Champaign-Urbana in the summer means free and cheap outdoor concerts galore
Many of these are family friendly, so bring the kids along for some live music in Champaign, Urbana and beyond
What’s better than relaxing outside listening to live music on a nice summer evening? How about listening to free (or cheap) live music?
This summer — and spring, and fall — there are dozens of opportunities in the Champaign-Urbana area to take in free outdoor concerts with your family. We’ve listed as many as we can find below.
chambanamoms thanks Allerton Park & Retreat Center for presenting this guide
Ready to be a kid again?! Camp Lost Garden at Allerton Park might just be the place for you! Disconnect for a weekend and take time for good old-fashioned fun, relaxation, and adventure! Campers will enjoy classic camp activities like arts and crafts, group games/races, campfires (with stories and s’mores!), nature hikes, and more! In some cases, these kid-inspired activities come with an adult twist (e.g., bloody mary bar, cocktail crafting workshop, “boots and brews” hike, etc.) Learn more and find the complete schedule on the website.
Free (and cheap!) summer outdoor concerts in the Champaign-Urbana area
Settings range from neighborhood parks to city streets to festivals. Click on the links to find the detailed schedule for each venue. We will also include spring and fall concerts, as outdoor music is a treat any time we have the chance to catch it!
We will be adding to this constantly, so keep checking back. If you know of a concert you’d like to see on this list, take a moment to submit it to our events calendar presented by OSF HealthCare and we’ll get it on here.
Friday, May 31, 2024
Farmer City Heritage Days
Downtown Farmer City, 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
Farmer City Heritage Days includes live entertainment, a carnival, a free community dinner, craft and food vendors, car show, cornhole tournament, 5K/Fun Run, free kids activities and much more.
Friday, September 6, 2024
Arcola Broomcorn Festival
Arcola, All Day
Arcola celebrates its rich heritage each year with the Broomcorn Festival. The “Broomcorn Capital of the World” hosts this 3 day festival in historic downtown Arcola. While in town, check out all the craft and food vendors, Broom Tent with live broom making demonstrations, 5k/10k annual race, and a huge…read more…
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