The Peoria riverfront is offering a wide variety of things to do this summer. Mark your calendar for the following events, which range from art and music festivals to culture, food and more.
Steamboat Classic pre-party and race
Central Illinois’ premier running experience, the Steamboat Classic, will be held Saturday, June 6, on the streets of Downtown Peoria. The event includes both a 4-mile course, ranked among the world’s fastest, and a 15K, considered Illinois’ toughest 15K. For more information and to register, visit www.steamboatclassic.com. A pre-race party will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 5, on the Peoria riverfront and will include a concert featuring Backseat Radio and DJ Birds of Paradise at 4:30 p.m. at CEFCU Center Stage. For tickets and more information, visit www.peoriapark.org
Revel in Red in concert
Central Illinois rockers Revel in Red will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 12, at CEFCU Center Stage. The performance will include iconic classic rock anthems and modern rock favorites. The show will also feature special guests Emperors & Angels. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance at www.peoriaparks.org or $15 at the gate.
Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrate freedom, unity and Peoria’s rich Black history at Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 19, on the riverfront. This free event will include entertainment, food trucks, family fun and a Juneteenth-themed drone show to close the evening. A full schedule of events will be available soon at www.peoriaparks.org.
Tom Petty tribute experience
Free Fallin-The Tom Petty Concert Experience will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at CEFCU Center Stage. The show will features all the hits and includes instruments and clothes that re-create the authentic experience of a Tom Petty concert. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance at www.peoriaparks.org or $20 at the gate.
Buckcherry in concert
The Peoria Park District and 105.7 The X welcome hard rock favorites Buckcherry to the CEFCU Center Stage at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 28. The show will also feature opening act Cole Hollow. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $29 in advance at www.peoriaparks.org or $34 at the gate. Children ages 6 and under are free with a paying adult.
Jimmy Buffett tribute beach party
Parrots of the Caribbean, the ultimate salute to Jimmy Buffett, will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at CEFCU Center Stage. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance at www.peoriaparks.org or $20 at the gate.
A tribute to Chris Stapleton
Tennessee Whiskey-A Tribute to Chris Stapleton will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, July 3, at CEFCU Center Stage. The show will also feature special guests Taylor Bruninga & the Bandits. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance at www.peoriaparks.org or $20 at the gate.
Red, White and Boom 2026
Peoria’s largest Independence Day celebration, Red, White and Boom, will take place on Saturday, July 4, on the riverfront. The fireworks show will begin around 9:30 p.m. More information will be available at www.peoriaparks.org closer to the event.
An evening of Funk
Dexter O’Neal and the Funkyard will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, July 10, at CEFCU Center Stage. The concert will feature plenty of legendary funk, soul and R&B classics. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance at www.peoriaparks.org or $20 at the gate.
River City Pride Fest
River City Pride Fest 2026, presented by Peoria Proud, will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at Riverfront Festival Park in Downtown Peoria. The event will include creative performances, delicious food, art installations and inspiring community outreach. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.peoriaproud.org.
Fiesta en el Rio
Fiesta en el Rio, a music festival that celebrates Hispanic and Latino culture, will be held from 4 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Riverfront Festival Park in Downtown Peoria. The event will include authentic Latin American food and drink, a children’s area, entertaining and upbeat bands, salsa dancing lessons and much more. For tickets and more information, visit https://peoriaparks.org/events/festivals/fiesta-en-el-rio/.
Monsters of Yacht in concert
Monsters of Yacht, America’s premier tribute to the Yacht Rock genre, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, July 31, at CEFCU Center Stage. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $17 in advance at www.peoriaparks.org or $25 at the gate.
River City Soul Fest
The Peoria Park District’s River City Soul Fest and Gospel Fest will celebrate its 27th year August 7-8 at RiverFront 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.
India Fest
The Peoria Park District and the Indo-American Society will present India Fest on Saturday, August 15, at the CEFCU Center Stage. 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. For more information, visit peoriaparks.org/events/festivals/india-fest.
Decade of Decadence in concert
Decade of Decadence, the ultimate ’80s rock party, will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at CEFCU Center Stage. Gates open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance at www.peoriaparks.org or $12 at the gate.
Peoria Irish Fest
The annual Peoria Irish Fest will be August 28-30 on the riverfront. Get ready to enjoy Celtic culture galore through music, dancing, Highland Games, exhibits, interactive sessions, culture, music, food, storytelling, dance and more. For more information, visit peoriairishfest.com.
Oktoberfest in Peoria
Oktoberfest will be Sept. 18-20 at Riverfront Park. Enjoy authentic German cuisine and drinks, listen to polka music and more. More information will be available soon at www.oktoberfestpeoria.com.
Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair
The 64th annual Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair will be Sept. 26-27 on the riverfront. As one of the oldest art organizations in the country, the art fair is nationally recognized and showcases national, regional and local artists. The Art Fair features original works of art will include jewelry, painting, ceramics, photography, digital art and so much more. This is the Peoria Art Guild’s major fundraising event of the year. All proceeds benefit the Art Guild’s community outreach and programming. For more information, visit https://www.peoriaartguild.org/fine-art-fair-event-info.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Your guide to 2026 summer events on the Peoria riverfront
Reporting by Josh Jenke, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
