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You are here: Home / Arts / Where to Watch Free and Cheap Outdoor Movies in Champaign-Urbana

Where to Watch Free and Cheap Outdoor Movies in Champaign-Urbana

April 30, 2025 By From The Editors

Budget friendly movies shown outdoors to keep your kids entertained this summer

 

Warm weather entertainment doesn’t have to break the bank! Where to find free (or cheap) outdoor movies for families in Champaign-Urbana and beyond

Movies shown outdoors are a unique tradition for Midwest families. Whether spectators watch the show projected on a sheet in the backyard, or more people gather for the occasion in a park, village square, or pool, we have a list of places you can find movies OUTDOORS around Champaign-Urbana.

Summer Outdoor Movies

Chambanamoms thanks Illini Union Board Summer Films on the Quad for presenting this list of outdoor movies.

The Illini Union and the Illini Union Board present the Summer Films on the Quad. Each Thursday during the summer, come enjoy a free movie out on the University of Illinois Quad facing the Illini Union. Snacks and drinks can be purchased from the Illini Union Quad Shop.


There’s something special about movies during the summertime, isn’t there? And it gets even more special when you get to watch them — gasp — outside!

We find movie nights popping up where the film is shown on the side of downtown buildings, on big screens next to our favorite pools, and even in the middle of places like Allerton Park. If you’re going to be stopping at the quad for a movie, you may also want to check out our ideas for great places to eat in Campustown. We list all of the local outdoor movie events we know of in the list below. And check back often – we definitely will add to this list as the season progresses.

Movie on the Quad

RELATED: Looking for info on the free summer movies at the Savoy 16 movie theater? Check here!

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Date/Time Event
05/29/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Friday, May 30, 2025

Date/Time Event
05/30/2025
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Moo-vie Nights at Prairie Farm | A Bug's Life
at Prairie Farm, Champaign IL

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Date/Time Event
06/05/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Date/Time Event
06/12/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Friday, June 13, 2025

Date/Time Event
06/13/2025
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Moo-vie Nights at Prairie Farm | Chicken Little
at Prairie Farm, Champaign IL

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Date/Time Event
06/19/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Date/Time Event
06/21/2025
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Movie Night at Sholem – Kung Fu Panda
at Sholem Aquatic Center, Champaign Illinois

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Date/Time Event
06/26/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Friday, June 27, 2025

Date/Time Event
06/27/2025
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Moo-vie Nights at Prairie Farm | Open Season (2006)
at Prairie Farm, Champaign IL

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Date/Time Event
07/03/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Date/Time Event
07/10/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Friday, July 11, 2025

Date/Time Event
07/11/2025
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Moo-vie Nights at Prairie Farm | Babe (1995)
at Prairie Farm, Champaign IL

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Date/Time Event
07/17/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Date/Time Event
07/24/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Friday, July 25, 2025

Date/Time Event
07/25/2025
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Moo-vie Nights at Prairie Farm | Home on the Range (2004)
at Prairie Farm, Champaign IL

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Date/Time Event
07/26/2025
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Movie Night at Sholem – Nacho Libre
at Sholem Aquatic Center, Champaign Illinois

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Date/Time Event
07/31/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Date/Time Event
08/07/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Friday, August 8, 2025

Date/Time Event
08/08/2025
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Moo-vie Nights at Prairie Farm | Charlotte’s Web (2006)
at Prairie Farm, Champaign IL

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Date/Time Event
08/14/2025
9:00 pm
IU Board FREE Summer Movies on the Quad
at U of I Quad, Urbana

Get ready for summer in Champaign-Urbana:

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  • 7 Great Summer Festivals in Central Illinois
  • Visiting Champaign-Urbana Area Parks and Playgrounds with Your Family
  • Best Midwest Summer Road Trips for Champaign-Urbana Families
  • Summer Fun in Chicago: Free Days at the Best Museums
  • Splash Pads Around Champaign-Urbana
  • Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Fairs and Festivals
  • Strawberry Picking Near Champaign-Urbana
  • 13 Things To Do on the University of Illinois Campus This Summer
  • Champaign-Urbana Area Swimming Pools
  • Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Reading Programs
  • Summer Fun for Families in Champaign-Urbana
  • Where to Watch Free and Cheap Outdoor Movies in Champaign-Urbana
  • Farmers Markets in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
  • Fishing Fun for Families in the Champaign-Urbana Area
  • Swim Teams in Champaign-Urbana
  • Outdoor Concerts in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
  • Season Pool Passes On Sale in Champaign-Urbana
  • Where to Take Swim Lessons in Champaign-Urbana
  • Champaign-Urbana Summer Camps for Kids

Click here for summer fun

Filed Under: Arts, Bargains, Featured Guide, News, Summer Activities Tagged With: Allerton Park, champaign, Fall, free, free movie, fun on a budget, Hessel Park, Kids movies, monticello movie nights, monticello square, movie night, outdoor movie, Savoy 16, sholem aquatic center, summer activities, summer fun on a budget, urbana

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