Experience Champaign-Urbana

06/01/2026

We CU belong in our Brilliant community. Happy Pride Month from Experience Champaign-Urbana! 🏳️‍🌈

06/01/2026

“From the deeply sublime to the joyously zany, the fearlessly innovative, the unsettling, and the heartwarming, our season offers an invitation to gather in shared discovery—to encounter artistry that challenges, comforts, and reminds us of the enduring power of live performance to connect us more deeply to one another and to the world around us.” -Krannert Center Director Mike Ross

Krannert Center’s 57th season begins on September 3 with "Celebrate Community!," Krannert's Opening Night Party recognizing the diversity Champaign-Urbana is known for.

06/01/2026

Celebrate America 250 in the Champaign-Urbana Area 🇺🇸

The celebration starts now! Check out our growing list of experiences from impressive Revolutionary War exhibits to Fourth of July celebrations.

Not to be missed- an incredible special exhibit at the Champaign Public Library featuring 21 authentic founding documents on display for the first time, from June 18-21: experiencecu.org/events/america-250-in-c-u-area

05/28/2026

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District makes the list! 9 ​​U.S. Cities With the Best Public Transportation—Besides New York City, by Travel + Leisure Magazine 🚌

Easy to access and inclusive, the MTD reflects our community's spirit of innovation with its "Go Green" initiatives producing a 100% low to zero emissions fleet.

"Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is an excellent example of how small cities can offer high-quality transit.”

Congratulations, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District!

Read more on why MTD stands out on: travelandleisure.com/us-cities-with-the-best-public-transportation-11983786

Photo credit: Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District
Travel + Leisure

05/28/2026

Live music on the streets, a wine walk, 20 years of Amish baked goods, old-time baseball, and historic trains—it’s all on tap this weekend in the Champaign-Urbana area! Carly and Terri run down just a few ideas to get out and explore.

Tune in at chambanaproud.com or wherever you podcast and start planning.🎧

This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Busey Bank
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation

05/27/2026

It's time for Friday Night Live! 🎸

Friday Night Live Champaign kicks off for the summer season on May 29, 6-9 pm with performances around Downtown Champaign.

See you all 3 weeks from tonight (Friday, May 29) for the kick off of Friday Night LIVE in downtown Champaign!!! Four locations, 8 bands, 6-9pm - summer here we come! 🤘☀️🍺🍷🍴🎤🎸
Proudly presented by 40 North 88 West with title sponsor Pour Bros. Craft Taproom Champaign!

FRIDAY, May 29th

Market & Taylor:
6pm: Vestiges – power pop & rock
7:30pm: Modern Drugs – Midwest pop

Neil & Park:
6pm: The Surreal Deal – 70's jam band
7:30pm: Rory Book and the Volumes – starkly unique Americana

Downtown Plaza:
6pm: Wildwood – bluegrass
7:30pm: Union Avenue – jump blues/rockabilly

Fremont & Main (next to The Space):
6pm: Carrie Sue & The Wood Burners – bluegrass/folk
7:30pm: The Chickadee Sermon – acoustic folk

Also featuring our special weekly kids’ activities: Bubbles from Joyfulbubbles & Balloon Twisting by Aaron's Party Balloons!

We also want to thank the City of Champaign - Municipal Government - without their support, Friday Night Live would not be possible! See less

05/26/2026

The Hot Rod Power Tour rolls into Rantoul on Tuesday, June 9—and we’re giving away FOUR single-day passes to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66! 🚗✨

Each pass includes:
Entry for one driver + one passenger
Onsite parking for one vehicle
A day with the largest road trip in the world!

To enter:
-Give us a follow
-Drop your favorite year/make/model in the comments

Classic muscle car? Luxury coupe? Vintage pickup? Let’s hear it!

Learn more about the Hot Rod Power Tour celebrating Route 66 in Rantoul at: experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events?event=22540

________
Contest ends May 29. Winners will be notified by DM. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook.




Hot Rod Magazine

Village Hall of Rantoul, IL

05/26/2026

Celebrate 20 years of The Homestead Bakery!

May 29–30, 9:00 AM–8:00 PM daily. Featuring bakery samples, giveaways, live music, Patches Pub, yard games, and more. 🥳

05/22/2026

We had another brilliant night welcoming new residents to the Champaign-Urbana area! So many good conversations, that we only had time to take one photo!

Thank you to The Venue CU for being an incredible host, Christie Clinic for generously sponsoring the event, and Mo’s Burrito’s for providing tasty tacos.

Look for our next event this fall! If you’re new to CU, connect with a member of the Chambana Welcome Crew at makeitcu.org/cwc.

Christie Clinic
The Venue CU
Mo's Burritos Bar & Grill