Presented by Commerce Bank
May 15, 2025 - September 25, 2024 | Thursday Nights | Doors Open at 6 p.m., Performance at 7 p.m.
Join us on the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Sun Plaza for a summer music series featuring local and regional jazz artists, inspired by Preston Jackson's Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story . This series event will take place select Thursdays from May 15, 2025 to September 25, 2025, featuring artists from the Chicago area as well as regional and local musicians. Get down and boogie with us!
Cash bar available. Food available for purchase from WRap City, founded by Branden "Chef B-Doe" Jackson. Menu items will include wraps, mac n' cheese and more!
Ticket prices
Members- $10
Non-Members- $15
Student- $7
Visionary Society-$7
Ticket price includes admission to Preston Jackson's Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story.
Schedule of events
June 26, 2025 | Todd Kelly and the Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra ft. Maggie Sloter
Get tickets HERE
Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra, founded in 1998, is a seventeen-piece big band committed to keeping the ‘big jazz’ sound alive in central Illinois. CIJO is made up of professional and semi-professional musicians from the heart of Illinois that include music educators, business professionals, and full time performers. The group plays classic jazz charts from Count Basie, to Stan Keaton, and from Duke Ellington to Maynard Ferguson. The CIJO is fronted by trumpeter and Bradley University’s Todd Kelly. and at this performance, the vocal stylings of the one and only Maggie Sloter.
July 24, 2025 | Pippi and Daniel Music & the Experience
Get tickets HERE
Pippi Ardennia and Daniel Leahy are composers and recording artists that create intentional, soul-stirring music that ignites self-empowerment and inspires positive change. The will showcase a 9-piece jazz band to perform at this special Rhumboogie on the Plaza in July. Pippi and Daniel are songwriters and performers that have individually been in the Music and Entertainment Business for the majority of their lives. When these two dynamos connected they realized they shared the same vision and purpose for themselves and the planet. Their purpose is to create a legacy of transformational music which can change lives by allowing new perspectives and ideas to entertain the listeners. This powerful and loving couple have set the intention to restore humanity one heart at a time.
August 28, 2025 | Lenard Simpson Quartet
Get tickets HERE
Lenard Simpson is a saxophonist, composer and educator from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Lenard was mostly self-taught through high school, but his natural ability and musicianship earned him accolades such as membership in the esteemed Grammy Camp Jazz Session, and an outstanding soloist award at the Mingus Jazz Competition in New York City. Lenard has had the opportunity to play and travel with artists such as pianist and composer-Billy Childs, Kurt Elling, Marquis Hill, and Clayton Cameron. Lenard received a B.M in Jazz performance at Northern Illinois University. While studying at NIU, Lenard was awarded first place in Chicago’s esteemed Luminarts Jazz Competition. Upon graduation, Lenard moved to Chicago and soon became one of the city’s top call saxophonists playing sideman to legendary local drummers, George Fludas and Charles Heath. Lenard’s trio has appeared at premier clubs and jazz festivals throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee area. Lenard recently graduated from the Thelonious Monk Institute Fellowship, which has since been renamed to the Herbie Hancock Institute where he was selected by a panel of Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, James Newton and Ambrose Akinmusire.
September 25, 2025 | Preston Jackson and Friends | Season Finale!
Get tickets HERE
American painter, sculptor, educator, and musician, Preston Jackson is bringing some of the best of Peoria's jazz scene to the grand finale of Rhumboogie on the Plaza. We’re ending our Rhumboogie 2025 series by highlighting the inspiration of the entire series: Preston Jackson’s Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story. Joined by some of the most experienced musicians in the area, Preston Jackson and Friends performing at the Peoria Riverfront Museum is always a delight. See Preston himself, Judy Page, Mike Nellas, Manny Lopez II, Manny Lopez III and John Miller in the final sendoff of summer, right here at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Rhumboogie on the Plaza is presented by Commerce Bank
Sponsored by Linda Beth and Ed Sutkowski, Visionary Society, Friends of Bronzeville to Harlem and Friends of Performance
FREE with General Admission
Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum and make the most of your visit with tours and storytimes themed around current exhibition The World's Largest Dinosaurs , presented by the Gilmore Foundation.
Earn passport points on each activity. Learn more about the Peoria Riverfront Museums Achievement Passport and how your family can win a trip to New York City today!
Dino-Mite Storytimes | 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. every Thursday and Saturday
A gallery guide will take you into The World's Largest Dinosaurs, presented by the Gilmore Foundation for a short storytime under the amazing, true to life models of the largest dinosaurs to ever walk the earth. After the story, explore the world of Sauropods, the titans of the dinosaur world! Earn 10 achievement passport points per storytime
Dig Deep Dino Tours | 1 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Four special tours through The World's Largest Dinosaurs, presented by the Gilmore Foundation! Completely all four Dig Deep Dino Tours and receive a FREE ticket to our Dino Family Trivia event on August 2, 2025. All Deep Dive Dino Tours are worth 100 achievement passport points.
Tours:
Dino Diet- Learn about what the Sauropods ate to sustain their massive bodies
Dino Giants- Learn why these amazing animals grew to their huge size.
Dino Differences- Learn about the differences between dinosaurs, and what makes a sauropod so special among so many amazing species
Dino Detectives- Ever wonder about how these pieces of history were found? Put on your detective hat and learn more about the Paleontology profession!
Sponsored by Visionary Society and Family Fun Club
Join us for a special Member Saturday event at 1 p.m., featuring the newly dedicated Amethyst Gallery of Minerals. Guests will gather in the lobby for light refreshments before heading into the Amethyst Gallery of Minerals, where, Curator of Science and Dome Planetarium Director, Renae Kerrigan will lead an engaging tour through the exhibit followed by an opportunity to learn more about the sparkling specimens on display and enjoy the opportunity to ask questions and explore with an expert.
Families are encouraged to bring the kids—there will be a scavenger hunt and hands-on mineral-themed activity designed especially for young explorers. It’s a perfect way to experience the museum together and make the most of your membership. Free for members!
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 Sun Collectors, Visionary Society, Planetarium Club
Sunday, July 13, 2025 | 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, July 13, 2025 from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. as we celebrate Access for All day at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
This Access for All day at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, enjoy make and take art activities, planetarium shows, guided tours, and so much more.
Schedule:
Museum-wide Activities: 12 p.m.-3 p.m.
Bradley Chemistry Club: Demos | 1-3 pm | Lobby | 50 points
Have a love for all things science? Come to the Bradley Chem Club table and learn what Dr. Campbell and friends have in store!
Renae Kerrigan: The Amethyst Story | 1 p.m. | Giant Screen Theater | 100 Points
Come learn from Curator of Science and Director of the Dome Planetarium Renae Karrigan about how we got our remarkable Amethyst Tower and more! This lecture will be about 30 minutes.
The Science of Art | 12:30 p.m. | Starting in the Lobby | 100 points
Join Gallery Guide Abbey McComb for a 30-minute tour throughout the museum! Today, we will explore how minerals are used in art.
The Science of Art | 2:30 p.m. | Starting in the Lobby | 100 points
Join Gallery Guide Abbey McComb for a 30-minute tour throughout the museum! Today, we will explore how minerals are used in art.
Planetarium Shows | 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. | In the Dome Planetarium | 10 points
Facepainting by Collin | 12 p.m.- 3 p.m. | Lobby
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.
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!
July 18
6:00 – Symphony of the Stars (Family Fun music from musicals, movies and TV)
7:15 – Laser ABBA
8:30 – Laser Aerosmith April 18
August 22
6:00 – Laser Movie Magic
7:15 – Laser Taylor Swift (updated!)
8:30 – Laser Beyoncé
September 19
6:00 – Sargent Pepper (The Beatles)
7:15 – Laser Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
8:30 – Laser 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.)
Saturday, July 19, 2025 | Tour at 5:30 p.m. | Screening at 6:30 p.m.
The magical world of Night at the Museum comes to life in the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Movie Mixers: Night at the Museum!
Join us for a special evening at the museum perfect for all ages, featuring a screening of Night at the Museum and a tour through The World's Largest Dinosaurs , presented by the Gilmore Foundation. This tour will be led by the museum's curator of science and director of the Dome Planetarium, Renae Kerrigan. A hands-on craft will be available for all ages!
The American Museum of Natural History, from which The World's Largest Dinosaurs is on loan, is the setting in which the uproarious comedy of Night at the Museum takes place. There's no better time to immerse yourself in art, science, history and engagement.
Tickets
Adult: $16
Child: $14
Member Adult:$14
Member Child: $12
Visionary Society members attend free!
Get tickets HERE
For those 21+, there will be a bar available, non-alcoholic beverages also on sale.
Sponsored by Visionary Society, Film Society and Family Fun Club
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom presentation in the Giant Screen Theater
Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum and discover dinosaurs- from the largest ever, to the tiniest!
Paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History, Dr. Benson helped with research for current exhibition The World's Largest Dinosaurs , presented by the Gilmore Foundation. Now, he's working on finding the world's TINIEST dinosaur! Learn more about the size of dinosaurs, how they're weighed, and how we know how big they were in this special Zoom presentation.
Tickets
Adult- $5
Child- $5
Get your tickets HERE
Members attend for FREE!
Sponsored by Visionary Society, Friends of Science
Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.
Think you know your T. rex from your Triceratops? Put your prehistoric knowledge to the test at Dinosaur Family Trivia—a roaring good time for dino-lovers of all ages!
Bring your whole herd and compete in a fast-paced, family-friendly trivia game packed with fun facts, fossil finds, dino-mite pop culture questions, and maybe even a few surprises from current exhibition The World's Largest Dinosaurs presented by PNC.
Trivia is hosted by the wonderful Nate Downs.
Prizes will be awarded the top team, and everyone will leave with bragging rights—or at least a deeper love for all things Jurassic!
Team limit- teams of 1-8 players. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets available HERE | All ages welcome
Bonus: Guests who attended all four Dig Deep Dino Tours receive FREE trivia admission!
Pub Night Under the Stars: New Era of Astronomy – The Vera Rubin Telescope
Friday, August 8
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
A new telescope is opening the skies to astronomers better than ever before, set on the Andes Mountains in Chile. See some of the first images from the Vera Rubin Telescope and learn about this new great science tool from Planetarium Director Renae Kerrigan, who has toured the site before it opened!
Your evening will also include a tour of the night sky, the latest images from the James Webb Space Telescope, and a flight to the edge of space and back.
Each guest receives an individual snack box featuring nachos, cheese, pretzels, fruit, nuts & more; up to three servings of beer, seltzer or soda; 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 get more refreshments between shows.
$45 Members | $55 Others
Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Ages 21+
Additional questions? Contact Renae Kerrigan at rkerrigan@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org or 309.863.3030.
All supplies provided for programs unless otherwise noted. All paid programs require a minimum number of participants to run or will be canceled two business days prior to the start date. Pre-registration required.
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!
August 22
6:00 – Laser Movie Magic
7:15 – Laser Taylor Swift (updated!)
8:30 – Laser Beyoncé
September 19
6:00 – Sargent Pepper (The Beatles)
7:15 – Laser Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
8:30 – Laser 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.)
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!
September 19
6:00 – Sargent Pepper (The Beatles)
7:15 – Laser Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
8:30 – Laser 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.)
