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Produce at the Farmers Market
Champaign Farmers Market Logo
Land Connection Logo

Tuesdays

May - October

Downtown Plaza

Performer at Sound Bites
Sound Bites Logo

Thursdays
&
Sundays

Spring Session April & May

Fall Session September & October

Downtown Plaza

Crowds gathered on Market Street for Friday Night Live
Friday Night Live Logo

Fridays

May 29 - August 28

Downtown Champaign

Four Stages

Stage with performers at the Beat on Market Street
The Beat on Market Street Logo

Second
Saturdays 

June 13

July 11

August 8

September 12

Band performing at Firedoll Studio
Sound Check Logo

All year

Live Indoor Music at Local Businesses

Upcoming Downtown Events

  • Market Street Beer Fest 2026
    Market Street Beer Fest 2026
    Jun 06, 2026, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Pour Bros. Craft Taproom, 40 E University Ave, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    4th Annual Beer Fest on Market St. in Downtown Champaign is set! 20+ Breweries, Bands and a Food Truck! Music Line-up--Spatch (2:00-3:30); New Riders (4:00-5:30); Modern Drugs (6:00-7:00)
  • Sunday Soundbites : Final Spring Performance
    Sunday Soundbites : Final Spring Performance
    Jun 07, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Downtown Plaza, 320 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Come out to the Plaza on Sunday for family fun and live music. Games come out at noon, music from 2 PM - 3 PM. House band, TherUpY, brings featured artist and a new genre every week!
  • Interactive Games On The Plaza!
    Interactive Games On The Plaza!
    Multiple Dates
    1 day to the event
    Sun, Jun 07
    Jun 07, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Downtown Plaza, Downtown Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Every Sunday from 12–3 pm, enjoy Games on the Plaza in Downtown Champaign. Bring the family, grab lunch, and let the kids play before live music starts at 2pm!
  • The Beat on Market Street : Denim & Diamonds
    The Beat on Market Street : Denim & Diamonds
    Jun 13, 2026, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    Market Street Downtown Champaign, 114 N Market St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Champaign's hottest block party, The Beat on Market Street, returns! Stay tuned for the DJ and Band lineup announcement! More details below.
  • Pre-Game Before the Beat
    Pre-Game Before the Beat
    Multiple Dates
    7 days to the event
    Sat, Jun 13
    Jun 13, 2026, 7:00 PM – Jun 14, 2026, 12:00 AM
    Live Action Games, 111 N Market St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Pre-Game at The Beat starts before the music! Join Live Action Games for outdoor dominoes, spades, music, and PS5 Street Fighter battles before The Beat begins at 8 PM. Grab a drink from Pour Brothers, meet new people, and discover a gaming community you never knew you were missing!
  • Dancing and Discounts at Exile on Main
    Dancing and Discounts at Exile on Main
    8 days to the event
    Sun, Jun 14
    Jun 14, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    Exile on Main Street, 100 N Chestnut St #120, Champaign, IL 61820
    For the Culture is bringing the whole family out for an afternoon of live jazz music, dancing, fashion, bubbles, shopping, and community at Exile on Main Street. Enjoy family-friendly fun, a kids fashion show, and discounts on Black artists' vinyl records, CDs, posters, and more.
  • Juneteenth Fashion Show and Clothing Drive
    Juneteenth Fashion Show and Clothing Drive
    Jun 14, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    Needful Things- Corner of Chestnut&Main, 100 N Chestnut St, Champaign, IL 61820
    Step back into the Harlem Renaissance at this family-friendly Fashion Show & Clothing Drive featuring music, fashion, community, and a celebration of Black art and culture. Bring a clothing donation and help support local families while celebrating Black history. Happy Juneteenth Week!
  • Speed Networking Event and Fundraiser
    Speed Networking Event and Fundraiser
    19 days to the event
    Thu, Jun 25
    Jun 25, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
    Esquire Bar and Lounge, 106 N Walnut St, Champaign, IL 61820
    Join us for a Professional Black Networking Event & Transitional Housing Fundraiser focused on building connections, creating opportunities, and strengthening community. Meet local professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders while supporting a cause that makes a difference.
  • Pre-Game Before the Beat
    Pre-Game Before the Beat
    Multiple Dates
    35 days to the event
    Sat, Jul 11
    Jul 11, 2026, 7:00 PM – Jul 12, 2026, 12:00 AM
    Live Action Games, 111 N Market St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Pre-Game at The Beat starts before the music! Join Live Action Games for outdoor dominoes, spades, music, and PS5 Street Fighter battles before The Beat begins at 8 PM. Grab a drink from Pour Brothers, meet new people, and discover a gaming community you never knew you were missing!
  • The Beat on Market Street : A Night of Verzuz
    The Beat on Market Street : A Night of Verzuz
    Jul 11, 2026, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    Market Street Downtown Champaign, 114 N Market St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Themed late night block party featuring live music, DJ, games, prizes, food truck, and giveaways. More about the event below.
  • Paint and Sip at Caffeine RX
    Paint and Sip at Caffeine RX
    42 days to the event
    Sat, Jul 18
    Jul 18, 2026, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
    The Caffeine Rx, 107 N Walnut St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    For the Culture celebrates Black creativity at Paint & Sip at Caffeine RX. Enjoy a live DJ, guided painting, specialty drinks, cocktails, and a welcoming space to create, connect, and express yourself alongside friends, family, and community.
  • R and B Bingo at Hounds Rest
    R and B Bingo at Hounds Rest
    47 days to the event
    Thu, Jul 23
    Jul 23, 2026, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
    Hound's Rest, 120 N Walnut St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Sing along, test your music knowledge, and compete for prizes at R&B Bingo. Enjoy great music, community, and a night filled with classic hits, friendly competition, and plenty of opportunities to show off your R&B expertise!
  • Afro Taste and Tell A Stango x Martinelli's Collab
    Afro Taste and Tell A Stango x Martinelli's Collab
    Jul 28, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Martinelli's Market - Bakery & Deli, 500C N Walnut St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    For The Culture is bringing you to South Africa. Experience the flavors, music, and stories of Zambia at Afro Taste & Tell. Enjoy live African music, storytelling, desserts from Martinelli's Market, food from Stango Cuisine, and a celebration of culture, community, and connection!
  • The Beat on Market Street : Family Reunion
    The Beat on Market Street : Family Reunion
    Aug 08, 2026, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    Market Street Downtown Champaign, 114 N Market St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Themed late night block party featuring live music, DJ, games, prizes, food truck, and giveaways. Entertainment will be a mix of R&B, Neo Soul, Funk, and Jazz from the live band and the DJ will be spinning Old School R&B, Old School Hip Hop, & House Music. More about the event below.
  • Pre-Game Before the Beat
    Pre-Game Before the Beat
    Multiple Dates
    63 days to the event
    Sat, Aug 08
    Aug 08, 2026, 7:00 PM – Aug 09, 2026, 12:00 AM
    Live Action Games, 111 N Market St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Pre-Game at The Beat starts before the music! Join Live Action Games for outdoor dominoes, spades, music, and PS5 Street Fighter battles before The Beat begins at 8 PM. Grab a drink from Pour Brothers, meet new people, and discover a gaming community you never knew you were missing!
  • Comedy Show and Open Mic at The Literary
    Comedy Show and Open Mic at The Literary
    69 days to the event
    Fri, Aug 14
    Aug 14, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    The Literary, 122 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    For the Culture is celebrating Black humor, storytelling, and the way laughter brings people together. Through good times and hard times, comedy has always helped us connect, relate, heal, and build community. Join us at The Literary for a night of laughs, open mic performances, and community.
  • A Celebration of Black Elegance at Hounds Court
    A Celebration of Black Elegance at Hounds Court
    Aug 22, 2026, 8:00 PM – Aug 23, 2026, 12:00 AM
    Hound's Court, 120 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    For the Culture is giving you a reason to pull out your freshest pair of Ones or Jordans, coordinate outfits with your boo, or finally wear that beautiful gown that's been hanging in your closet waiting for the right occasion. Join us as we celebrate Black elegance, style, confidence, and culture.
  • Cooking With Soul at Neil St Blues
    Cooking With Soul at Neil St Blues
    79 days to the event
    Mon, Aug 24
    Aug 24, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Neil St. Blues, 301 N Neil St #106, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    For the Culture is bringing you Cooking with Soul, a unique opportunity to support future entrepreneurs while enjoying an upscale soul food dining experience. Enjoy live music and $5 soul food plates created by local students under the guidance of Neil St. Blues owner Gayle Starks.
  • Sneaker ball and Sneaker Drive at Punch!
    Sneaker ball and Sneaker Drive at Punch!
    85 days to the event
    Sun, Aug 30
    Aug 30, 2026, 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
    Punch! Bar & Lounge, Located in the Hyatt Place, 217 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    For the Culture invites you to the Youth Sneaker Ball, a night where style meets purpose. Put on your best sneakers, dress to impress, and bring a pair of brand-new or gently used sneakers in a gift bag to support local school-aged youth while enjoying music, dancing, and community.
  • Mind and Soul Mental Health Awareness Dinner
    Mind and Soul Mental Health Awareness Dinner
    92 days to the event
    Sun, Sep 06
    Sep 06, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
    Neil St. Blues, 301 N Neil St #106, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    For the Culture invites you to Mind & Soul: Mental Health Awareness Dinner celebrating resilience, healing, and the people who continue to uplift our community. Enjoy free dinner, live speaker, community recognition awards, and an evening dedicated to honoring stories of Black grace & perseverance.
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