East Peoria Festival of Lights 2024-2025 in Midwest

The East Peoria Festival of Lights is a cherished local tradition that begins with the Parade of Lights in mid-November. This spectacular event features a fantastic drive-thru experience with floats entirely crafted from lights, accompanied by live entertainment and fun activities. The festival continues to dazzle visitors with its festive displays from late November through to New Year's Eve.

Parade of Lights (November 23, 2024)

The Festival of Lights' annual Parade of Lights is a spectacular event featuring 40 floats adorned with bright, colorful LED lights. Highlights include a 70-foot-long float of the famous Clydesdale horse team pulling a delivery wagon, a 95-foot-long smoke-spewing Chinese dragon, a Chopper motorcycle, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and The Duck and Ducklings. Additionally, the parade showcases a 160-foot-long Steam Engine Train and the USS East Peoria from Star Trek, which is making a return after three years.

The parade begins at 6 pm at the intersection of East Washington Street and Dolans Lane, near Auto Zone, and travels approximately two miles, concluding at Taylor Street and Springfield Road, at the U.S. Post Office.

Folepi's Winter Wonderland (November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025)

The drive-through electric park is the Festival of Lights’ signature event, featuring the enchanting Folepi’s Winter Wonderland. This dazzling display showcases many of the Parade of Lights floats alongside a variety of other lighted attractions, including a Candy Cane Factory, lighted arches and circus animals, a ski jumper display, Prehistoric Land, Space Land, and a Western town, among others. The drive-through experience typically takes about 30 minutes, and the entrance to Winter Wonderland is located off Springfield Road on Par 3 Lane.

Special Event Nights

Visitors can also enjoy special event nights from Monday through Wednesday. On Chick-fil-A Monday, guests receive free breakfast and dessert coupons. Letters to Santa Tuesday allows children to drop off their letters to Santa himself. Elevate Trampoline Park Wednesdays offer coupons for trampoline jumping. For an added touch of magic, consider reserving a ride through Folepi's Winter Wonderland on the Folepi Express Horse-drawn Wagon.

Other Events

The Festival of Lights features a beloved mascot, a wooden soldier named Folepi, whose name translates to "Festival of Lights." Among the event's highlights are the Festival of Lights Queen Pageant and Breakfast and Photos with Santa, where children can enjoy a meal and craft workshop with Santa Claus at EastSide Centre.

FOLEPI River Trail Classic (November 30, 2024)

For those who enjoy a bit of physical activity, the FOLEPI River Trail Classic offers a chance to experience the festival's displays while participating in a race. This event, scheduled for Saturday, includes a 4-mile (6.4-km) competitive race and a 2-mile (3.2-km) non-competitive walk. The annual race, sanctioned by the Illinois Valley Striders, is a grand prix event that attracts runners from across the Midwest.

Tickets & Open Hours

Admission prices for the Festival of Lights are as follows: $10 for regular vehicles such as cars, trucks, and vans; $30 for small buses, including mini, party, shuttle, school buses, RVs, and limousines; and $150 for full-size charter motor coaches. The drive-through display operates from 5 to 9 pm Sunday through Thursday, offering shorter lines during these times. On Fridays and Saturdays, the hours are extended from 5 to 11 pm. Additionally, from December 24 through January 5, the display is open from 5 to 9 pm.