School is starting — great news for some, yet disheartening for others — but August doesn’t mean the end of summer fun in Champaign-Urbana.
No, there’s still plenty of time left to get outside and make memories. There’s festivals, movies, and tons of family fun to be had as summer transitions into fall.
Chambanamoms thanks Urbana’s Market at the Square for presenting this list.
Urbana’s Market at the Square is the place to shop when you want to shop local. Each week the Market features fresh-picked fruits and vegetables (some grown within Urbana City limits), beef, pork, chicken, bison, eggs, fresh flowers, baked goods, and food trucks. The Market also features the work of local makers including jewelry, soap, candles, ceramics, and paintings. There are musical performers and activities for kids each week. Urbana’s Market at the Square is a producer-only market which means everything is grown, made, or produced in Illinois by the people who are selling it.
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The Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company presents The Music Man at the Virginia Theatre for a weekend of performances. Adult tickets are $20.50 but seniors, students and children get discounts.
Clearview Farm and its sunflowers are the stars of the third annual show, but there’s plenty to do for an evening of fun, including live music, ice cream and a food truck.
My Little Titus Andronicus, Aug. 4-6, 11-13
The Twin City Theatre Company presents this “delightfully irreverent romp” where “the sparkly pep of My Little Pony meets the violent tragedy of Titus Andronicus.” At Urbana’s University High School. Tickets are $15 for adults.
Crystal Lake Park Art Fair, Aug. 5
The fifth annual event, sponsored by 40 North and the Urbana Park District, features more than 40 local and regional art vendors with paintings, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, photography, jewelry, poetry, glass, mixed media and more.
Second annual Back to School BBQ, Aug. 5
Head to Prairie Fields Park in Savoy for the 2nd annual Back to School BBQ hosted by the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. This free, family-friendly event will have entertainment, hot dogs and chips, public safety demonstrations, and school supplies for kids who need them to be successful as they start school. More than 300 attended the 2022 event.
Christie Clinic Presents Family Night on the Quad, Aug. 10
Join Chambanamoms and Christie Clinic at the Illini Union and Main Quad for an evening of bowling and an outdoor movie to celebrate the end of summer and the upcoming start of the school year. Get the details here.
St. Joseph Community Fall Festival, Aug. 10-12
There are many reasons to attend — carnival rides, food vendors, parade, tractor pull, fish fry, etc. — but the highlight likely comes Saturday with the fireworks show. Get the details here.
Champaign-Urbana Days, Aug. 11-12
Celebrate the Chambana community! Enjoy live music, tasty food, children’s activities, senior activities, and more at Douglass Park in Champaign.
Free Movie Night and FamiLLY Day with Illinois Athletics, Aug. 12
A free showing of a movie — Super Mario Bros. — will be the highlight of a day of activities at Memorial Stadium. Get autographs, enjoy inflatables and kickstart your Illini spirit!
Last Day of Season at Prairie Farm, Aug. 13
If you haven’t made your annual visit to this Champaign Park District staple, your last chance is today, as the farm closes for the season after Aug. 13. Find out more about making the most of your visit here.
Mahomet Music Festival, Aug. 25-26
Formerly called the Sangamon River Music Festival, the annual event in downtown Mahomet features a parade, carnival rides, vendors, crafters, a bags tournament and lots of free music.