February may be the shortest month of the year, but the calendar is packed with a wide variety of events and experiences to enjoy in central Illinois.
Here are 17 things to do in the Peoria area during February.
1. Joe Bonamassa in concert
Blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa will take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center. Tickets start at $43.80 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
2. Spring Home Show
The Official Spring Home Show, central Illinois’ largest consumer home show, will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at the Peoria Civic Center Convention Center. See all the newest trends in home construction, home remodeling and home improvement. For more information, visit www.OfficialHomeShow.com.
3. Central Illinois Ballet’s ‘Mixed (e)Motion’
Central Illinois Ballet will present their “Mixed (e)Motion” show at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the ballet’s black box theater, 5201 W. War Memorial Drive. Tickets are available at www.ciballet.com.
4. Dream Center Soup & Soul 2026
Dream Center Peoria’s Soup & Soul 2026 will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at 714 Hamilton Blvd. Attendee can sample some of the most delicious soups, desserts and bread available from local restaurants while helping raise funds for the center’s unhoused guests and students. Tickets are $10 per person, and more information is available at www.dreamcenterpeoria.org/soupandsoul.
5. Symphony orchestra presents ‘Carmen’s Kiss’
The Peoria Symphony Orchestra will present “Carmen’s Kiss” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center. The concert will feature music from the classical opera “Carmen.” Tickets start at $41.60 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
6. Central Illinois FRIENDS presents Mardi Gras 2026
Central Illinois FRIENDS invites you to experience the magic of Mardi Gras at a special event being held at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Four Points by Sheraton, 500 Hamilton Blvd. Come dressed in your most colorful attire, don your masks and enjoy an unforgettable evening of vibrant colors, amazing music and fantastic company. For more information, visit www.centralillinoisfriends.org.
7. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live
The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire show will bring fans’ favorite trucks to life at 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Peoria Civic Center Arena. The show will also feature a high-flying Motocross team, a car crushing robot dinosaur and more. Tickets start at $17.75 for children ages 2-12 and $36.75 for adults. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
8. Winter Jam 2026
The Winter Jam 2026 Tour, Christian music’s biggest tour, will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Peoria Civic Center Arena. The concert will feature performances by Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, Katy Nichole, Disciple, Hulvey, Emerson Day, Newsong and speaker Zane Black. General admission tickets are $15 at the door.
9. Broadway in Peoria presents ‘Les Miserables’
The Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria 2026 season will continue with performances of Tony award-winning musical “Les Miserables” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10-13, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center. Tickets start at $49 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
10. Experience the music of ‘Stardew Valley’
The musical journey of “Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons” will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center. A 35-piece orchestra will perform the most memorable music from the hit video game as a screen above the stage plays gameplay footage. Tickets start at $64.05 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
11. Winter Riverfront Market
The annual Winter Peoria Riverfront Market will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Riverplex, 600 NE Water St. The market will feature local products including baked goods, honey, coffee, cheesecake, soup mixes and more. There will be a great mix of local artists, crafters and food. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.visitdowntownpeoria.com.
12. 38 Special in concert
Classic rockers 38 Special will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center. Tickets start at $63.75 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
13. Easterseals Black & Blue Ball
Easterseals Central Illinois’ 21st annual Black & Blue Ball will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the Peoria Civic Center. This fundraiser, supporting the kids and families of Easterseals, will feature heavy appetizers, a selection of beverages, live and silent auctions and entertainment from DJs Matt Bahan and Brian from Z92.3. Tickets are $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of ten. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.easterseals.com/ci.
14. Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show
The 2026 Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, and Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Peoria Civic Center Convention Center. The show will feature the newest trucks, trailers, engines, parts, accessories, communication and computer equipment, tires, lubricants, services and more. For more information, visit www.midwesttruckers.com.
15. Ghost in concert
Grammy Award-winning Swedish rock band Ghost will bring its “Skeletour World Tour 2026” concert experience to the Peoria Civic Center Arena at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5. Tickets start at $67.60 and are available at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
16. Peoria Players presents ‘Young Frankenstein’
Peoria Players continues its run of “Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5-7, and 2 p.m. Feb. 8, at the theater, 4300 N. University St. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.peoriaplayers.org.
17. Groundhog Day at Wildlife Prairie Park
Celebrate Groundhog Day from 6 to 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at Wildlife Prairie Park, 3826 N. Taylor Road, Hanna City. Dress up, bring signs and cheer on Gertie the Groundhog as she makes her official weather prognostication. Enjoy an early morning of entertainment, a scavenger hunt and a craft at Visitor’s Center. For more information, visit www.wildlifeprairiepark.org.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 17 things to do in Peoria in February: Big concerts, musicals and more
Reporting by Josh Jenke, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
