16 fun things to do in Peoria in August: Big concerts, diverse festivals and more

As Summer comes to a close in central Illinois, there are still plenty of big concerts and festivals to check out.

Here are 16 things to do in the Peoria area in the month of August.

1. Led Zeppelin tribute

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Jason Bonham, son of original Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, along with his band, will perform a variety of the classic rock band's hits. Tickets start at $52 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

2. Peoria Irish Fest

Formerly known as Erin Feis, Peoria Irish Fest will be held Friday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 27, on the Peoria riverfront. The festival will be open from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and will include Irish music, food, storytelling, dance and more. Admission is $10 per day or $25 for a weekend pass in advance or $15 per day or $30 for a weekend pass at the gate. Tickets can be purchased online at www.peoriairishfest.com.

3. Dunlap Days festival

The annual Dunlap Days festival will take place Thursday, Aug. 24, through Saturday, Aug. 26, at North Park in Dunlap. The event will include carnival rides, games, live entertainment, food, drinks and more. For a full schedule of events, visit the Dunlap Days Facebook event page.

4. Happy Together tour

Hits of the 1960s and 1970s will be performed during the Happy Together 2023 tour at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Musical hosts for the evening will be The Turtles, along with Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, Classics IV and The Cowsills. Tickets start at $48.50 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

5. Monica and Case in concert

Grammy award-winning R&B singer and actress Monica will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Peoria Civic Center. The concert will feature special guest Case. Tickets start at $60 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

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6. India Fest on the Riverfront

The Peoria Park District and the Indo-American Society will present India Fest on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the CEFCU Center Stage on the Peoria riverfront. Enjoy authentic Indian cuisine served by local Indian restaurants. The event will also include Bollywood-style entertainment, arts and crafts, rangoli, yoga demonstrations, Bollywood dance lessons and much more. The event will begin at 4 p.m. and admission is $12 for adults, $9 for children ages 7-18 and free for children ages 6 and under.

7. Concert in Lakeview Park

The Peoria Park District and 99.9 WWCT are teaming up for their third annual Concert in the Park being held at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, in Lakeview Park, 1125 W. Lake Ave. This year’s concert will feature The Lone Bellow, with special guests, Devon Gilfillian and Briston Maroney. Tickets are $22 in advance or $30 at the gate. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.peoriaparks.org.

8. Pat Benatar in concert

Singer-songwriter Pat Benatar and producer-musician Neil Giraldo will present their "Funtastic 2023" tour at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Tickets start at $43 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

9. Wizard of Oz festival

Hollis Park will present the 13th annual Illinois Wizard of Oz Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Butler Haynes Park in Mapleton. Festivities include meet and greets with all your favorite Oz characters, trolley rides and story time with Auntie Em, live entertainment, contests, children's activities, a vendor market and more. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children age 3-12 and free for children ages 2 and under.

10. Ignite Peoria 2023

Ignite Peoria, presented by ArtsPartners, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Peoria Civic Center. This one-of-a-kind festival boasts over 65 hands-on creation station booths where attendees can learn about singing, writing, dancing, building, acting, painting, drawing, coding, 3D printing, robotics and more. Admission is free.

11. An Evening with Frankie Valli

The legendary Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

12. Mudvayne in concert

Heavy metal rockers Mudvayne will present their "The Psychotherapy Sessions" tour at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Peoria Civic Center. The concert will also feature special guests, Coal Chamber, Gwar, Nonpoint and Butcher Babies. Tickets start at $39.50 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

13. RuPaul's Drag Race tour

RuPaul's Drag Race Werq the World Tour will be presented at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The world’s largest drag production will feature Asia O'Hara, Daya Betty, Kandy Muse, Lady Camden, Rosé, Naomi Smalls and select season 15 finalists. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

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14. German Society Bratfest

The Peoria German-American Society Harmonie Club will present Bratfest, a traditional German picnic, from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, at Hickory Grove Park, 12403 Hickory Grove Road, Dunlap. The event will feature Keith Zweifel and his band from Wisconsin performing a wide range of music from polkas to rock 'n' roll. Other special activities include a Muscle Car, Hot Rod and Customized Motorcycle Cruis’n, a playground for the kids, a shooting tent and a German gift tent. Plenty of traditional German food will also be available for purchase. Admission is free.

15. River City Soul Fest

The Peoria Park District's River City Soul Fest will be held Saturday, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 6, at RiverFront Festival Park, 200 NE Water St. The event will be open from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday and will feature performances by legendary R&B singer Joe, Frankie Parker & The Gentlemen, Sumn Else, DJ Captain and Mike Alexander. Sunday will be the Gospel Fest, featuring several local gospel groups, and will begin at 3:30 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.soulfestpeoria.com.

16. Cinderella's Tom Keifer in concert

Singer-songwriter, guitarist and frontman of hard rock band Cinderella, Tom Keifer, will bring his band's "Live Loud Tour" to the Peoria Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. The concert will also feature special guests, Winger and former Motley Crue singer John Corabi. Tickets start at $46 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Things to do in Peoria in August 2023: Concerts and festivals