairie corridor while the weather turns.
Christmas in the Village
Friday and Saturday, December 4-5, 2026
Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria
The holiday market with the area's largest live Christmas tree, Santa, local vendors, food trucks, carriage rides, and festive food and drink on the downtown riverfront, confirmed by the organizers as a two-day event this year.
Elmwood Christmas Walk
December 2026
Central Park, Elmwood
Carriage rides, carolers, and Santa at Elmwood's Central Park, a small-town holiday evening about a half hour northwest of Peoria, and a warm way to meet the farm-country communities Teri serves.
Christmas on Court in Pekin
December 2026
Court Street, Pekin
Holiday shopping, pop-up markets, and a community Christmas tree on Court Street in Pekin, a short drive south on the river and another of the towns in Teri's service area dressed up for the season.
First Night Peoria
Thursday, December 31, 2026
Downtown Peoria
The family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration downtown, with performances and an early kids' countdown, a warm way to end the year on the riverfront and see downtown at its most festive.
Homebuyer education and housing help, while you are out and about
If your fall events list is part of a move, three resources are worth knowing about. The Affordable Housing Centers of Peoria Area (AHCOPA) run free, live, four-hour First-Time Homebuyer Workshops most Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM, usually online with a monthly Spanish-language session, covering financial readiness, mortgage qualification, credit, budgeting, and down payment assistance. A Spanish-language session is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, and November and December dates are posted on AHCOPA's workshop page as they are confirmed. The Illinois Housing Development Authority requires pre-purchase homebuyer education for its programs and offers free and low-cost sessions across Illinois, which is where IHDA down payment assistance starts, and Habitat for Humanity Greater Peoria Area runs a home ownership program out of Peoria (309-676-6729) for families working toward their first home. Book a workshop early: Illinois down payment assistance programs often require the class before the offer goes in.
The market is quieting into its fall rhythm, and with it comes a practical upside for you: smaller crowds at showings, sellers more willing to talk terms before the holidays, and evenings out in these neighborhoods to see where you actually want to put down roots.
Want to turn any of these weekends into a house hunt? Call or text me at 309-361-4592, or send a note through the contact page. I can pull the current listings near any event you are headed to, so your afternoon doubles as reconnaissance for your move.