Friday, May 2, 2025 - Sunday, May 4, 2025
This May, the Peoria Riverfront Museum becomes the Happiest Place on Earth! Join us, for Disney Fest!
Disney Fest 2025 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. 2025's Disney Fest brings more to the movies: join us for a Disney Trivia Night, a Dinner and a Movie experience, animation workshops, and so much more!
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.
Award-winning author, historian, filmmaker, educator and musician, Mindy Johnson will return to the Peoria Riverfront Museum for pre- and post- film discussion on the history of women in Disney animation. Her books include Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, Tinker Bell: An Evolution, and Pencils, Pens & Brushes: A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation.
For the full schedule of Disney Films, click HERE.
Programming Schedule:
Sunday, May 4, 2025
- Donald Duck Shorts
12: 30 p.m. in the Giant Screen Theater
Join us as author J.B. Kaufman presents five selected shorts of Donald Duck, and provides commentary on the evolution and animation of the character. There will be a book signing to follow with Mr. Kaufman.
Get tickets HERE
- Laser Movie Magic
1 p.m. in the Dome Planetarium
Join us for a laser light show featuring all your favorite Disney movies, including songs and visuals from classic Disney films like The Lion King to newer additions to the Disney family like Star Wars!
Get tickets HERE
- Draw It! A workshop with Joe the Art Guy!
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. in the Gilmore Auditorium
The Peoria Riverfront Museum invites you to a drawing workshop with Joe the Art Guy who will show you how to draw realistic and cartoon depictions of all your favorite animals; everything from dogs, horses, kitty cats, birds, and more. Joe will guide you through a step-by-step process, using basic shapes to help you create the animal of your choice! All materials are provided, including sketch paper, pencils, colored pencils and ink.
Get tickets for the 1:30 workshop HERE
Get tickets for the 2:30 workshop HERE
- Tour of Cinderella | Peter Pan: The Classic Disney Collection of Steve Spain with Steve Spain
2 p.m. Join us in the gallery for a special tour through the classic Disney collection of Steve Spain, with Steve himself! See rare Disney cels, posters, and more as you learn the history behind the animation.
- Screening of The Reluctant Dragon
2:30 p.m. With an introduction by author J.B. Kaufman, join us in the Giant Screen Theater for a special screening of Disney anthology The Reluctant Dragon (1941).
Get tickets HERE