Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | Doors open 5 p.m. | Live Zoom Conversation at 5:30 p.m.
Meet the crew of the Nautilus, the ship of oceanographer and discoverer of the wreck of the RMS Titanic, Bob Ballard.
Join us aboard the Nautilus, an exploratory vessel studying deep-sea habitats in the Western Pacific. Learn more about how the scientists aboard the Nautilus use mapping sonars, ROV systems and other exploration technologies as they present from the ship itself. Learn what it means to be a part of the Corps of Exploration, and engage in a unique two-way dialogue with the crew.
This presentation is in conjunction with current exhibition Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission , presented by CEFCU, making it's world premiere at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
E/V Nautilus is a 224-foot research ship owned and operated by the non-profit Ocean Exploration Trust to engage in pure ocean exploration. Directed by Dr. Bob Ballard, Nautilus is equipped with a team of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), Hercules, Argus, Little Hercules, and Atalanta, a multibeam mapping system, and mapping tools Diana and Echo, allowing it to conduct deep sea exploration of the ocean to a depth of 4,000 meters (13,000 ft).
Get tickets HERE
In conjunction with Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission
Presented by CEFCU
Sponsored by Gilmore Foundation, OLLI, Merle and Adeline Dargel Fund for Science and Engineering, Gretchen Hagen-Petrakis and Corporate Visionary Society Council.
Join us for a special member exclusive gallery walkthrough with curator of art Zac Zetterberg, spanning two exhibitions: Friends of Folk: Freedom and Expression and the Center for American Decoys.
Experience these galleries through the eyes of their curator, with insights into their creation, the objects within, and more!
Schedule:
Donuts and Coffee available in the museum lobby | 10 a.m.
Tour with Zac Zetterberg | 10:30 a.m.
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, Folk Art and Decoy Club
Sunday, October 12, 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, October 12, 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:
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.Come get your points recorded at the Achievement Passport Check-In. Every point counts when trying to win this year’s grand prize! Make sure your count is correct and recorded. We will only be looking at points earned from January – September 2025.
Wild Rescue | 12:30-1:10 pm | GST | 10 Points
Experience the inspiring journey of animals given a second chance at a wild life in this giant screen adventure. Based on the work at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, this uplifting film follows the dedicated teams who rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured and orphaned wild animals.
Tours:
Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission , presented by CEFCU | 12:30 p.m. | 100 Points
Join one of our Education Guides on a thrilling tour of our newest exhibition, “Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission.”
Folk and Agriculture: A Tour with Zac Zetterberg | 2:30 p.m. | 100 Points
Join curator Zac Zetterberg for a tour of Folk art in “Solitude” and “Friends of Folk.” This tour will start at the entrance of “Solitude.”
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 and Midwest Agricultural Endowment Fund
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:
September 17 - The Heart of Illinois Chorus: Sweet Adelines
Come enjoy the musical stylings from the Sweet Adelines!
October 15 - Friends of Folk / Halloween Celebration
Come enjoy our Halloween celebration with a folksy twist!
November 19 - Joyful Resistance with Everley Davis
Learn about a new exhibition curated by Everley Davis.
The 2026 Senior Morning Calendar will be released on November 19!
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 Peoria Falcon Circle, Visionary Society
Wine and Cheese Under the Stars
Space Update!
Friday, October 17 | 7-9 PM
Dome Planetarium
Enjoy an evening out in the Dome Planetarium and learn about new space discoveries, including a new moon around Uranus, an asteroid family, new images from the Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes, and more recent space news. Planetarium Director Renae Kerrigan will show you what you can see in the evening sky, and end the night with a flight through our Solar System and beyond.
Each ticket includes up to three glasses of wine or other drinks and a charcuterie box from Bella’s Charcuterie.
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.
Upcoming event: November 14 | 7-9 PM
Wine and Cheese Under the Stars: Top Space Stories of 2025
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
Saturday Matinee - Oct 11, 18, 25, Nov 1
Noon - Laser Halloween (30 min. Family Friendly)
October 24
6:00 – Laser Halloween Spooktacular
7:15 – Laser Stranger Things
8:30 – Laser Floyd: Welcome to the Machine
November 7
6:00 – Laser Journey (new show!)
7:15 – Laser Stranger Things
8:30 – Laser AC/DC vs Guns n’ Roses
December 19
6:00 – Laser Holiday Magic
7:15 – Laser Journey (new show!)
8:30 – Laser Stranger Things
$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.)
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
November 7
6:00 – Laser Journey (new show!)
7:15 – Laser Stranger Things
8:30 – Laser AC/DC vs Guns n’ Roses
December 19
6:00 – Laser Holiday Magic
7:15 – Laser Journey (new show!)
8:30 – Laser Stranger Things
$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.)
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | Performance 6:30 p.m. | Reception 8 p.m.
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is pleased to announce a new series of performances taking place in current exhibition Solitude: The Necessity of Art.
Join us for Sounds in Solitude , a special music series where art and music come together in a beautiful and moving way. In each event, a musician picks artworks from the exhibition Solitude: The Necessity of Art and performs a solo piece inspired by what they see.
Through music, they share their personal response to the art, creating a powerful connection between sound and image. The musician may also perform other pieces that add to the story they want to tell.
A museum curator will join the performance to walk the audience through the selected artworks, giving insight into the art and the creative exchange between the musician and the visuals.
Experience this one-of-a-kind journey where music brings new life to art — and art inspires unforgettable music.
Tickets
Light hors d'oeuvres will be served after the performance. A cash bar will be available.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation
Sponsored by Visionary Society, Friends of Performance and Illinois Arts Council.
Wine and Cheese Under the Stars
Top Space Stories of 2025
Friday, November 14 | 7-9 PM
Dome Planetarium
Enjoy and evening out in the Dome Planetarium where we will review the top space stories from 2025. Planetarium Director Renae Kerrigan will share gorgeous new images from space, review milestones in spaceflight, and top discoveries from missions exploring the Solar System. We will end the evening with a flight to the edge of space and back.
Each ticket includes up to three glasses of wine or other drinks and a charcuterie box from Bella’s Charcuterie.
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.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Doors open at 5 p.m. | Crafts 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Tour of Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission at 5:30 p.m. | Movie Screening at 6:30 p.m.
Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for a special Movie Mixer event!
Go on an undersea adventure with a tour of Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission presented by CEFCU, then journey into the ocean with Nemo and friends with a screening of Pixar's Finding Nemo on the largest Film Society screen in the nation! Crafts will be available up until the start of the movie.
Schedule:
Doors open | 5 p.m.
Crafts | 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Tour of Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission | 5:30 p.m.
Screening of Finding Nemo | 6:30 p.m.
Get tickets HERE
Sponsored by Visionary Society, Film Society, Family Fun Club
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
December 19
6:00 – Laser Holiday Magic
7:15 – Laser Journey (new show!)
8:30 – Laser Stranger Things
$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.)
