Upcoming Downtown Events

Spend your lunch downtown with live music from Anika Emily on the Downtown Plaza during Sound Bites Lunch! Featuring acoustic pop covers, original music, and smooth vocals inspired by pop, R&B, alternative rock, and hip hop, Anika brings the perfect laid back soundtrack to your lunch break downtown.

Join us for the final Spring Session Sound Bites Happy Hour show with a fabulous jazz band, The Broadmoor Quartet. Sound Bites will return in September for a Fall Session.

Join us for an evening of disco, movement, connection, and unapologetic joy at The Dollhouse Disco, our recurring dance night tucked inside Fire Doll Studio’s intimate listening room.

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)

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!

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!

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 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!

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.

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!

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 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!

Themed late night block party featuring live music, DJ, games, prizes, food truck, and giveaways. More about the event below.

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.

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!

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!

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 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!

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.

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.