For years, East Peoria’s been on the rise. Now, it’s a go-to for families, careers and connection. From massive riverfront celebrations and championship-level sports to farm parks, craft cocktails and career-ready college grads, this is where hometown comfort meets big-league ambition. Whether you’re planting roots, growing a business or just planning a weekend with your crew, East Peoria’s got everything you want … and more*.
All you gotta do is scroll down to get the EP low-down.
Red, White & BOOM!
One of the biggest fireworks shows in the country happens right here, and East Peoria is half the reason it’s always unforgettable. Every 4th of July, Choose Greater Peoria Red, White & BOOM! lights up the Illinois River with a massive pyrotechnic display that can be seen from both sides of the water. Families gather at River Front Park, boats fill the river and East Peoria’s riverfront turns into a front-row seat for one of our region’s favorite traditions. There’s food, music, community and a many a good vibe.
Fun fact: This show regularly brings over 200,000 people to both sides of the river — making it the largest fireworks event in Illinois and in the top 1% of the country.
Festival of Lights
East Peoria’s winter crown jewel runs from Thanksgiving to early January. FOLEPI (Festival of Lights East Peoria Illinois) has dazzled visitors since 1984 and even won the Heavyweights Grand Prize on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight. Thousands drive through glittering displays and massive floats, then gather for the Parade of Lights, take carriage rides and enjoy ticketed pancake breakfasts with Santa at nearby Quail Meadows Golf Course.
Fun fact: The iconic wooden toy-soldier FOLEPI debuted in 1986 and remains the festival’s mascot today.
The Levee District
What used to be a Caterpillar factory floor is now the vibrant, walkable core of East Peoria. Redeveloped in the early 2000s, the district now offers boutique shops, cozy cafés and local restaurants — plus green space and walking trails that bring people together by the river.
Community energy is its heart:
- Music in the Park takes over Levee Park every June–August, featuring free outdoor concerts from local talent on first and third Thursdays.
- The Levee District Cruise-In is a seasonal classic, where classic-car fans park, pose and show off their rides.
- The adjacent riverfront trail connects the district to recreation, history and spacious greenways.
Fun fact: it took nearly two decades to fully transform the former industrial slab into today’s lively urban center, a true labor of reinvention.
Illinois Central College
ICC’s East Peoria campus opened in 1967 and has grown into one of Central Illinois’ most important engines for workforce development. It now serves over 7,000 students each semester, offering 69 associate degree programs and more than 100 certificates — with standout training in HVAC, IT, healthcare and other high-demand industries.
Fun fact: ICC’s women’s basketball program has won six NJCAA national championships, and the campus now features a training center named after ICC’s own and MLB Hall of Famer Jim Thome.
East Peoria Chamber of Commerce
The East Peoria Chamber has been showing up for this city since 1948. Today, it represents more than 400 local businesses and leads the charge on economic growth, events, partnerships and small business support. They’re also a proud partner of Choose Greater Peoria.
Eats & Drinks the Locals Love
Whether you’re after brunch, seafood by the river or something with a little kick, East Peoria delivers on flavor and vibe. Here are a few suggestions.
- The 520 Café – Legendary skillets and pancake stacks
- Jonah’s Seafood House & 2601 Oyster Bar – Top-rated riverfront dining
- The 5th Quarter Sports Bar & Pizzeria – Comfort food, cold beer, casual hangs
- The Silver Bullet – A friendly neighborhood bar known for its burgers, pool tables and slots
EastSide Centre
EastSide Centre is one of the premier athletic complexes in Illinois, regularly hosting IHSA state championships and regional tournaments. The 100-acre facility includes:
- Ten baseball and softball fields, including two newly renovated turf diamonds
- Four full-size grass soccer and lacrosse fields
- A 4,400-seat stadium with an all-weather track
- Three indoor basketball courts and a 20,000 square foot gym with new flooring
- An indoor walking and running track, plus a full-service fitness center with classes and personal training
Fun fact: EastSide Centre recently broke ground on a $6 million expansion — adding more courts, upgraded locker rooms and new community spaces to meet rising demand.
Fon du Lac Farm Park & Green Spaces
For a dose of nostalgia and nature, Fon du Lac Farm Park delivers in spades. Kids can feed goats, check out tractors and explore old-school barns. Nearby Levee Park features a reading garden, walking trails and a community stage. A splash pad with LED lighting and terraced seating is under construction, and the final phase — including a covered amphitheater — is slated for completion by fall 2025.
Fun fact: The entire park redevelopment has been funded through grants and donations, including a $400,000 OSLAD grant matched by the East Peoria Community Foundation.
Par-A-Dice & Riverfront Nightlife
Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino has anchored East Peoria’s entertainment scene since 1993. Whether you’re hitting the casino floor, catching a band at Tin Lizard or enjoying a romantic dinner at William B’s — this riverside landmark always brings the energy.
Fun fact: The Par-A-Dice name comes from a local tavern called “The Paradise,” a nod to its Peoria roots from the start. It opened in 1991 in Peoria before moving across the river to East Peoria in 1993.
Hidden Geological Gem: Farm Creek Section
Just outside city limits lies a National Historic Landmark that most locals don’t even know exists. The Farm Creek Section is one of the earliest documented glacial deposits in North America — studied by geologists since 1879.
Fun fact: This exposed hillside helped define Ice Age-era soil layers and became a key reference site for geologists across the country.
Our Two Cents
Don’t think of East Peoria as a footnote. Think of it as a key chapter in the Greater Peoria story. It blends tradition and transformation, with room to grow and people who care. From holiday lights to job training, weekend getaways to local eats, this is a city where things work, where life feels good.
Want to learn even more* about EP? Check out our blog from August 2023, Why Choose East Peoria? — and see why it’s a splendid place to call home.