5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
In the Peoria Riverfront Museum Main Lobby
Opera from around the globe! Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum as we welcome Dr. Miracle Amah for an operatic performance that shows an incredible cross-cultural range.
A native of Nigeria, Miracle Amah is a librettist and a soprano presently based in the United States. She performs various genres of music which includes opera, art songs, oratorios, popular music, contemporary music, negro spirituals, jazz music etc. Dr. Amah has played major roles in several opera productions. Her staged performances include recitals, masterclasses, scenes and full opera productions in Nigeria, Canada, Russia, Germany, Dubai and the United States.
Presently, Dr. Amah serves as an assistant professor at Peoria's own Bradley University.
Member ticket: $30
Non-Member ticket: $35
Get tickets HERE
Thank you to our sponsors:
Linda Beth & Ed Sutkowski and Visionary Society
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.
Sign up here to get email reminders about this cycle of Planet Passport.
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
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 2:30 p.m.
In this special program celebrating opening weekend of TOYTOPIA , join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for a conversation with Chris Byrne. Author, independent toy analyst, researcher and consultant, Chris has over 35 years of industry experience, and will be presenting on toys that changed the world.
Enjoy this Museum Conversation followed by a Q&A led by the curator of science and director of the dome planetarium Renae Kerrigan.
Museum admission is included in the ticket price.
Tickets:
Adult: $20 | Member Adult: $15
Senior: $18 | Member Senior: $15
Child: $18 | Member Child: $10
Get tickets HERE
Did you know that the Slinky was created by a naval engineer? Or that Play-Doh was originally made as a wallpaper cleaner? Play had always been found in the strangest of places. In this Museum Conversation, toy expert and historian Chris Byrne will explore toys throughout history and their impact they have with children and adults alike. Imagination allows us to see possibility, and from there, we take the actions to make those things real, whether it’s building a fort out of tables and blankets or solving a complicated engineering problem. Play is also how we locate ourselves within our culture, and essentially become who we are.
TOYTOPIA supported by PNC, Ruby K. Worner Charitable Trust, OSF Healthcare Children's Hospital of Illinois, America 250 donors, Visionary Society, Family Fun Club
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Tour of TOYTOPIA at 5:30 p.m. | Movie screens at 6:30 p.m.
Experience the magic of childhood again with a special Movie Mixer at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, showing Big on the largest Film Society screen in the nation!
Join us for a special night at the museum perfect for all ages, featuring a screening of Big and a tour through current exhibition TOYTOPIA .
TOYTOPIA has a giant floor piano and a Zoltar machine both on exhibition, two toys famously featured in the film. Immerse yourself in the world of one of Tom Hanks' most famous roles, and become a kid again as you play through history, and learn the art, science, and history behind American toys.
Chris Byrne, author, independent toy analyst and kid at heart will kick off the film talking about Tom Hanks' wish to be Big, while Chris wishes to remain little.
Tickets:
Adult: $12.50 | Member Adult: $8.50
Senior: $10.50 | Member Senior: $7.50
Child: $9.50 | Member Child: $6.50
Get tickets HERE
Sponsored by Visionary Society, Film Society
Join us for special member exclusive tour through new exhibition TOYTOPIA with author and independent toy analyst Chris Byrne!
Schedule:
Doors open | 10 a.m.
Coffee and donuts in the museum lobby | 10:30 a.m.
Tour of TOYTOPIA with Chris Byrne | 11 a.m. | GET TICKETS HERE
Members get free popcorn at concessions while they visit.
Join us for a Member Saturday full of family fun! We invite you to bring your imagination and take this opportunity to experience the history of American toys in TOYTOPIA!
A special member exclusive tour will be led by author, independent toy analyst and kid at heart Chris Byrne, our special guest for opening weekend.
Members are also free to visit all museum galleries.
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
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 6 p.m.
Art Bridges CEO Anne Kraybill is coming to the Peoria Riverfront Museum, marking her first visit to Peoria, Illinois since she was appointed to her position in 2024.
Alice Walton’s Art Bridges Foundation has become the leading national partner of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, bringing extraordinary works of American art to Peoria through landmark exhibitions like American Revolutionaries: Art and Disruption, FRESH: New Directions in Contemporary Art, and current exhibition, Exquisite Creatures.
Now, experience the impact of that partnership up close. Join us for a special conversation with Anne Kraybill, CEO of Art Bridges, as she explores the power of expanding access to the arts, shares the vision behind Art Bridges’ mission, and reflects on why the Peoria Riverfront Museum has grown into one of their most dynamic collaborations. From earning the inaugural Bridgemaker Prize in 2025 to launching community-centered initiatives like Access for All free days, this partnership has opened new doors for audiences across Peoria to connect with world-class art in meaningful ways.
Kraybill is a respected leader in the national arts and cultural landscape, known for her deep commitment to the idea that art can enrich lives and strengthen communities. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the driving forces behind a movement to make art more accessible, and to gain fresh insight into how museums can serve and inspire their communities.
Tickets:
Adult: $15 | Member Adult: $10
Visionary Society members attend free of charge!
Get tickets HERE
Sponsored by Visionary Society, America 250 donors, Illinois Arts Council
SENIOR FREE DAY
SENIOR MORNING PROGRAM
Third Wednesday of Each Month
10:00 a.m. Coffee and Pastries | 10:30 a.m. Discussion
Please be aware, museum doors will not be unlocked until 9:45 a.m.!
Gilmore Auditorium
COME FOR THE MORNING, STAY FOR THE DAY!
Please join us for Senior Day on the third Wednesday of each month where members and seniors 60+ can enjoy all exhibitions and daytime planetarium shows for free.
Schedule:
May 20, 2026
Back again, the Peoria Area Senior Citizen Band of 30+ musicians will perform in the lobby of the Peoria Riverfront Museum!
Reserve your free ticket HERE
June 17, 2026
Come learn about the summer blockbuster exhibition Toytopia with Nate Downs, local pop-culture and history enthusiasts.
July 15, 2026
The Promise of Liberty covers over 250 years of history! Come explore this exhibition with a presentation with the curators that put it together!
August 19, 2025
Museum IT manager Jason Frank will host a "Technology Q+A"! Jason will answer your burning questions about technology in your life. Please submit questions to Sadie Helmick via email (shelmick@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org) to give him time to prepare.
September 16, 2026
The museum exhibition We Remember: 9/11 Twenty-Fifth Anniversary explores the dark day of September 11, 2001. Come and listen to a live Zoom presentation with a museum educator from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
October 21, 2026
Based on the museum case exhibitions upstairs, come learn about Peoria Sports Legends with writer and historian Kirk Wessler.
November 18, 2026
For the final Senior Morning presentation of 2026, join us for a presentation on the America 250 exhibition “Transportation Revolution” with Curator of Science and Director of the Dom Planetarium Renae Kerrigan.
NOTE: Registration is not necessary but groups are encouraged to call ahead so that we will be prepared. Senior groups, please contact Assistant Director of Education, Sadie Helmick, 309-863-3016
Sponsored by AARP, Peoria Falcon Circle, Visionary Society
Wine and Cheese Under the Stars
Artemis
Friday, May 22 | 7-9 PM
Dome Planetarium
Enjoy an evening out in the planetarium. Planetarium Director Renae Kerrigan will be sharing highlights from the historic Artemis II flight around the Moon, and answering your questions. Learn future plans for the Artemis program and the latest news from space. Your evening will also include a tour of the night sky, and a flight to the edge of space and back.
Each ticket includes up to three pours of wine or other beverages, and an individual charcuterie box.
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.
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
May 23
6:00 – Laser K Pop Demon Hunters (all music from the hit movie!)
7:15 – Laser K Pop Demon Hunters (all music from the hit movie!)
8:30 – Laser Taylor Swift
June 12
6:00 – That 80’s Laser Show
7:15 – That 90’s Laser Show
8:30 – Laser Prince
$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.)
Thursday, May 28 and October 8, 2026 | Doors Open at 6 p.m., Performance at 7 p.m.
Get down and boogie with us!
Join us on the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Sun Plaza for a summer music series inspired by Preston Jackson's Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story . This series event will take place on two Thursdays this season, one in May and one in October, featuring a great group of artists from the Chicago area as well as regional and local musicians performing with Preston Jackson himself.
Ticket prices
Members- $15
Non-Members- $20
Ticket price includes admission to Preston Jackson's Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story.
Schedule of events
May 28, 2026 | Lowdown Brass Band
Get tickets HERE
Lowdown Brass Band is a Chicago-based all-horn ensemble that blends hip hop, soul, and reggae with traditional New Orleans brass. They are known for their high-energy performances that combine street beat rhythms with jazz, creating a modern, genre-bending, brassy night of entertainment.
October 8, 2026 | Preston Jackson and Friends
Get tickets HERE
Preston Jackson (lead guitar) gathers with long-time collaborators John Miller (bass), Mike Nellas (bass/keyboards), Manny Lopez II (trumpet), Manny Lopez III (percussion) and the one and only Judy Page on vocals for a jazzy, bluesy close to the season. This iconic Peoria-based band plays the classic standards we all know and love. Not to be missed!
Sponsored by Linda Beth and Ed Sutkowski, Visionary Society, Friends of Bronzeville to Harlem and Friends of Performance
Thursday, June 4, 2026 - Sunday, June 7, 2026
Disney classics are back in the Giant Screen Theater!
American Animation: Art on Screen brings to life decades of Disney, with special activities that are fun for the whole family! Experience classic Disney films, shorts, and documentaries on the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Giant Screen Theater, the largest Film Society screen in America.
Renowned Disney author and historian J.B. Kaufman will join us for fascinating pre-film talks and post-film Q&As as well as book signings after select films. Mr. Kaufman is a film historian and author who specializes in Disney animation history and silent films. His books include The Fairest One of All, Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic, and Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse.
New this year!
Introducing Marcy Carriker Smothers and the Walt Disney Hometown Museum of Marceline, MO.
Marcy Carriker Smothers is a foodie, a lover of all things Disney, and an author of several books on the happiest place on earth, including Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food and Walt's Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney.
The Walt Disney Hometown Museum was established in 2001 to help celebrate the 100th Birthday of Marceline’s favorite son, Walter Elias Disney. The original museum was built on the personal collection of Ruth Disney Beecher, Walt’s sister. Ruth maintained a close relationship with her brothers Walt and Roy, and knew the admiration they all shared toward their hometown.
Programming Schedule:
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Friday, June 5, 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Get a special all-day pass, Saturday only!
This pass earns you access to all American Animation: Art on Screen events on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Tickets to individual programs can be purchased below.
Sunday, June 7, 2026
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
American Animation: Art on Screen is sponsored by Visionary Society, Friends of Art, and Illinois Arts Council
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.
Sign up here to get email reminders about this cycle of Planet Passport.
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
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
June 12
6:00 – That 80’s Laser Show
7:15 – That 90’s Laser Show
8:30 – Laser Prince
$5 Visionary Society Members | $7 Members | $10 Public
Buy tickets online now
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.)
Yoga Under the Stars
Join us for a one-of-a-kind yoga experience beneath the stars at the Dome Planetarium. This guided flow will invite you to slow down, ground deeply, and reconnect to yourself as we welcome summer. Under the glow of the night sky, we’ll move through intentional poses that restore balance, release tension, and create space for renewal as we step into a new season. Whether you’re a regular on the mat or brand new to yoga, this evening offers a peaceful reset, a moment to breathe, reflect, and realign beneath the celestial canopy.
This session will be led by Tammy Mitchell.
Participants are asked to bring their own mats.
Each session will be an hour and 15 minutes long.
Summer Solstice - June 20
Doors open at 5:45, Event starts at 6 PM
$20 Members | $25 Public
All sessions are an hour and 15 minutes in length.
Limited mats are available, please bring a mat and a light blanket. Doors open at 5:45 pm. All supplies provided for programs unless otherwise noted. All paid programs require a minimum number of participants to run or will be cancelled two business days prior to the start date. Pre-registration required.
