Soak Up Summer in Champaign-Urbana
Summer in Champaign-Urbana includes a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered! From daily live music to the tantalizing flavors of local delicacies and the boundless outdoor adventures, our brilliant Illinois community offers an array of opportunities to savor the season.
Live Music. Every Day.
Summer in Champaign-Urbana comes alive with the sound of music, echoing through the streets and filling the air with rhythm and melody. We boast a vibrant live music scene, catering to a diverse range of tastes. Whether you're into jazz, blues, rock, or indie, there's something for everyone here.
Three locations, six bands per night, and 13 weeks adds up to nearly 80 local performers in the summer during Friday Night Live. Local musicians and residents alike celebrate all summer long with free live music from Memorial Day through Labor Day in downtown Champaign.
At Rose Bowl Tavern in downtown Urbana, the music heads outdoors under the tent. You can hear two shows daily at this popular honky-tonk, which boasts live music 364 days a year!
Check out other outdoor live music spots in our local parks, forest preserves, and Allerton Park & Retreat Center.
Farm fresh. family fun.
No summer experience in Champaign-Urbana is complete without indulging in the culinary delights offered by our award-winning food scene. From farm-to-table eateries to eclectic food trucks and bustling farmers' markets, the options are endless for food enthusiasts looking to tantalize their taste buds.
For a family-friendly, farm-to-table experience, check out Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery. This goat dairy has been producing award-winning cheese that's been ranked among the world's best! Make your own charcuterie board, enjoy brunch at the on-site restaurant, Caprae, or socialize with the adorable goats!
Bountiful fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, sustainably raised meat, vibrant plants and flowers, and artisan goods are easy to find in the Champaign-Urbana area as farmers markets return. In fact, the Champaign-Urbana area has a farmers market 5 out of 7 days a week! Held on Saturdays, Urbana’s Market at the Square is one of Illinois’ largest, with over 70 vendors on hand, food trucks, activities for kids, and musical performers.
sunny hikes. starry skies.
Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the natural beauty that surrounds Champaign-Urbana. With an abundance of forest preserves, trails, and camping, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors during the summer months.
Pack up your camping gear and sleep under the stars at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, the only International Dark Sky Park in Illinois! The newly developed and fully accessible Dark Sky Trail system loops through tallgrass prairie and gives you a spectacular view of the Milky Way. More of a daytime person? Rent a kayak or bring your own to Lake of the Woods, River Bend, or Homer Lake to spend some time in the water, then hike the surrounding trails.
At Allerton Park & Retreat Center, you can walk through 14 formal gardens, complete with stunning art, then tackle up to 14 miles of hiking trails.
In Sullivan, an hour south of Champaign-Urbana, you’ll find Lake Shelbyville, where you can sit on a beach, get on a boat, or go hiking in the many trails in the area.
PUblic art. powerful impact.
Public art looms large in the Champaign-Urbana area, with over 200 sculptures and murals adorning our parks, preserves, and public spaces. Through our Art in CU Trail, you can explore areas rich with sculpture and murals, from our downtown districts to the University of Illinois campus, to the Wandell Sculpture Garden at Meadowbrook Park.
Murals play a large role in the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail. Created by nationally renowned artists, the murals celebrate culture and community, with themes of African American Firsts, The Power of Black Women, and African American Educational Excellence, among others.
Historical murals across our small towns also tell the rich stories of our communities. In Arcola, the Walldogs, a group of 130 artists, created 15 murals that celebrate the heritage of this community. Among the themes are Hispanic immigration, the Broomcorn Festival, the home of Raggedy Ann & Andy, and a nod to the innovator in hybrid seed corn. In Paxton, two murals were recreated, highlighting the long-time vibrancy of their charming downtown. One of the newest mural additions is Tuscola's vibrant "Starry Night" mural, depicting the community under a Van Gogh sky.
Plan Your Visit
Summer in Champaign-Urbana is a time of celebration, exploration, and discovery. Whether you're soaking in the sounds of live music, indulging in delicious local cuisine, or embarking on outdoor adventures, there's no shortage of experiences to delight the senses and create lasting memories. Experience all that this brilliant community has to offer.
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Download our digital Experience Guide or request your copy to start planning.