The best arts & culture spots in Pekin

7 arts & culture spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Pekin’s best · Restaurants · Nightlife · Entertainment · Beauty · Bakeries & Sweets · Shopping · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Home & Garden · Pets · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Parks & Outdoors · Sporting Goods · Health & Wellness

Pinned in Pekin today

This spot is open today.

Two pinned places a day in Pekin — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →

Paid placements are always marked.

Arts & Culture · 7 places · showing the latest additions first

Peoria Academy of Dance and Art

Arts & Culture

From adult ballet and pointe to clay, watercolor, sewing, yoga, and even voice and improv, Peoria Academy of Dance and Art packs the…

1101 SW Washington St (Peoria)

“From adult ballet and pointe to clay, watercolor, sewing, yoga, and even voice and improv, Peoria Academy of Dance and Art packs the Warehouse District with low-pressure, high-spark classes and drop-in workshops.”

From the Peoria newsletter, August 3, 2026

Website ↗

The Peoria PlayHouse

Arts & Culture

Colorful kids' museum featuring interactive exhibits & play areas relating to art, science & music.

2218 N Prospect Rd (Peoria)

“Colorful kids' museum featuring interactive exhibits & play areas relating to art, science & music.”

Website ↗

Kim's Academy of Dance

Arts & Culture

From preschool combos with ballet, tap and tumbling to lyrical, hip hop, acro and focused technique, Kim's Academy of Dance keeps it fun…

9226 N Industrial Rd (Peoria)

“From preschool combos with ballet, tap and tumbling to lyrical, hip hop, acro and focused technique, Kim's Academy of Dance keeps it fun and non-competitive with encouraging teachers and even drop-in punch-card sessions. If you’ve been meaning to dance again, take this as your nudge.”

From the Peoria newsletter, August 23, 2026

Website ↗

Studio DYB “Dance Your Best”

Arts & Culture

Studio DYB “Dance Your Best” keeps Peoria moving with classes for preschool through adults across ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, tumbling and…

806 W Pioneer Pkwy (Peoria)

“Studio DYB “Dance Your Best” keeps Peoria moving with classes for preschool through adults across ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, tumbling and musical theatre.”

From the Peoria newsletter, August 25, 2026

Website ↗

Run a Pekin business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

Central Illinois Ballet

Arts & Culture

Central Illinois Ballet is rolling into its 2026/27 season with company performances to cheer for and, if your toes are itching, classes…

5201 W War Memorial Dr Ste 440 (Peoria)

“Central Illinois Ballet is rolling into its 2026/27 season with company performances to cheer for and, if your toes are itching, classes through its Cornerstone Academy of Performing Arts. This week, grab tickets or find a class, then pretend that grand jeté was totally on purpose.”

From the Peoria newsletter, August 22, 2026

Website ↗

Peoria Riverfront Museum

Arts & Culture

Peoria Riverfront Museum is your one-stop mashup of art and science, with a giant-screen theater, a seriously cool planetarium, and a…

222 SW Washington St (Peoria)

“Peoria Riverfront Museum is your one-stop mashup of art and science, with a giant-screen theater, a seriously cool planetarium, and a sculpture garden that doubles as a sanity walk.”

From the Peoria newsletter, August 11, 2026

Website ↗

Cornerstone Academy for Performing Arts

Arts & Culture

Cornerstone Academy of Performing Arts is the official school of Central Illinois Ballet, with a structured curriculum that builds real…

5201 W War Memorial Dr Ste 470 (Peoria)

“Cornerstone Academy of Performing Arts is the official school of Central Illinois Ballet, with a structured curriculum that builds real technique and artistry from Creative Movement to Pre-Professional levels and Adult classes, plus performance opportunities.”

From the Peoria newsletter, August 18, 2026

Website ↗

Listed here?

You’ve earned the mark — get the BaseLocal’s Best badge for your site →. Want in? List your business →