Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Adelyn Mui 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, December 11
Certified Organic: Celebrating the Legacy of Black Music
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Gallery Art Bar, Urbana, IL
Details: Celebrate Black arts and culture with a live band.
https://www.facebook.com/events/
Dot
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Station Theatre, Urbana, IL
Details: Attend this play by Colman Domingo about the love and hardships of family during the holiday season. Runs through December 21. Thursday — Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. Sunday performances at 2:00 p.m.
https://stationtheatre.ludus.com/index.php
Friday, December 12
Dial-A-Carol
Time: All day December 12 — December 18
Details: University of Illinois students volunteer to sing Christmas carols and other holiday tunes LIVE — on demand — over the phone. This 24/7 phone line will be going all week. Call 217-332-1882.
Merry Travelers & The Jaybirds
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Mahomet, IL
Details: Enjoy live feel-good tunes, hot drinks, and see “Night Lights” throughout the botanical garden.
https://www.champaignforests.org/events
Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Monticello Theatre Association, Monticello, IL
Details: Attend opening night of this play of monologies and ensemble pieces about women, clothes, and memory. Runs through December 20. Friday & Saturday performances at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 14 performance at 2:00 p.m.
https://monticellotheatre.org/productions/current-productions/2025-2/love-loss-and-what-i-wore/
The Way Down Wanderers
Time: Doors at 7:00 p.m.; Show at 8:00 p.m.
Location: Kenny’s Westside, Peoria, IL
Details: See the indie/folk band perform in their hometown.
https://wl.eventim.us/event/way-down-wanderers/668555?afflky=KennysWestside
Saturday, December 13
Book Signings with Local Authors
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ; 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ryburn Place Gifts and Gab, Normal, IL
Details: Meet Kathi Davidson, Melanie Verbout, and Jack Keefe, who will sign copies of their memoirs or book.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bpdn9v79Q/
Auditions: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Time: 10:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Location: DLO Musical Theatre, Danville, IL
Details: Audition for this musical that opens in April.
https://www.dlomusicaltheatre.com/joseph-dreamcoat/
It’s A Wonderful…Radio Show
Time: 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. on December 13 ; 2:00 p.m. on December 14
Location: 3rd floor of the Decatur Area Arts Council, Decatur, IL
Details: See and hear an adapted version of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” with live actors.
https://www.theatre7.org/
Winter Lights in Downtown Urbana
Time: 6:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Urbana, IL
Details: Stroll through downtown Urbana for an evening of lights and winter festivities.
https://www.urbanail.gov/community-development-services/page/winter-lights-2025
Sunday, December 14
A Celebration of Hanukkah: Lights and Latkes
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL
Details: Central Illinois’s brand new Reconstructing Judaism congregation at its first public event, including an electronic candle lighting and Jewish treats.
https://www.chambanamoms.com/events/a-celebration-of-hanukkah-lights-and-latkes/
Light and Joy — Carols for All
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Wesley United Methodist Church, Urbana, IL
Details: Join CU Sings: People’s Chorus for a seasonal concert.
https://www.facebook.com/events/
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.
Event dates and times may change. If you have information about upcoming events, email us before Mondays at 8:00 a.m. at will-call@illinois.edu.