Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Patricia Bradford talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m., and Thursdays at 5:44 p.m.
Thursday, August 7
Illinois State Fair
Location: State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL
Details: Runs through August 17. Includes carnival rides, livestock shows, parades and more.
https://statefair.illinois.gov/
Kids on the Quad
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Main Quad, Urbana, IL
Details: Scavenger hunt challenge, lawn games and a movie screening of Lilo and Stitch. Presented by Christie Clinic and ChambanaMoms.
https://www.chambanamoms.com/events/christie-clinic-presents-kids-on-the-quad/
Fighting Illini Women’s Soccer vs Marquette Exhibition Match
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Demirjian Park, Champaign, IL
Details: First match of the season. All home games are free.
https://fightingillini.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule/2025
Friday, August 8
7th Annual Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Location: Bunny’s Tavern, Urbana, IL
Details: Two-day festival featuring live music, raffles, and more. The event is free and donations are welcome. Also on Saturday, August 9 from 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Presented by Prairie Crossroads Blues Society.
https://www.prairiecrossroadsblues.org/
Champaign-Urbana Days
Location: Douglass Park, Champaign, IL
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Details: Multi-day event of live music, activities, food and local vendors offering free school supplies and more. Also on Saturday, August 9 from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. & Sunday, August 10 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
https://champaignparks.org/event/champaign-urbana-days-cu-days/2025-08-08
The Laramie Project
Location: Parkland College Second Stage (black box theater), Champaign, IL
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Details: This play shares how a violent hate crime just outside of Laramie, Wyoming impacted the surrounding community and sparked conversations worldwide. Part of Twin City Theatre Company’s season. Runs for two weekends through August 17. Friday & Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m., Sunday performances at 2:00 p.m.
https://twincitytheatreco.ludus.com/index.php
Saturday, August 9
Art at the Market
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Urbana Market at the Square, Urbana, IL
Details: A beading activity during the market.
https://urbanamarket.org/
The Biggest Little Farm
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
Details: The Biggest Little Farm film follows John and Molly Chester, who trade city living for farmland. Special farmer’s market with local and regional vendors and WILL-TV’s Mid American Gardener host, Tinisha Spain. Presented by Illinois Public Media.
https://thevirginia.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1058
Sunday, August 10
Kid’s Piano-Palooza
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Robeson Room C in the Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL
Details: Young music makers (ages 5-14) and their grown-ups can enjoy free mini piano classes, hands-on piano crafts and more.
https://virtuosopianolessons.com/events/piano-palooza-2025
Kalen Mxrcus
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Cast Iron Pub, Tuscola, IL
Details: Enjoy live music by an artist from Effingham, IL.
https://www.kalenmxrcus.com/
Some of the groups mentioned here may be financial supporters of Illinois Public Media, but they do not influence who is included on this list.
If you have information about upcoming events, email us before Mondays at 8 a.m. at will-call@illinois.edu