Galesburg Free Day & Night

Media Galesburg Wb Rev

Galesburg Free Day & Night at the Museum

Wed, Mar 28, 10 am to 9 pm

Museum Lobby, Exhibits, Galleries & Planetarium

10 am-9 pm
Free Entry to all Museum exhibits & Dome Planetarium daytime shows for all Knox County residents & Knox College students, faculty & staff (with proper ID*)

5 pm
Meet & Greet with Galesburg Mayor John Pritchard & Museum CEO John Morris 

6:30 pm
Free showing of "America's Musical Journey" 3D on the Giant Screen

Join us! Galesburg/Knox County residents and Knox College faculty, staff & students  Galesburg Day & Night at the Museum!

  • See the live WGIL Galesburg Radio broadcast from the Museum lobby
  • Explore “Celebrate Illinois: 200 Years in the Land of Lincoln ” bicentennial exhibition (which has on display many Galesburg, Carl Sandburg and Knox College artifacts!)
  • Discover history, science, art, and achievement fun in our exhibits & galleries: IHSA interactive, children's Discovery Worlds & more!
  • Sit back, relax, look up and enjoy our Dome Planetarium shows
  • See 5$ Giant Screen Theater educational films + a free showing of “America’s Musical Journey” 3D at 6:30 pm

Sponsored by Galesburg Radio WGIL

Download poster - click here (pdf)

Riverfront Museum is currently showing our state's most comprehensive Illinois bicentennial exhibition. "Celebrate Illinois: 200 Years in the Land of Lincoln" covers all time periods and tells the story through the biographies and historic objects of the major achievers in Illinois history - with a focus on Central Illinois. Visitors can see, among 250 other artifacts, John Deere’s original plow (on loan from the Smithsonian), Galesburg farmer George Brown’s planter (on loan from Western Illinois Museum), a biography of George Washington Gale Ferris. Jr.’s and Ferris Wheel ephemera from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago (Ferris designed the Ferris Wheel to rival the Eiffel Tower!), Carl Sandburg’s hand-written manuscripts & Underground Railroad info (on loan from Knox College).

View rare and one-of-a-kind item such as one of the cufflinks Abraham Lincoln was wearing the night he was assassinated (on loan from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum), the White House desk at which he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation (from Chicago Historical Society), and Mary Todd Lincoln’s rocking chair – from the Lincoln home in Springfield (from National Parks).

Also, see items from Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Thome and 2016 World Series MVP & Cubs star Ben Zobrist - including the batting hat and gloves Zobrist was wearing during his famous 7th game, 10th inning hit that propelled the Cubs to a World Series victory after the longest drought in baseball history (108 years)!

*Only Riverfront Museum members, Galesburg and Knox County residents, and Knox College students, faculty and staff are eligible for free admission March 28. Galesburg/Knox County residents should be prepared to show their driver's license or state ID. Knox College students, faculty and staff may show their Knox College ID.

  • Laser Beyoncé

    (General - Saturday, March 30, 2024)

    Dome Laser Lights Generic Wb (3)

    Laser Beyoncé

    As one of the most awarded and best-selling artists of all time, Beyoncé is acclaimed for her thrilling vocals, videos and live shows. Laser Beyoncé captures the fun and energy of a her concerts and brings it into the dome in beautiful laser light.

    SAT March 30

    5 PM: Laser Beyoncé

    Get tickets here

    Dome Laser Lights Generic Wb (3)
  • Interplanetary 5K Race

    (General - Saturday, March 30, 2024)

    Dome Interplanetary5 K Wb 24 (1)

    Run the Planets!

    Interplanetary 5K Race + 1 Mile Fitness Walk

    March 30, 2024 - Register Now!

    Register by March 1 to guarantee a shirt!
    • A family oriented race/walk for participants of all ages. 5K Race for all ages,  1 Mile Fitness Walk,  1/2 Mile Kids' Fun Run
    • Walk or run through portions of the Central Illinois Community Solar System, the world's most complete large scale model of the Solar System
    • Participants will follow the routes of interplanetary explorers through the Solar System, from the Sun - past Mercury, Venus, and Earth - to Mars and back along the Riverfront Trail
    • It's athletic, it's educational, it's fun... for the whole family!

    LOCATIONS

    Peoria Riverfront Museum (packet pickup), Gateway Building (start & finish Line)

    Course: Entirely flat (no hills) along the Riverfront Trail (from Gateway Building to Detweiller Marina)

    TIMES

    Packet Pickup: Friday, March 29, from 12:30-5:30 PM, and race day starting at 7:30 AM, in the museum's auditorium on the lower level.

    March 30, 2024:
    • 7:30-8:30 am: Race day registration; packet pickup
    • 9 am: 5K Race start
    • 9:05 am: 1 Mile Fitness Walk start
    • 9:30 am: Kids' 1/2 Mile Fun Run start
    • Refreshments after 5K race; awards after the Kids' Fun Run

    Participants can choose to receive a race shirt, or skip it for a discount on registration. Must register by March 1 to guarantee a shirt.

    FEES

    • 5K Race (3.1 miles): $25 ($30 race day), without shirt: $20 ($25 race day)
    • 1 Mile Fitness Walk: $20 ($25 race day), without shirt: $15 ($20 race day)
    • Kids' Fun Run: $15 (includes Terry the Tractor book), without shirt: $10
    • Make checks payable to "Peoria Riverfront Museum"

    REGISTRATION 

    Register here!

    You may also fill out this form and mail it in to register.
    T-Shirt:

    All race participants registered by March 1 have the option to receive a gender specific T-shirt. Participants may also choose not to receive a shirt, for a discounted entry fee.

    PACKET:

    Included in your packet will be a one day pass to the Peoria Riverfront Museum, a sticker showing your out-of-this-world mileage, a t-shirt (if you chose that option), coupons and more!

    FUN RUN:

    Kids will run in a loop, starting from and ending at the Gateway Building. We will have a runner with them. A parent can run with their child at no extra cost. All kids will receive a medal at the end.

    PRIZES:

    Awards to overall male and female winners, and top male and female 5K runners in each age division. Certificates for kids and fitness walkers. All kids will receive their choice of a Terry the Tractor book, signed by the author and race director, Mike Rucker.

    Dome Interplanetary5 K Wb 24 (1)
  • Solar Eclipse Watch Party

    (General - Monday, April 8, 2024)

    Dome Solar Eclipse Party (3)

    Presented by Sun Collectors

    SOLAR ECLIPSE WATCH PARTY | FREE EVENT!

    Monday, April 8 | 12:30-2:30 PM | On the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Sun Plaza

    On Monday, April 8, there will be a total solar eclipse visible in a narrow path across the United States. If you are able to travel, we highly encourage you to make plans as soon as possible to travel to the path of totality. There is no event in nature that compares to the wonder of a total solar eclipse! You can learn more details and see the path on our website here.

    If you will remain in Peoria on April 8, you will be able to view a partial solar eclipse. The Sun will be about 95% eclipsed by the Moon locally. You need to use eclipse shades, special eye protection, to be able to view this event. Eclipse shades are for sale in the Museum store.
    If you are not traveling to totality, watch the partial eclipse with us at the Museum! The eclipse begins at 12:47 PM. The Sun will be at maximum eclipse locally 2:03 PM. We will have a few solar telescopes available, and activities set up on our Sun Plaza. We will be joined by community partners who will also be teaching about the Sun and Moon.

    The Peoria Riverfront Museum's galleries will be open thanks to the generous support of Art Bridges Foundation's Access for All program.

    Please bring your own lawn chair or picnic blanket. Seating will be limited. Food will be available for purchase from the museum's concession stand, as well as local food trucks. 

    Eclipse Glasses will be on sale at the Museum Store for $4! Glasses will NOT be provided for free.

    Reserve your place on our website HERE

    Visionary Society members reserve your place HERE

    Thank you to our community partners who will join us!

    Peoria Art Guild
    Illinois Art Station
    Peoria Public Library
    The Peoria PlayHouse

    The Solar Eclipse Watch Party is presented by Sun Collectors. Additional support from Visionary Society, Planetarium and Science Club

    Dome Solar Eclipse Party (3)
  • Membership Swap Weekend

    (General - From Friday, April 12, 2024 until Sunday, April 14, 2024)

    Membership Swap 2024 Web Banner

    MEMBERSHIP SWAP WEEKEND

    April 12, 2024 - April 14, 2024

    Peoria Riverfront Museum | Peoria Zoo | Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum | Wildlife Prairie Park

    Membership Swap Weekend is April 12, 2024- April 14, 2024!

    If you are a member with the Peoria Riverfront Museum, from April 12, 2024- April 14, 2024 you can enjoy FREE general admission to these awesome Peoria-area attractions: Wildlife Prairie Park, the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, and the Peoria Zoo!

    All you have to do is present your membership card & a photo ID and then go enjoy your weekend!

    Charges may apply for additional experiences.

    Membership Swap 2024 Web Banner
  • Laser Light Night | Lasers of Oz, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd

    (General - Saturday, April 13, 2024)

    Dome Laser Lights Generic Wb (2)

    Laser Light Nights are back at the DOME featuring an all-new 3D experience & fresh playlist!

    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!


    SAT April 13

    6:00 – Lasers of Oz (family friendly, 35 min)
    7:15 – Laser Michael Jackson
    8:30 – Laser Floyd: Welcome to the Machine

    $7 Members | $10 Public

    Buy tickets online 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.)

    Dome Laser Lights Generic Wb (2)
  • Wine & Cheese Under the Stars | A Total Eclipse of the Sun

    (General - Friday, April 26, 2024)

    Dome Wine Cheese Wb

    Wine and Cheese Under the Stars

    A Total Eclipse of the Sun 

    Friday, April 26 | 7-9 PM

    Dome Planetarium
    Spend a night under the stars with delicious food, a variety of wines and a stellar presentation by Planetarium Director Renae Kerrigan. This evening, we look back at the recent Total Solar Eclipse, sharing stunning images, discussing the science of eclipses, and similar phenomenon on other planets. Your evening will also include a tour of the night sky, and a flight to the edge of space and back.
    Each guest receives an individual Canterbury Creations charcuterie box featuring cheeses, fruits, nuts & more; up to three servings of wine; and an entertaining evening under the stars.

    Doors open at 6:50 PM

    The program will be in two parts, allowing time to socialize and refill your wine glass between the shows.

    Ages 21+

    $45 members | $55 public

    Tickets can be purchased here.

    This program is presented by Sun Collectors with additional support from the Visionary Society and the Planetarium and Science Club.

    Dome Wine Cheese Wb
  • Laser Light Nights | Aerosmith, Taylor Swift, Led Zeppelin

    (General - Saturday, May 4, 2024)

    Dome Laser Lights Generic Wb (2)

    Laser Light Nights are back at the DOME featuring an all-new 3D experience & fresh playlist!

    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!


    SAT May 4

    6:00 – Lasers Aerosmith
    7:15 – Laser Taylor Swift
    8:30 – Laser Led Zeppelin: Whole Lotta Led

    $7 Members | $10 Public

    Buy tickets online 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.)

    Dome Laser Lights Generic Wb (2)
  • Laser Light Night: Lasers of Oz, Taylor Swift, Daft Punk

    (General - Saturday, June 8, 2024)

    Dome Laser Lights Generic Wb (2)

    Laser Light Nights are back at the DOME featuring an all-new 3D experience & fresh playlist!

    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!


    SAT June 8 

    6:00 – Lasers of Oz (family friendly, 35 min)
    7:15 – Laser Taylor Swift
    8:30 – Laser Daft Punk

    $7 Members | $10 Public

    Buy tickets online 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.)

    Dome Laser Lights Generic Wb (3)