15 fun things to do in Peoria in September: Seinfeld Live, festivals, fundraisers and more
As summer ends and fall begins in Central Illinois, the calendar is packed with special events and popular annual festivals.
Here are 15 things to do in the Peoria area in the month of September.
1. NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet
The Peoria NAACP will hold its 61st Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Conference Center. The evening will begin with Social Hour at 5 p.m., followed by the Program Commencement at 6 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Roland Martin. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased at www.peorianaacp.com.
2. Peoria Promise fundraiser
The Event, a fundraiser benefiting the Peoria Promise Foundation, will be held Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom. Doors open and cocktails and hors d'oeuvres begin at 6 p.m. and dinner service, recognitions, presentations, raffles and art auction begin at 7 p.m. Back to the Bee Gees will perform at 8 p.m. Groovy disco attire is encouraged. Tickets are $225 per person and can be purchased at www.peoriapromise.org.
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3. Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair
The Peoria Art Guild will hold its 2023 Fine Art Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at Riverfront Festival Park, 200 NE Water St. This is the guild's major fundraising event of the year and all proceeds benefit community outreach and programming. Admission is $8 per person each day and free for members and children ages 12 and under.
4. Zoobrew at the Peoria Zoo
"Zoobrew, Wines and Spirits Too!" will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Peoria Zoo. Sample a variety of beer and wine selected by local vendors as you explore the "Africa!" section of the zoo. This event includes appetizers, dessert and live music by The Matt Eckberg Band. Tickets are $85 per person, with VIP add-ons available for an additional $20. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.peoriaparks.org.
5. 311 in concert
Veteran alternative rockers 311 will bring their mix of rock, rap, reggae and funk to the Peoria Civic Center at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20. The concert will also feature special guests AWOLNATION and Blame My Youth. Tickets start at $40 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
6. Woofstock 2023 in Edwards
Bring your lawn chair and your pooch to enjoy live entertainment at Woofstock 2023. The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at Sommer Park, 6329 N. Koerner Road, Edwards. A $20 admission includes one person and one dog (children ages 12 and under admitted free). A $40 admission includes one person and one dog and includes one T-shirt. All dogs must wear rabies tag, be on a non-retractable leash, have current vaccinations, socialize well, be at least 6 months of age and not be in heat. For more information, visit www.samsrescue.org.
7. Oktoberfest on the Peoria Riverfront
The German American Central Society and the Peoria Park District are sponsoring the 27th annual Peoria Oktoberfest on Sept. 15-17 to promote German culture and heritage of central Illinois. The events will be held at Peoria Riverfront Festival Park, 200 NE Water Street. For a full schedule of events and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.OktoberfestPeoria.com.
8. An evening of comedy with Seinfeld
Award-winning stand-up comedian and television and movie star Jerry Seinfeld will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Tickets start at $55 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
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9. 2023 Morton Pumpkin Festival
The 2023 Morton Pumpkin Festival will be held Sept. 13-16 at various locations throughout Morton. This year's theme is "Farmin' Pumpkins" and the event will include a large assortment of pumpkin-flavored foods, carnival rides, live entertainment and more. For a full schedule of events and more information, visit www.mortonpumpkinfestival.com.
10. Big Picture Peoria street festival
The Big Picture 2023 interactive arts festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, the 1300 block of SW Adams in Peoria’s Warehouse District. Attendees can participate in mural painting, kids’ art activities, pottery firing, and chalk art competitions. The event will also include food trucks, live music, and dancing. Admission is a pay-what-you-can donation.
11. Annual cat show at Expo Gardens
The American Gothic Annual Cat Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Exposition Gardens, 1601 Northmoor Road. Come see over 100 purebred and household pet cats compete for top cat in different judging rings throughout the day. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and children ages 5-12 and free for children ages 4 and under.
12. 2023 Pekin Marigold Festival
The Pekin Marigold Festival will be held from Sept. 7-10 at Mineral Springs Park in Pekin. This year's theme is "Marigolds on the Menu" and the event will include a carnival, parade, festival foods, live entertainment and more. For a full schedule of events and more information, visit https://pekinchamber.com/pekin-marigold-festival.
13. Peoria Heights 125th Anniversary
The Village of Peoria Heights will be celebrating its quasquicentennial with a variety of activities being held from Sept. 7-9. Taste of the Heights will be held from 5 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, along Prospect Road, and will feature local food establishments from the Peoria area, each providing an appetizer, entrée and dessert, along a signature cocktail from select establishments. For more information and a schedule of other events, visit peoriaheightschamber.com/125.
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14. Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard's annual Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, at the vineyard, 33633 Illinois Route 9, Mackinaw. There will be two large stomping bins and participants can stomp alone or with a partner. Wine flights will be available all day and live music will be presented by the Mystery Machine. Attendees can also come dressed as Lucille Ball and participate in a Lucy look-alike contest. Admission is $5 per person and free for children ages 12 and under.
15. Blues & Heritage Music Festival
The 33rd annual Peoria Blues & Heritage Music Festival will be held Friday, Sept. 1, and Saturday, Sept. 2, at Peoria Riverfront Festival Park. This end-of-summer event will include a world-class lineup of artists from blues, roots, funk, soul and everything in between. For a full schedule of performances and to purchase tickets, visit www.PBHFest.com.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Things to do in Peoria in September 2023: Seinfeld and festivals
