WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Sep. 18 – Sep. 21

Pumpkins sit on top of hay bales
Celebrate the 50th Vermilion River Fall Festival with pumpkins, vendors, live music, and more.

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, September 18

Riggs Oktoberfest
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: 
Riggs Beer Company
Details: Enjoy live music, food trucks, and more through Sunday, September 21st.
https://www.riggsbeer.com/events/riggs-oktoberfest-2/

Pygmalion
Time: 
6:00 p.m.
Location: Stage 5, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana, IL
Details: Celebrate opening night of this three day festival with Carmen Giménez. Enjoy live performances, presentations, and more throughout Champaign and Urbana through Saturday, September 20.
https://thisispygmalion.com/

Friday, September 19

Vermilion River Fall Festival
Time: 
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: 
Ellsworth Park, Danville, IL
Details: 
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of this festival with local vendors, pumpkin sales, live music, and more. Runs through Sunday, September 21.
https://www.cityofdanville.org/367/Vermilion-River-Fall-Festiva

Three Minute Hug (Film) 
Time: 
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: 
Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL
Details:
View a 24-minute documentary about a families separated by the U.S.-Mexico border, followed by a discussion facilitated by The Immigration Project about the impact of the immigration system on families and the local reflection of the themes presented in the film. Film starts at 5 pm.
https://www.immigrationproject.org/

Saturday, September 20

The Bizarre Bazaar
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Urbana Free Library, Urbana, IL
Details: Check out intriguing collections of the unusual and unexpected from Champaign County archives and museums.
https://urbanafreelibrary.libnet.info/event/14156808

Market Street Oktoberfest
Time:
1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Pour Bros. Craft Taproom, Champaign, IL
Details: Enjoy fall seasonal brews, live music, and more.
https://www.pourbroschampaign.com/events-at-pb

Cirque du Canines
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Kirkland Fine Arts Center, Millikin St, Decatur, IL
Details: Enjoy performances and tricks by canine and human performers.
https://millikin.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=178

Sunday, September 21

CineSonic: The Music Film Festival
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Savoy 16, Savoy, IL
Details: View films about music at this new film festival by the Chambana Film Society. Runs through Monday, September 22.
https://2025cinesonic.chambanafilmsociety.org/

S’mores and Stars
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: Porter Family Park, Champaign, IL
Details: Learn about the New Moon, Saturn, and other stars from a local astronomer. Bring your own food to roast over the open fire.
https://champaignparks.org/event/smores-and-stars/

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 8:00 a.m. at will-call@illinois.edu

Kimberly Schofield

Kimberly Schofield is the host of Morning Edition and covers arts and entertainment for Illinois Newsroom. When she is not covering the arts, she is performing in plays and musicals or running the streets of CU.