The Boneyard Arts Festival is returning to Champaign-Urbana this spring; here’s a list of family friendly events
The Boneyard Arts Festival is a unique festival in that related events are spread out across a multitude of venues throughout Champaign County. Finding related arts events throughout this fun weekend is even easier with the list we have put together. Have a Boneyard Arts Festival event you’d like included here? Submit it to our event calendar now.
Some background on the Boneyard Arts Festival, according to its website: Presented every spring by 40 North, the Boneyard Arts Festival is a three-day event showcasing the broad range of creative activity flourishing in our community. Its goal is to bring together local artists, businesses and organizations for a special event showcasing the art of Champaign County. You can learn all about the Boneyard Arts Festival on the website here, or visit the festival Facebook page.
The vast majority of Boneyard Festival Events are family-friendly. But as we all know, some are more family-friendly than others; some you will find on the chambanamoms.com events calendar, others you won’t and some will be included with a designation of “18+” or “21+”. Find a comprehensive list of Boneyard events here in the quick guide.
These venues listed below have live performances or interactive events to keep your kiddos occupied.
A few exceptions: venues displaying local children’s artwork, because who doesn’t want to see their friends’ artwork? Best of all, they are all FREE (of course artwork will be available for purchase everywhere, so be prepared).
2026 Boneyard Festival Events:
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Teen Night at the Art Museum
Krannert Art Museum, Time: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Calling all teens! Join in for a Teen Night at the Art Museum featuring live music, artmaking, activities, and food for young people, ages 13–18, as part of the Boneyard Arts Festival. Explore our galleries and flex your creative muscles in this teen-focused night at the museum! View the latest…read more…
Friday, April 10, 2026
Boneyard Arts Festival
Champaign County, Time: All Day
April 10-12, 2026 Champaign County, IL Presented annually every spring by 40 North | 88 West, the Boneyard Arts Festival is a three-day event showcasing the broad range of creative activity flourishing in our community. Its goal is to bring together local artists, businesses and organizations for a special event…read more…
22nd Annual Festival of Quilts
Cunningham Children’s Home, Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Festival of Quilts features a vibrant quilt show showcasing hand- and machine-quilted pieces, from contemporary designs to antique quilts on loan for display, along with a quilt sale offering traditional and modern quilts and wall hangings. Guests can browse “Centerpieces and Such,” a collection of uniquely decorated items created…read more…
Boneyard Arts Festival at Seating and More | Meet the Artist
Seating and More, Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Seating and More is proud to spotlight the work of local artist Artbydirt for this year's Boneyard Arts Festival! He will be present for a Meet the Artist reception April 10th, 2pm-6pm and April 11th, 2pm-5pm.
Boneyard Arts Festival at Core Sample | Opening Reception
Core Sample, Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Be sure to add this stop to your Boneyard Arts Festival itinerary April 10-12. 15 artists in one location displaying painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, and sculpture. Opening reception Friday, April 10, 5-8pm.
Bandoneon Massacre
Spurlock Museum, Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Bandoneon Massacre presents a program that spans nearly a century of tango. The performance features music from the 1930s—tango’s “Golden Age”—alongside contemporary works for tango string orchestra from the 2020s. Through lively rhythms, expressive melodies, and modern ensemble textures, the concert highlights both the rich tradition and ongoing evolution of…read more…
The “Growing Together” Art Show Opening Receptin
The Crow, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The “Growing Together” Art Show is coming to The Crow at 110 on Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11. Join in for a vibrant celebration of creativity, community, and resilience. Be part of the opening reception on Friday from 6 to 8 PM and experience an evening filled with…read more…
Art @ Boneyard Boulders Opening Reception
Boneyard Boulders, Time: 7:00 pm
Color & Form A Diverse art exhibit with 20+ Artists Opening Reception 7pm Friday, April 10 Gallery Hours Friday 7-10pm Saturday & Sunday 12-10pm
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Boneyard Arts Festival
Champaign County, Time: All Day
April 10-12, 2026 Champaign County, IL Presented annually every spring by 40 North | 88 West, the Boneyard Arts Festival is a three-day event showcasing the broad range of creative activity flourishing in our community. Its goal is to bring together local artists, businesses and organizations for a special event…read more…
22nd Annual Festival of Quilts
Cunningham Children’s Home, Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Festival of Quilts features a vibrant quilt show showcasing hand- and machine-quilted pieces, from contemporary designs to antique quilts on loan for display, along with a quilt sale offering traditional and modern quilts and wall hangings. Guests can browse “Centerpieces and Such,” a collection of uniquely decorated items created…read more…
Boneyard Arts Festival | Pottery Sale
CU Potters Club Studio, Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Come by the CU Potters Club studio next Saturday, April 11th to shop their Boneyard Arts pottery sale! All sale proceeds go towards supporting their not-for-profit club. Saturday, April 11 9am-4pm
U-C Books to Prisoners Benefit Book Sale
Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center, Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Stop by the Spring Benefit Book Sale at this year's Boneyard Arts Festival! Shop a variety of genres from children's, to history, to fantasy and support their mission to send books to prisoners across Illinois! website: www.books2prisoners.org.
Craft League Collab at the Orpheum Theater
Orpheum Theater, Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
The Craft League Collab is an art experience partnering over 30 artists working in a variety of mediums, to blend their different styles, creating works of art that are truly unique. Saturday, April 11 10am-6pm Sunday, April 12 10am-4pm
Dixon Graphics Screen Printing
Dixon Graphics Screen Printing, Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Choose your design, pick a t-shirt, screen print it yourself and take it home! No charge, while supplies last. This is a Boneyard Arts Festival event.
Doodle with Ralph
Pour Bros. Craft Taproom, Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Ralph Roether‘s ongoing gallery along with new work and Doodle with Ralph from 1-4 p.m. on Sat! Markers and napkins provided. This is a Boneyard Arts Festival event.
Improvisers Exchange: Sonic Location
Krannert Art Museum, Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Apr 11, 2026 - 1–3pm Come experience immersive sound as you view artworks at Krannert Art Museum! Members of Improvisers Exchange Ensemble will create soundscapes within Krannert Art Museum’s galleries through site-specific solo performance and collective improvisation in reflection and response to artwork on display. Museum visitors are invited to…read more…
Live Botanical Design Demo
Texture Home, Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Live Botanical Design Demo with Luscious Leaves (Sat 1-4p); Abstract paintings and figure drawings by Farah Kesseiri. This is a Boneyard Arts Festival event.
Poetry Reading
Jane Addams Book Shop, Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Members of the Illinois State Poetry Society, Champaign-Urbana Poetry Group and guests will read new and selected works. This is a Boneyard Arts Festival event.
April PostMark Urbana - Boneyard Art Festival
The Urbana Free Library, Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Join 40 North and the Urbana Arts & Culture program to celebrate the Boneyard Arts Festival at PostMark Urbana! Enjoy music, activities, and more! PostMark is a monthly Downtown Urbana event after the farmer's market where you can enjoy live music and children’s activities. At each month’s main hub location,…read more…
Boneyard Arts Festival at Seating and More | Meet the Artist
Seating and More, Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Seating and More is proud to spotlight the work of local artist Artbydirt for this year's Boneyard Arts Festival! He will be present for a Meet the Artist reception April 10th, 2pm-6pm and April 11th, 2pm-5pm.
Elementary "Flash Mob" Performance
Lincoln Square Mall, Time: 2:00 pm
Elementary students from Leal, King, Yankee Ridge, DPW, & Thomas Paine will perform a “flash mob” dance. South wing of Lincoln Square Mall & Courthouse. This is a Boneyard Arts Festival event.
Fine Arts Showcase with Urbana's Elementary Schools
The Urbana Free Library, Time: 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Join students from multiple elementary schools in Urbana as they perform music and more, showcasing what they have been learning in their fine arts classes and choirs! The Library is committed to making programs accessible for all. If you need an accommodation to attend a program, please let the Library…read more…
Paint Along with Artist Leslie Kimble
Exile on Main Street, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Leslie Kimble will be painting a mobile mural with live music from Dave Pride. Community members can paint along from 3-5 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Boneyard Arts Festival
Champaign County, Time: All Day
April 10-12, 2026 Champaign County, IL Presented annually every spring by 40 North | 88 West, the Boneyard Arts Festival is a three-day event showcasing the broad range of creative activity flourishing in our community. Its goal is to bring together local artists, businesses and organizations for a special event…read more…
Craft League Collab at the Orpheum Theater
Orpheum Theater, Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Craft League Collab is an art experience partnering over 30 artists working in a variety of mediums, to blend their different styles, creating works of art that are truly unique. Saturday, April 11 10am-6pm Sunday, April 12 10am-4pm
Boneyard Arts Festival | Space Bazaar
The Space, Time: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Art | Local Vendors | Food & Beverage | Music April 12 noon-5pm
CU Community Fab Lab Activities
CU Community Fab Lab, Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Family friendly tabled activities for all ages providing insight into the resources available to the public; artwork by Samantha J. Jones. This is a Boneyard Arts Festival event.
Forest Flow: Boneyard Interactive Paint & Dance
Elks Lake Pavilion, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Come out to the Lake of the Woods to dance and express yourself at this Boneyard Arts Festival event. All are welcome to enjoy music and let their creativity flow. The music will be selected by featured boneyard artists in collaboration with a DJ performance by sparr. View acme.nadir as…read more…