August is full of activities. Here are seven events you might want to check out in the Peoria area this weekend.
River City Soul Fest
The Peoria Park District’s River City Soul Fest and Gospel Fest will celebrate its 27th year Friday, Aug. 7, and Saturday, Aug. 8, at Festival Park, 200 NE Water St. The event feature a lineup of both acclaimed and local artists performing a variety of R&B, soul and gospel music. For tickets and more information, visit www.soulfestpeoria.com.
Tracy Lawrence in concert
Country music superstar Tracy Lawrence will bring his “No Alibis Tour” to the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 7. Tickets start at $58 and can be purchased online at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.
2026 Illinois Oz Festival
The Illinois Wizard of Oz Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Butler Haynes Park, 9424 S. Mapleton Road, Mapleton. The event will include character encounters, live entertainment, contests, activities, vendors and more. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors ages 65 and older, $3 for children ages 3-12 and free for children ages 2 and under. For more information, visit https://www.hollispark.org/oz-fest.
Ignite Peoria 2026
Ignite Peoria, presented by ArtsPartners, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Peoria Civic Center. This one-of-a-kind festival boasts several 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.
Pickle Peoria 2026
Enjoy two full days of pickle-themed festivities at Pickle Peoria 2026 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie, 5201 W. War Memorial Drive. The event will feature plenty of market vendors with pickle-themed items and food truck with pickle-flavored eats and treats. For a full list of vendors and other activities, visit www.shoppesatgrandprairie.com.
Italian Society Festa
The Italian American Society’s 95th Festa Picnic will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at Hickory Grove Park, 12403 N. Hickory Grove Road, Dunlap. The picnic will include authentic Italian food and desserts, Italian and domestic beer and wines, Italian T-shirts and gift items, live music, children’s activities, local artisans, a bocce tournament and more. For more information, visit www.italianamericansociety.com.
TCRC benefit concert
TCRC, which supports area people with disabilities through 25 programs and services, is hosting its first music event, “Amplify the Mission,” from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at Oz’z Bar & Grill, 216 Marquette St., Creve Coeur. The event will feature several popular local rock and country bands and acoustic acts, food and drinks, raffle baskets and more. Admission is $10 per person. For more information, visit www.tcrcorg.com.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Soul Fest, Ignite Peoria and more: 7 things to do in Peoria this weekend
Reporting by Josh Jenke, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Josh Jenke, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
