16 things to do in Peoria in October: Comedy, concerts, fundraisers, spooky fun and more

As we enter fall in central Illinois, the calendar is packed with plenty of big musical acts, world-class comedy, spooky fun and more.

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

1. An evening of comedy with Gabriel Iglesias

Gabriel Iglesias, one of the world's most successful stand-up comedians, will bring his "Don't Worry, Be Fluffy Tour" to the Peoria Civic Center Arena at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28. Tickets start at $66 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

2. 'Long Island Medium' live show

Best-selling author and star of TLC's "Long Island Medium," Theresa Caputo, will present her "The Experience" live show at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Theresa will share personal stories about her life and provide comfort to audience members through healing messages from their deceased loved ones. Tickets start at $49 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

3. Peoria Players annual 'Rocky Horror' experience

The Peoria Players Theatre will present their annual interactive showings of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at midnight on Friday, Oct. 27, and 7:30 p.m. and midnight on Saturday, Oct. 28. Audience members are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters and bring props to engage with film. For tickets and more information, visit www.peoriaplayers.org.

4. Pink Floyd tribute show

Pink Floyd tribute band Floyd Nation will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The show will feature all of your favorite hits from the vast collection of Pink Floyd albums, along with an accompaniment of lights and lasers. Tickets start at $39 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

5. Derek Hough live dance show

Emmy winner and six-time Dancing With the Stars Champion, Derek Hough, will bring his Symphony of Dance live show to the Peoria Civic Center Theater at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. The show will feature styles ranging from ballroom and tap to salsa and hip-hop and everything in between. Tickets start at $40 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

6. Black Violin in concert

The Black Violin Experience Tour, featuring Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The performance will feature a musical fusion of classical sounds and hip-hop beats. Tickets start at $33 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

7. Grand Kiev Ballet presents 'Swan Lake'

The dancers of the Ukrainian National Opera and Ballet Theater will present the ballet masterpiece, "Swan Lake," at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Tickets start at $39 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

8. ABBA tribute experience

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute will present a recreation of one of ABBA’s most memorable concerts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The concert will include all of the uplifting songs from the iconic Swedish band, with fantastic costumes, staging, lighting and effects. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

9. Walk for Wishes fundraiser

Walk for Wishes, a fundraising event benefiting Make-A-Wish Illinois, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at Keller Station, 6035 N. Knoxville Ave. The event will include food, entertainment and family-friendly activities. For more information and to register for the walk, visit www.wish.org/illinois.

10. Symphony Orchestra Viennese Gala

The Peoria Symphony Orchestra will present its first concert of the season, Viennese Gala, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The concert will also feature Maestro George Stelluto and guest artist Robert Chen, Chicago Symphony Orchestra‘s Concertmaster. Tickets start at $29 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

11. Wildlife Prairie Park gets spooky

Wildlife Prairie Park will be transformed into "Wildlife Scary Park" on the evenings of Oct. 13-15, Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-29. The event will feature entertainment, food and drinks, trick-or-treating, haunted train rides and more. For tickets and more information, visit www.wildlifeprairiepark.org.

12. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Gala

The Greater Peoria Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host its 2nd Annual Gala from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. For tickets and more information, visit www.peoriahispanicchamber.com.

13. Saddle Up for Neighborhood House

Neighborhood House Peoria's 7th annual Saddle Up fundraiser will be held from 5:30 tp 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at Par-A-Dice Hotel, 21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria. Dust the dirt off your cowboy boots and put on your favorite western attire for a fun-filled evening featuring cocktails, alcohol tastings, silent and live auctions and more. For tickets and more information, visit www.nhpeoria.org.

14. Paws-toberfest fundraiser

Paws-toberfest, the annual 4K run/3K walk benefitting Paws Giving Independence, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Junction City Shopping Center. This year's event will also feature the options of virtual walking and a biking 5K/10K. For more information and to register, visit www.givingindependence.org.

15. Rooftop fashion show in Peoria Heights

Peoria Fashion Week Productions will present a Rooftop Runway Fashion Show at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at 12 Bar Lounge, 4500 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights. Models will showcase a variety of fashions on the rooftop runway against the backdrop of the Peoria skyline. For more information, visit www.thepeoriafashionweek.com.

16. Peoria Players presents 'Jekyll & Hyde'

Peoria Players will present its run of "Jekyll & Hyde," based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson and featuring a score of pop rock hits from Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse, from Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 12-15 at the theater, 4300 N. University St. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.peoriaplayers.org.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Things to do in Peoria in October 2023: Big shows and spooky fun