Have some summer fun for FREE with the Champaign Park District! Below are events and programs that are completely FREE, start planning your summer TODAY!
Special Events
SUMMER CONCERTS
All Ages
This summer, gather your friends, family, and neighbors for our Summer Concerts. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and refreshments.
HESSEL PARK CONCERTS
DATE | TIME | LOCATION | BAND
May 6 | 2-5p | Eddison Middle School Bands
June 3 | 6-8p | TyJon Charlie
July 1 | 6-8p | Samba Soul
August 5 | 6-8p | Meadowhawk
JAZZ IN THE PARK
DATE | TIME | LOCATION | BAND
May 25 | 6-8p | Robeson Park | Jose Gobbo Trio
June 22 | 6-8p | Porter Park | Chip McNeil Quartet
July 20 | 6-8p | Kaufman Lake | Leon Lewis Nicol Trio
August 24 | 6-8p | Morrissey Park | Jeff Helgesen
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
DAY IN THE PARK
All Ages
Join us for a day in the park filled with games, music, food, and more!
DATE | TIME | LOCATION
May 28 | 1-3p | Mayfair Park
June 25 | 1-3p | Turnberry Ridge
July 23 | 1-3p | Spalding Park
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
KIDS’ FISHING DERBY
Ages 6-12
Co-sponsored by the Optimist Club of Champaign-Urbana for children who love to fish! Prizes will be awarded and a free hot dog lunch will be served. Bring your own fishing tackle — bait will be provided. A parent/guardian should accompany their child(ren) and fill out a permission form for each participant, available on-site at the event.
Date: Saturday, June 3
Time: 9a-12p
Location: Kaufman Lake
Rain date: Sunday, June 6
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
THURSDAY NIGHT FLIX
All Ages
Grab some popcorn and a blanket and join us under the stars for a Thursday night flick every month during the summer with different and on-site food trucks to enjoy! Movies begin at dusk.
DATE | MOVIE | LOCATION
June 8 | Wakanda Forever | Mattis Park
July 6 | Encanto | Clark Park
August 3 | Back to the Future | Toalson Park
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
All Ages
Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States, is one event you don’t want to miss. Enjoy music and visit different vendors while learning about this important holiday. Children can make arts and crafts, play on the bounce house and obstacle course, or get soaked in the Splash Pad.
Date: Saturday, June 17
Time: 12-3p
Location: Douglass Park
Questions: robert.white@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2572
CU DAYS
All Ages
Celebrate the Chambana Community with us! Enjoy live music, tasty food, children’s activities, senior activities, and more!
Dates: August 11-12
Time: Friday – 5-8p, Saturday – 11a-8p
Location: Douglass Park
Questions: katherine.hicks@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2573
Prairie Farm
PETTING AREA
All Ages
Weather permitting you and your family can come hang out and pet various animals. Petting animals is at your own risk, even though the area is supervised and the animals are tame. Tennis shoes or boots are required to protect your feet from the dancing animals.
Date: Monday, May 29 – August 13
Time: 3-5p
Questions: david.galvin@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3986
STORY TIME AT THE FARM
All Ages
Once upon a time, the Prairie Farm animals hosted story time. Children of all ages stopped by the farm to enjoy animal stories. Some children brought blankets and picnic baskets filled with goodies. Others brought their smile, but they all lived happily ever after.
Date: Monday, May 29 – July 24
Time: 2-2:30p
Questions: david.galvin@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3986
Enrichment
C.U.A.S. FAMILY SKYWATCH
Ages 5+
Join members of the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society, Inc. on select Saturdays for an evening under the stars. See the stars and planets through the largest public telescope in East Central Illinois. All skywatch sessions are cancelled in the event of cloudy weather (visit cuas.org.).No registration required.
- April 29
- May 27
- June 24
- July 22
- August 19
Time: Sunset
Location: CUAS Observatory, 926 County Road 700E, Champaign
Questions: sean.hurst@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3901
FULL S.T.E.A.M AHEAD
3rd-7th graders with parent
Science. Technology. Engineering. Art. Mathematics. This is what makes up STEAM. Various science organizations from UIUC, in partnership with X-Time, are excited to introduce you to the wonderful world of STEAM and all that it entails. This is NOT a drop off event.
DATE | DEADLINE
May 4 | April 27
May 18 | May 11
June 1 | May 25
June 15 | June 8
July 6 | June 29
July 20 | July 13
August 3 | July 27
August 17 | August 10
Day: Thursday
Time: 4:30-6p
Fee: FREE, but registration is required
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3971
CURIOSITY FUELS THE IMAGINATION
All Ages
The Curiosity Cube® is a retrofitted shipping container that has been transformed into a mobile science lab. Inside the Curiosity Cube® visitors of all ages experience hands-on science experiments. In 2023, the Curiosity Cube® experiments will focus on contamination. We can’t wait to teach students about the various forms of contamination around us and how we can all contribute to protecting the planet. Visit thecuriositycube.com to learn more.
Date : Saturday, June 10
Time: 10-1p
Fee (R/NR): FREE
Location: Martens Center
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3971
LEARN TO FISH
All Ages
People of all ages can learn to fish at these free clinics run by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Individuals and groups are invited to join us at Kaufman Lake. Each clinic will have two portions: education and actual fishing. The education portion will last about 45 minutes and focus on safety, fishing techniques, proper ethics and aquatic ecology. Fishing equipment and bait will be provided. Registration for this program is required. Children under the age of 18 SHOULD be supervised by an adult. Children under the age of 13 MUST be supervised by an adult.
- June 20 | Tu | 9-11a
- June 22 | Th | 1-3p
- June 27 | Tu | 9-11a
- June 29 | Th | 1-3p
- July 6 | Th | 1-3p
- July 11 | Tu | 9-11a
- July 13 | Th | 1-3p
- July 18 | Tu | 9-11a
- July 20 | Th | 1-3p
- July 25 | Tu | 9-11a
- July 27 | Th | 1-3p
Fee (R/NR): FREE, but registration is required
Deadline: One week prior to each clinic
Location: Kaufman Lake
Questions: william.schoell@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3926
INTRODUCTION TO MODEL ROCKETRY
All Ages
Here’s your opportunity to get started in this fun and exciting hobby. We will give a short presentation on what is involved in building and flying model rockets and how anyone can get involved in the hobby. Pre-registration is required.
Date: Tuesday, May 2
Time: 7p
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Deadline: April 25
Instructor: Central Illinois Aerospace
Questions: 217-359-8225 or visit ciarocketry.org
INTRODUCTION TO HIGH POWER ROCKETRY
All Ages
Have you been flying model rockets for a while and are now interested in flying some of the bigger ones? Here’s your opportunity to get started in this fun and exciting hobby. We will give a short presentation and answer any questions on what is involved in getting started in high power rocketry. Pre-registration is required.
Date: Tuesday, August 1
Time: 7p
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Deadline: July 25
Instructor: Central Illinois Aerospace
Questions: 217-359-8225 or visit ciarocketry.org
50 Plus!
RULES OF THE ROAD
Ages 50+
Refresh yourself on driving safety at this free drop-in class. There is NO driving test given at this class and it will NOT affect your insurance rate.
Date: Friday, August 11
Time: 10-12p
Fee (M/NM): FREE
Location: Hays Recreation Center
Questions: call Jean at 217-239-1152 or email at veronica.cousett@champaignparks.org
Art Exhibits
The Springer Cultural Center hosts eight exhibitions per year. Six are professional shows for adult local and regional artists, which are determined by review of applications. Two are amateur art shows: the Champaign County Town & Country Amateur Art Show and the State Town & Country Amateur Art Show for youth and adults. Participants may enter the Champaign County Town and Country Amateur Art Show by completing an entry form. Those who win at the county show are eligible for entrance in the State Town & Country Show. Click here for more information the next Town & Country County show >>
Explore more Summer Fun with our Explore! Program Guide!
