
Farewell to another month and hello to the excitement of so much fall fun
Families can choose from many events and activities happening this weekend in Champaign-Urbana
What a strange weather month. What mostly felt like summer, now seems like it wants to slide into fall, but time will tell if we feel that “officially fall” feeling or not. Ready or not, here comes October, and with it comes everything Halloween, pumpkins, football and fall festivity. Check out our list of Halloween events and activities, as we will be talking about these more and more every week throughout October (but you can begin planning now).
All kinds of fall favs – Apples, Pumpkins and Corn Mazes Near Champaign-Urbana
Chambanamoms thanks One Week Boutique for presenting this weekend’s planner
One Week Boutique is the largest pop-up, seasonal baby & kids consignment sale in central Illinois!
Fall/Winter Sale Info: September 26-28 at Leonhard Center in Champaign (map)
Sell and shop everything your kids need at HUGE savings! Hundreds of families sell their gently used children’s & maternity clothing, shoes, toys, baby gear, furniture and more. Clothing sizes range from Newborn to Size 14/16, and average clothing prices are $3-$6 per hanger, most with multiple items!
All clothing and shoes are inspected before being accepted and all clothing is hung up and separated by gender and size for easy shopping! From strollers and baby blankets to books and toys, One Week Boutique has savings waiting for YOU!
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram.

A few events to check out this weekend
Looking for something to do with your family? You’ve come to the right place! Our events calendar aggregates family-friendly events happening in the Champaign-Urbana metro area. We know you’re busy and looking for a bang for your buck, so we put an emphasis on including free and low-cost events that you can plan to attend on the fly. Please note that events are subject to change without notice.
Find the complete chambanamoms.com event calendar by clicking here now.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Centennial Homecoming Parade
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Centennial High School
Tsukimi (Moonviewing) in the Arboretum
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Japan House
Outdoor Movie Night - The Iron Giant
Time: 6:45 pm - 8:45 pm
Anita Purves Nature Center
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Crop Sciences Harvest Open House
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Crop Sciences Research and Education Center
Central Illinois Bat Festival - Daytime Hours
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Anita Purves Nature Center
Market Street Oktober Fest
Time: 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Pour Bros. Craft Taproom
Sunday, September 27, 2026
University of Illinois Homecoming 5K, Fountain Dyeing and Pancake Breakfast
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Alice Campbell Alumni Center
Sit, Stitch, and Socialize
Time: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Spurlock Museum of World Cultures
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Oregon | FamILLy Sunday | Senior Day
Time: 1:00 pm
Demirjian Park
Remember, many sporting events and outdoor activities are subject to change without notice or at the last minute. Check with event organizers when in doubt before heading out to an event.
Youth Literature Festival
Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Come out for the Youth Literature Festival – a free, family-friendly day of author presentations, crafts and activities, book sales and signings, and live performances.
For more information: Website

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch
Gather your family, enjoy the crisp orchard air, and spark a lifelong love for agriculture! Bring the family out for a morning of hands-on discovery at Curtis Orchard during Farm Bureau Ag Learning Day! Specially crafted for young explorers ages 4–10 (though all ages are welcome), this engaging event features interactive, agriculture-themed activity stations designed to teach, play, and spark genuine curiosity about the world of farming.
Kids who complete every activity station will win a Prize Certificate for the Land of Oz Activity Area to keep the farm adventure going strong all afternoon.
Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the covered party areas (located just past the Country Store)
Please note: All children must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Standard admission is required for entry into the Land of Oz Activity Area.
For more information: Website

Children’s Discovery Museum
The Children’s Discovery Museum’s Annual Day of Play Presented by PNC, turns Uptown Normal into one giant playground! Discovery free, all-ages activites des activities for children, families and caregivers to play and learn together.
Launched in 2004, Day of Play embodies the Museum’s mission “to be the destination for power play-inspired learning for all” by encouraging children to turn off their screens and play outside. PNC’s sponsorship includes PNC Grow Up Great resources.
Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Uptown Normal
PNC’s support allows the Museum to present the event at no charge for families and offer same-day reduced admission at the Museum until 5 p.m.
For more information: Website

Urbana’s Night Market at the Square
Come out for Urbana’s Night Market at the Square. Enjoy food, shopping, and live music. Bring a chair, sit back and relax, and enjoy performances by local and regional bands. The Night Market will take place Thursdays in September from 6 – 8 p.m. Night Market is at the corner of Illinois St. and Vine St. in the SW parking lot of Lincoln Square – right where the Saturday market takes place.
For more information: Website

I-Power Gymnastics and Ninja
Looking for a date night? Register your kiddos for I-Power’s next parents’ night out event! September 26, 6-9 p.m. The fun will include playtime & games in the gym, pizza, juice & dessert. $40 for the first child, $25 for each additional sibling. Advance registration required.
For more information and to register now: Website

UIUC Astronomy Department
Icko Iben Jr. Lecture Series in Astronomy
Wednesday, September 30 7 – 8 p.m.
This is the Astronomy Department’s special lecture series. They will have Dr. David Charbonneau from Harvard University as their invited speaker. Dr. Charbonneau will discuss Exoplanets and Stellar Physics.
For more information: Website

Clue – Live on Stage at State Farm Center
Wednesday, October 7, 7:30 p.m.
Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.
Note: This is not a musical.
Get your tickets now: Website

United Way of Champaign County
FREE developmental screenings are available for children from birth to age five in Champaign County, offering families helpful insights into how their child is growing and developing. These screenings look at areas like communication, social skills, and motor skills and are a simple way to check in on your child’s progress and connect with support if needed.
Offered through a partnership between Birth to Five Illinois, United Way of Champaign County, the Champaign County Home Visiting Consortium, and local schools, screenings are accessible and family-friendly.
Learn more and find out how to schedule a screening that works for you now.
For more information: Website





