Finding free things to do in December is never a difficult task, especially in Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities!
From truly unique Christmas shows (chemistry holiday show, anyone?) to parades, and visits with Santa popping up at many of our favorite local gems, you can take your kids to a special Christmas experience nearly every day! However, December tends to be the month where families spend the most money of the entire year on gifts, travel, special holiday wear and more.
Knowing that you may wish to save where you can, we thought we’d put together a list of 30 great FREE activities you can visit as a family this month!
A full list of ALL the great events happening throughout the month is available on our event calendar, including even more FREE and holiday-themed events.
Note: Many of these events happen one or more times this month; however, they are only listed once in the list below. Click on the event details to see if it mentions being offered multiple times or check our event calendar to find more occurrences.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Center for Children's Books Galley Winter Giveaway
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Time: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Stop by iSchool Room 24 (The Center for Children's Books) for FREE pre-publication copies of children's, middle grade, and young adult books. Come early for the best selection! Questions? Email us at ccb@illinois.edu or visit our website at http://ccb.ischool.illinois.edu/. Location: Center for Children's Books, Room 24 The Graduate School of Library & Information…read more…
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Free Sled Hockey Game and Demonstration
University of Illinois Ice Arena –
406 E. Armory, Champaign
Time: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
This is a family friendly event and is entirely FREE! Come to the U of I Ice Arena for a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St Louis Blues sled hockey teams. Following the game, you are invited to try out the sleds yourself- please brings mitten or gloves…read more…
Saturday, December 15, 2018
FREE Movie: The Polar Express
Princess Theater –
300 E. Center St., LeRoy
Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. These movies include free admission but do not include free concessions. FREE at the Princess Theater in LeRoy. More: https://www.chambanamoms.com/2013/11/12/best-kept-secret-the-princess-theater/
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Illini Volleyball Season Celebration
Huff Hall –
1206 S 4th St, Champaign
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
A celebration of the amazing season for the Illini volleyball program. Free and open to the public.
Indoor Playdate at Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center
Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center –
102 E. Michigan , Urbana
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Come celebrate our second indoor playdate of the season with us at Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center. This FREE family event will allow us to share time swimming, playing, and slip-sliding into the holiday season. Back by popular demand, Jet's Pizza will be on site for purchase by the slice. A…read more…
Know a great FREE event you’d like to share with us? Take a moment and submit your event to our event calendar!
Want more info on Champaign-Urbana holiday fun for your family? Sign up for our Ho Ho Holidays email newsletter, and you’ll get 24 days of holiday info in your inbox, starting Dec. 1.
