PLANET PASSPORT SERIES
Join our planet passport series! Each month, come to the planetarium for a show focused on one planet or place in space. Shows will be included in museum admission, and free for museum members. Non-Members can purchase admission to the museum or a planetarium show ticket to attend. These shows are great for all ages.
New for 2026: Participants should sign up for a Peoria Riverfront Museum Achievement Passport.
For each planet show you attend, you will earn a stamp in your passport and 25 points. Every three stamps you earn, you will gain a little extra prize! At the end of the year, we will host a telescope observing night to celebrate all we have learned. Everyone who participated in the planet passport program will be invited.
Shows will be on the second Thursday (5:30 PM) and second Saturday (10:30 AM) of each month. Each show will be about 45 minutes in length.
Planet Passport Series - Cycle Three!
March 12 (5:30 PM) and 14 (10:30 AM) – Mercury
April 9 (5:30 PM) and 11 (10:30 AM) – Venus
May 9 (10:30 AM) and 14 (5:30 PM) – Earth and Moon
June 11 (5:30 PM) and 13 (10:30 AM) – Mars
July 9 (5:30 PM) and 11 (10:30 AM) – Ceres and the Asteroid Belt
August 8 (10:30 AM) and 13 (5:30 PM) – Jupiter
September 10 (5:30 PM) and 12 (10:30 AM) – Saturn
October 8 (5:30 PM) and 10 (10:30 AM) – Uranus
November 12 (5:30 PM) and 14 (10:30 AM) – Neptune
December 10 (5:30 PM) 12 (10:30 AM) – Pluto and Kuiper Belt
Join us for a special member exclusive tour through the first exhibition in our suite of exhibitions celebrating America's 250th anniversary: Joyful Resistance.
This tour will be lead by author and historian A'Lelia Bundles, who generously loaned objects from her ancestor, A'Lelia Walker, the daughter of famed haircare mogul Madam C.J. Walker to Joyful Resistance.
Joyful Resistance is the largest and most significant grouping of Black art in the museum's history, and has recently undergone a refresh with new objects and artworks to tell the full story of Black art, culture, and impact on the American story.
Get tickets for the tour HERE
Members are also free to visit all museum galleries. Light refreshments will be available starting at 12:30 p.m.
Members enjoy sneak peeks and special perks, every second Saturday of the month!
Not a member? Join on our website today,
get details at the ticket counter, or call (309) 686-7000.
Member Saturday sponsored by Visionary Society
Sunday, August 9, 2026 | 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Museum-wide
Thanks to the generous support of Art Bridges Foundation, every second Sunday at the Peoria Riverfront Museum is FREE to the public!
Join us Sunday, August 9, 2026 from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. as we celebrate Access for All day at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, featuring special guest, biographer and direct descendent of both Madam C.J. Walker and A'lelia Walker, A'Lelia Bundles.
Bundles will be sharing her new book, Joy Goddess: A'Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance, as well as a tour of Joyful Resistance, which holds objects from her ancestor, A'Lelia Walker's life.
This Access for All day at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, enjoy a special weekend themed to current exhibition Joyful Resistance with tours, crafts, and a special conversation with Thames in the Giant Screen Theater.SCHEDULE
Museum Conversations: A'Lelia Bundles | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. | 100 pointsJoin us for a book talk by A’Lelia Bundles for Joy Goddess: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance.
ACTIVITIES | 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
CREATE Fashionista Paper Dolls | Lobby | 25 points
Create your own Paper Doll inspired by the fashions displayed in Joyful Resistance.
Pet Rock vs Mr. Potato Head | Lobby | 25 Points
Create a pet rock OR Mr. Potato Head in conjunction with current exhibition TOYTOPIA.
PARTY like a millionaire | Lobby | 50 Points
Work with Peoria Public Library to build your dream celebration ...but on a budget! Small prizes for working your imagination!
EXPLORE TOYTOPIA | Gallery | 25 Points
With a photo scavenger hunt, explore current exhibition TOYTOPIA. Collect 25 points at the Ticket Desk.
TOURS | Tours start outside of the designated gallery.
The Promise of Liberty
| 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. | 100 Points
Join gallery guides in The Promise of Liberty for a spotlight tour of the gallery.
Joyful Resistance with special guest A'Lelia Bundles | 2:30 p.m. | 100 points Join great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker for a tour of Joyful Resistance.
DOME PLANETARIUM | Each Dome Planetarium show is worth 10 Points.
Learn more about the museum's Achievement Passport, and how to earn points HERE
Re-member, members get double points! Earn 100 points and receive a FREE prize!
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation's Access for All program
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Discussion at 6 p.m., Reception and Book Signing at 7 p.m.
Peoria, Illinois has a long history of producing incredible entertainers, but perhaps none so famous as comedian and cinematic legend Richard Pryor. Now, celebrating his legacy, the Peoria Riverfront Museum is honored to welcome his daughter, Dr. Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor for a conversation on her father, her new book, and her own lived experience as a Black Jewish woman in academia.
In this visit, Dr. Pryor will be signing and discussing her new book: Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me. Copies will be available for purchase in the museum store or available as part of your ticket purchase.
Dr. Pryor will also be sharing further in a Museum Conversation moderated by Strictly Hip-Hop's Marc Supreme. She will sit down to discuss not only her father's work and enduring legacy, as well as his history in Peoria, but also her own work. Currently a professor of history at Smith College, Dr. Pryor teaches courses on race and slavery, and in addition to her newest work, is the award-winning author of the article "The Etymology of [N-Word]: Resistance, Language and the Politics of Freedom in the Antebellum North," as well as the 2016 book Colored Travelers: Mobility and the Fight for Citizenship Before the Civil War.
Tickets
Non Member Adult (No Book): $10 | Member Adult (No Book): $5
Non-Member Adult (With Book): $35 | Member Adult (With Book): $27
Youth (No Book): $5 | Member Youth attend free of charge
Get tickets HERE
Joyful Resistance sponsored by Art Bridges Foundation, Ron and Carrie Givens and Family, Darlene Violet, Sharlyn Munns, America 250 supporters, Visionary Society, Illinois Arts Council, Friends of Bronzeville to Harlem
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at the Peoria Riverfront Museum!
This full symphony orchestra will be playing true-blue American music against the beautiful riverfront setting.
Get tickets HERE
See a 1776 broadside of the Declaration of Independence, the same that our ancestors would have seen in the earliest days of our nation on exhibition in The Promise of Liberty .
Sponsored by America 250 donors, Visionary Society, Friends of Performance
Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. | SOLD OUT!
Newly Added: Friday Shows!
Friday, August 14, 2026 at 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
See the debut of Phoebe Bridgers' latest album before it goes live worldwide!
Ahead of its worldwide release on August 14th via Dead Oceans, Lost Weekend will debut in full inside planetariums around the globe.
Shows will last approximately one hour, and will be phone free.
Tickets
Non-Member Adult: $20 | Member Adult: $15
Get tickets HERE
For nearly five decades, Laser Fantasy has been captivating audiences in planetariums across America, combining artistic creativity with cutting-edge laser technology to transform domes into vibrant, concert-like environments.
Experience Lost Weekend for the first time in an immersive light spectacular from Laser Fantasy. This custom show fills the dome with dazzling animations, kaleidoscopic abstract imagery, and immersive aerial beam effects that surround you in light. Paired with each planetarium's powerful surround sound system, the experience creates a stunning fusion of music and visuals that you can see, hear, and feel.
This will be a phone and camera free event.
Please note:
Presented in partnership with Spotify.
Laser Light Nights are back at the DOME featuring an all new experience!
Sit back, relax and rock out with our new laser light system from "the worldwide leader in planetarium laser light shows," Laser Fantasy! Experience the full 3D excitement! The system features a graphics laser projector with special effects, a haze machine & a new beam projector, plus a fresh playlist of 20+ performances, from Beyoncé to The Beatles! Pick up show-enhancing spectrum glasses and refreshments at concessions!
SHOW SCHEDULE
$5 Visionary Society Members | $7 Members | $10 Public
Buy tickets online now
click here.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone at 309.686.7000.
(Note: These shows contain lyrics to popular songs and some may not be suitable for all ages.)
August 27 | 9:30-11:15 PM | On the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Sun Plaza
Join other sky enthusiasts in watching the Moon turn a deep red-orange color as it slips into the Earth’s shadow. Astronomy educators Renae and Nick will be on hand to answer questions, share information about the Moon and the eclipse, and share views of the Moon through our telescope.
Come and go as you please in this open house style event. The museum’s concessions stand will be open until 10 PM and the lobby will be open for restroom access until the event concludes.
PLANET PASSPORT SERIES
Join our planet passport series! Each month, come to the planetarium for a show focused on one planet or place in space. Shows will be included in museum admission, and free for museum members. Non-Members can purchase admission to the museum or a planetarium show ticket to attend. These shows are great for all ages.
New for 2026: Participants should sign up for a Peoria Riverfront Museum Achievement Passport.
For each planet show you attend, you will earn a stamp in your passport and 25 points. Every three stamps you earn, you will gain a little extra prize! At the end of the year, we will host a telescope observing night to celebrate all we have learned. Everyone who participated in the planet passport program will be invited.
Shows will be on the second Thursday (5:30 PM) and second Saturday (10:30 AM) of each month. Each show will be about 45 minutes in length.
Planet Passport Series - Cycle Three!
March 12 (5:30 PM) and 14 (10:30 AM) – Mercury
April 9 (5:30 PM) and 11 (10:30 AM) – Venus
May 9 (10:30 AM) and 14 (5:30 PM) – Earth and Moon
June 11 (5:30 PM) and 13 (10:30 AM) – Mars
July 9 (5:30 PM) and 11 (10:30 AM) – Ceres and the Asteroid Belt
August 8 (10:30 AM) and 13 (5:30 PM) – Jupiter
September 10 (5:30 PM) and 12 (10:30 AM) – Saturn
October 8 (5:30 PM) and 10 (10:30 AM) – Uranus
November 12 (5:30 PM) and 14 (10:30 AM) – Neptune
December 10 (5:30 PM) 12 (10:30 AM) – Pluto and Kuiper Belt
Sit back, relax and rock out with our new laser light system from "the worldwide leader in planetarium laser light shows," Laser Fantasy! Experience the full 3D excitement! The system features a graphics laser projector with special effects, a haze machine & a new beam projector, plus a fresh playlist of 20+ performances, from Beyoncé to The Beatles! Pick up show-enhancing spectrum glasses and refreshments at concessions!
SHOW SCHEDULE
September 26
6:00 – That 80’s Laser Show
7:15 – Laser Aerosmith
8:30 – Laser Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Led
$5 Visionary Society Members | $7 Members | $10 Public
Buy tickets online now - Click on the date to purchase tickets.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone at 309.686.7000.
(Note: These shows contain lyrics to popular songs and some may not be suitable for all ages.)
