2017 Summer Special Events (May – September)
From festivals to live music, fishing to agriculture, we have the perfect special event planned for your family this summer – so come on out and make some memories! If you have any questions about our special events, please contact Zoe Stinson or call 217-819-3931 unless otherwise noted.
Weather Cancellations
All outdoor events are subject to weather cancellations and other delays. For weather-related closures or other program delays or cancellations, please visit our Cancellations Page or call 217-805-4100 for automated updates.
Festivals
StreetFest
Join us for live local music in the streets of Downtown Champaign and listen to some great CU talent on June 10 & July 15, 2017. For more information, please visit the StreetFest webpage.
Champaign-Urbana Days
Join us for Champaign-Urbana Days (CU Days) at Douglass Park on Friday, August 11 & Saturday, August 12, 2017! For more information, please visit the CU Days webpage.
Taste of Champaign-Urbana
Join us at West Side Park on Friday, August 18 & Saturday, August 19, 2017 for the Taste of Champaign Urbana festival! For more information, please visit the Taste of CU webpage.
Sounds at Sunset Concert Series – FREE!
This summer gather your friends, family, and neighbors as we host the Sounds at Sunset events throughout Champaign. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and refreshments. Find us at a park near you!
May 6; 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Hessel Park *Moved to Edison Middle School
Edison Middle School Bands
May 21; 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Scott Park
New Souls
May 28; 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Kaufman Lake
TBD
June 18; 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Toalson Park
Katie Flynn
June 25; 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Clark Park
Big Bluestem String Band
July 23; 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Mullikin Park
West of Staley
July 30; 6:00 -8:00 pm
Morrissey Park
The New and Slightly Used
August 27; 3:00 – 7:00 pm
Hessel Park
Gospel Jazz Fest
Questions: zoe.stinson@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3931
Neighborhood Summer Block Parties – FREE!
We are bringing the party to your neighborhood! Join us at the neighborhoods listed below for Block Party fun! Inflatables, face painting, lawn games, live performances including CUperStars, interactive music by DJ Fireproof, and many more activities will be available for all to enjoy, so mark these dates!
Dates
May 25; 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Countrybrook
June 22; 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Citizens Park
July 27; 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Voters’s Choice – Toalson Park!
August 1; 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Beardsley Park (National Night Out)
Questions: Zoe.Stinson@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3931
Douglass Park Talent Show | Friday, May 5 at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm)
Come out and be amazed at the Douglass Park Talent Show! See talent of all kinds on display and vote for your favorite act! Want to be a performer? Get the details HERE.
Location: Douglass Community Center
Questions: tiffany.white@champaignparks.com or 217-398-2573
Kids Fishing Derby – FREE! | Saturday, June 3 at 9:00 am – Noon
Ages: This event is designed for children ages 6-12. Adult supervision is required.
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 the day of the event.
Location: Kaufman Lake
Questions: Zoe.Stinson@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3931
Juneteenth Celebration – FREE! | Saturday, June 17 at Noon – 3:00 pm
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.
Location: Douglass Park
Questions: Darius.White@champaignparks.com or call 217-819-3961
Family Fun Ag Night – FREE! | Monday, June 19 & June 26 at 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Join the Champaign Park District and the Champaign County Farm Bureau for Family Fun Ag Nights. Families can participate in games, educational activities, and explore farm equipment. A free dinner will be provided at limited availability – first come, first served.
Location:
Monday, June 20; Leonhard Recreation Center
Monday, June 26; Douglass Community Center
Questions: Shannon.Meissner@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3988 (for June 19)
Katherine.Hicks@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3931 (for June 26)
Summer Kick Off – FREE! | Saturday, June 24 at Noon – 2:00 pm
Let’s kick off the summer with an art explosion! Bring the whole family and a picnic lunch to watch local artists paint murals on the skate park. Also, enjoy features free face painting and inflatables, pollinator plant giveaways, cold treats from The Pop Stop, and more.
Location: Spalding Park & Skate Park
Questions: zoe.stinson@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3931
White Sox vs Yankees Baseball Game | Monday, June 26 at 3:30 pm – 1:00 am
All Ages (Participants 16 yrs & younger must be accompanied by an adult 21+ yrs)
“Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd; Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, I don’t care if I never get back.” Take a trip with us to watch the White Sox vs Yankees baseball game at Guarnteed Rate Field in Chicago. The fee includes travel by motor coach and game ticket. Bring money for dinner or souvenirs.
Location: Meet at Leonhard Recreation Center
Questions: matt.silver@champaignparks.com or 217-398-2571
Parks & Rec Month Celebrations – FREE! | Thursdays in July at 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Let’s kick off the summer with an art explosion! Bring the whole family and a picnic lunch to watch local artists paint murals on the skate park. Also, enjoy free face painting and inflatables.
July 6: Lego Batman Movie Night, Douglass Community Center gym
July 13: Ice Cream Social (while supplies last)
July 20: Activity Day
July 27: Line Dance Jamboree
Location: Douglass Park
Questions: tiffany.white@champaignparks.com or 217-398-2573
Monarch Summer – FREE! | Sunday, July 9 at 2:00 pm
Bring the family to learn about the importance of habitat for pollinators and the joy of butterflies. We will premier two short documentaries “Flowers Against the Sky” and “Touched by a Butterfly”, both of which were created by local pollinator enthusiasts Kirby and Cindy Pringle. After the show, help us plant an urban butterfly garden and enjoy face painting, crafts, and informational booths that promote being on the front lines of the pollinator awareness movement.
Location: Virginia Theatre
Questions: zoe.stinson@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3931
Rocket Launches
The Central Illinois Aerospace Model Rocket Club schedules launches twice a month, year-round, generally on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Most launches are held at Dodds Park, with occasional alternate locations. In addition there are special launches like our Great Annual Rocket Launch of 2017 on July 1 at Dodds Park! Bring your own model rocket and fly with us or just come out to watch hundreds of rockets being flown. For further information, call 217-359- 8225 or visit us online at ciarocketry.org.
Sholem Aquatic Center Events
Sholem Aquatic Center hosts a variety of family-friendly events and programs throughout the summer. Please visit the Aquatics Events page for more details.
Cultural Arts Events
The Springer Cultural Center hosts a variety of art exhibits, lunch concerts, and other cultural events throughout the year. Please visit the Cultural Arts page for more details.
