Fall into fun with Champaign Park District! This season, we’re offering a variety of free events for all ages to enjoy.
Halloween Costume Drive
Less than bewitched by last year’s Halloween outfits? Creating closet room for a new costume? Donate your old threads and give families a night of happy haunting! Infant-Adult sizes appreciated. Donation boxes are located at any Champaign Park District facility and donations will be accepted September 3 – October 2.
Looking for a new costume? Join us for the costume giveaway on October 5th!
Dodds Tennis Center Open House
Whether you’re a tennis pro or want to learn how to play for the first time, Dodds Tennis Center is the perfect destination for sharpening your skills and having fun. Attend our fall Open House to explore our facility, meet our coaches, and learn about our fall tennis clinics and workouts. Youth and adults of any skill level are welcome! A representative from Wilson will also be on-site to talk about all of your tennis needs.
Click the buttons below to sign up for FREE trial clinics and workouts!
Date: September 8
Time: 1-3pm
Location: Dodds Tennis Center
West Side Arts
Mark your calendars for September 15th, as West Side Arts event is set to take place at West Side Park. Presented by the Champaign Park District and 40 North, this free juried art festival is a celebration of local and regional talent. Art enthusiasts and curious minds alike are invited to immerse themselves in a diverse array of mediums, as artists showcase their masterpieces available for purchase. It’s a golden opportunity to engage with the artistic pulse of the region while supporting its talented creators. Don’t miss out on this enriching experience that promises to ignite inspiration and appreciation for the arts!
Date: September 15
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: West Side Arts
Bach’s Lunch Concerts
Performers of all styles and types play at our historic venue on select Fridays. We have an amazing line up this season with immensely talented artists providing a wide variety of music. Bring your lunch or purchase a box lunch through us from Michael’s Catering. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the music for FREE.
If you are interested in a lunch, please place your order by noon on the Wednesday prior to a performance at 217-398-2376. The menu is available at Springer Cultural Center or online at champaignparks.org/bachs-lunch.
Date: September 27, November 1, December 6
Time: 12-1pm
Location: Springer Cultural Center
The Great Pumpkin Hunt
Champaign and Urbana Park Districts have hidden Pumpkin and Halloween-themed rocks all over Champaign and Urbana this October during the Great Pumpkin Hunt. Get your detective gear ready and see how many you can find! Be sure to snap a picture and share your discoveries with us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts by tagging #CUpumpkinhunt.
Have fun hunting pumpkins this fall in our parks!
Date: October 1 – 31
Halloween Costume Giveaway
The collection drive is over! Time for you to choose from an assortment of cute and creepy costumes. Donation of items is not required to pick up a new costume.
The giveaway will begin promptly at 10am and will run until 12pm or until all costumes are gone.
Date: October 5
Time: 9 – 11am
Location: Douglass Community Center
Flannel Fest
Flannel Fest transforms West Side Park into a community hub of fall festivities. Prepare for the excitement of mustache contests, daring hot pepper eating challenges, and so much more! It’s a day filled with live lumberjack shows, local music, free games, hayrack rides, inflatables, and ice-cold beer to quench your thirst!
Test your lumberjack brawn with this one-mile fun run held during Flannel Fest featuring lumberjack challenges like log flips, crawls, and more!
Don’t forget to register for the Lumberjack Dash: October 12th, West Side Park 10am.
Date: October 12
Time: 11am-5pm
Location: West Side Park
Halloween Funfest
Presented by the Champaign and Urbana Park Districts in collaboration with Market Place Mall, this event has been delighting families for 30+ years. Children aged 12 and under can revel in the excitement of trick-or-treating throughout the mall, while enjoying Halloween-themed games and activities, plus a costume contest where participants can showcase their creativity, originality, and flair. Best of all, this event is entirely FREE!
Date: October 23
Time: 4-7pm
Location: Marketplace Mall
Nightmare on Grove Street
Join us for a ghoulishly good time at our kids’ Halloween event, where the spirits of fun and fright come alive! Get ready for a bewitching extravaganza filled with thrills, chills, and delightful spills!
Date: October 26
Time: 2-5pm
Location: Douglass Community Center
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos at this vibrant event hosted by the Champaign Park District. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of this festive holiday with colorful altars, live music, delicious Mexican cuisine, and engaging cultural activities. Join us in honoring and remembering loved ones in a joyful and meaningful celebration.
Date: November 2
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: Martens Center
Winter Nights at Prairie Farm
Enjoy holiday lights for FREE every Thursday – Sunday, starting November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025, from 5-9p at Prairie Farm. This will be an accessible experience featuring festive light displays throughout the farm. Complimentary hot chocolate will be available on Fridays and Saturdays (donations to support the event will be accepted on site and online).
Join us for opening night on November 22, 2024, to meet Santa, listen to carolers, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate. Donations encouraged to help support Winter Nights at Prairie Farm!
