Summer Camp, Grammy winners and more: Here are 12 fun things to do in Peoria in May

As Summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, big concerts, fundraisers and other gatherings will be happening in Peoria.

Here are 15 things to do in the Peoria area during May.

1. Summer Camp presents Solshine Reverie

Summer Camp will present the Solshine Reverie music festival from Friday, May 24, through Sunday, May 26, at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe. The weekend event will include a variety of performances across multiple stages, expansive campgrounds, late-night shows, live art and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.solshinereverie.com.

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2. Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents 'Spring Virtuosi'

The Peoria Symphony Orchestra will present "Spring Virtuosi" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. This last concert of the season will feature Maestro George Stelluto and guest Cellist Richard Hirschl, and will include pieces from Edward Elgar, Antonín Dvorák and Johannes Brahms. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

3. Brick Fest Live

Over a million LEGO bricks will be on display and ready for play when Brick Fest Live takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at the Peoria Civic Center. Attendees can see life-size models, help build a Guinness World-Record setting floor mosaic, express their creativity at the hands-on build zones, race their brick-built cars down the 35-foot-long derby ramps, shop hard-to-find LEGO merchandise, build walls of LEGO mosaics, enter the Glow Zone and build with bricks that shine under blacklight, meet LEGO Masters from the hit TV show and play in a Brick Pit with hundreds of thousands of LEGO bricks. General admission is $19.99 and VIP admission is $34.99.

4. An evening of comedy with Brad Williams

Renowned stand-up comedian Brad Williams will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The show will also feature special guest, J.B. Ball. Tickets start at $29.50 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

5. Peoria Zoo fundraiser

Zootini, a martini-tasting fundraiser for the Peoria Zoo, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Peoria Zoo. A variety of martinis will be served by local mixologists at this outdoor, after-hours event in the Africa exhibit. Tickets are $115 per person and include four drink tickets, appetizers, dessert and live music. VIP tickets are available for $150 and include the opportunity to sample a selection of martinis from 5 to 6 p.m., before the regular event begins. To purchase tickets, visit www.peoriazoo.org.

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6. Violent Femmes in concert

Alternative rockers the Violent Femmes will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The band will perform their 1983 self-titled debut album and their 1984 album "Hallowed Ground" in their entirety. Tickets start at $29.50 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

7. 12th annual Mom Prom

The 12 Annual Mom Prom, hosted by the Inspired Foundation, will take place on Saturday, May 11, at the Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino in East Peoria. World-renowned Cher impersonator, Miss Candi Stratton will headline the evening. The event will be emceed by local legend and beloved drag queen, Miss Flo No Mo’ and DeCevia Mann as Mariah Carey. Guests will be treated to dinner and dancing, as well as cash prizes, silent auction and an inspiring message from the founder, Michelle Bohm. Tickets can be purchased online at inspiredfoundation.net/momprom.

8. Peoria Heights Fine Art Fair

Come to the Heights from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 12, to support the arts, the region’s many professional artists and locally owned shops and restaurants. Artists’ tents will line Prospect Road between Glen and Kelly avenues, which will be closed for this free event.

9. More Than Pink Walk 2024

The 2024 Komen Peoria More Than Pink Walk will take place Saturday, May 11, at the Metro Centre, 4700 N. University St. The site will open at 6:30 a.m. and the opening ceremony will kick off the walk at 8 a.m. The event will help raise funds to increase awareness of and fight to end cancer. For more information and to register, visit www.komen.org.

10. Comedy at the Waterhouse

Stand-up comedian Tim Cavanagh will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, May 10, at The Waterhouse, 316 SW Washington St. Cavanagh is a regular guest on "The Bob & Tom Show" and has released several albums of original comedy songs. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.waterhousepeoria.com.

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11. Whiskey Myers in concert

Country and American/Folk band Whiskey Myers will perform at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 10, at the Peoria Civic Center Arena. The concert will also feature special guests Lukas Nelson + POTR and Reid Naughton. Tickets start at $39.50 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

12. Lauren Daigle in concert

Two-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle will bring The Kaleidoscope Tour to the Peoria Civic Center Arena at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9. Tickets start at $29.50 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

13. Peoria German-American Society’s Maifest

The Peoria German-American Society’s annual Maifest will be held Sunday, May 5, at the Lindenhof, 7601 N. Harker Drive, from noon to 6 pm. Admission to the event is free. Attendees will enjoy German foods, German wines and beer. The bar will be open until 8 p.m. This is a family-friendly event for all ages. Entertainment throughout the day will include Alphorns, accordion music and more.

14. PAW Patrol Live!

Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group will present PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” an action-packed, music-filled production based on the top-rated animated preschool series at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

15. Peoria Players presents 'Big Fish'

Peoria Players will present its run of the fantasy musical "Big Fish" with performances at 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. May 3-4 and May 9-11 and 2 p.m. May 5 and May 12, 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: Peoria things to do: 15 events happening around the area in May 2024