The holidays provide us with a plethora of leisure time which can sometimes be hard to make the most of. However, the events around Champaign-Urbana are abundant, giving us plenty of choices to keep our calendars full. Options range from arts and crafts to musical entertainment to enchanted forests filled with colorful lights. This month has a lot in store for yourself, friends, or family, so here are some enjoyable ways to spend your break.
The Literary: Gift wrapping and gift bags workshop
Date(s): Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.
Location: 122 N Neil St, Champaign, IL
Settle down at the cozy book cafe on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in downtown Champaign. This event repurposes old holiday wrapping and bagging materials into something entirely new. Allowing you to artistically express yourself while also being practical.
There will be plenty of provided art supplies like paint, stamps, or paint pens. While you are crafting, there is a wide variety of drinks to choose from. You can find yourself indulging in hot chocolatey goodness or piping-hot caffeinated beverages. Workshop tickets are $25 per person, and the drinks are sold separately.
In addition to hands-on activities, the atmosphere is another resounding plus to your night. The cafe and bookstore staff are very friendly and attentive to your needs. From the sensory-friendly lighting, music and drinks to their vast book selection ranging from classic to contemporary works, it all amounts to an artsy workshop with a cozy and inviting environment. For more information, visit literarybookbar.com.
Trees and lights from around the world
Date(s): Dec. 7-21
Location: Downtown Urbana
Experience the cultural diversities all around the world in downtown Urbana. From Dec. 7 to 21, many businesses and organizations will be decorating their window art displays with trees from different cultures, whether that be pop culture or from places all over the world! For example, Siam Terrace is decorating a tree from Thailand for their display. Do not miss out on this chance to explore how various places in the world celebrate the winter season! More information can be found here.
Holiday GLOW + Showcase
Holiday Showcase date(s): Dec. 6-7
Holiday GLOW date(s): Dec. 6-7; 8-23; 26-31
Location: 515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL
Gather for some holiday activities and indulge in a plethora of lively activities at Allerton Park. The opening week kicks off on the weekend, Friday, Dec. 6, from 5-9 p.m. The Holiday GLOW lasts throughout December, while the showcase and entertainment lasts within opening week from Dec. 6-8. Their entry fees are $10 per vehicle. Celebrate the winter month with music, holiday markets, food and drinks, as well as gardens adorned in festive light displays.
Want more time to browse the markets? Luckily, the vendors are open much longer on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 12-8 p.m. Inside the park awaits plenty of products from 27 different artisans and businesses. Be ready to surround yourself with diverse products and handmade goodies whether it be baked goods, jewelry, locally crafted candles and soaps, or winter decorations.
For people looking to add to the festive feel, music will be on offer as well as mentioned previously. On Dec. 6, there will be two choir groups filling the air with serene vocals in the mansion courtyard at the brick wall garden from 5:30-8 p.m. Then on Dec. 7 the Allerton Mansion is holding a violin and piano performance from 12-3:15 p.m.
Visiting Allerton Park will provide many memorable activities packed with food, music, shopping and a great community. For more information or to contact organizers, visit their holiday event calendar.
Firedoll Studio
Date(s): Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: 29 E Main St, Champaign, IL
If you enjoy handmade keepsakes or gifts, then Firedoll Studio is the place to pay a visit.. The candle workshop and staff are suited for and have a warm, welcoming attitude for persons and groups alike, and have extremely accessible walk-ins Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Light up the winter season with a soft candlelight personally crafted by your hands starting at $30 per person. Pick-up is free and shipping is an additional $8 fee.
Partake in a gentle sensory experience by smelling your favorite essential oils and using flowers or herbs as embellishments. There are plenty of drink options to warm your heart ranging from hot teas, coffees/espressos, and hot chocolates– house mocktails if you are feeling spicy and cocktails if you’re feeling spicier. For more information or to contact organizers, visit their site Firedoll Studio.
Ice skating
Date(s): Dec. 13-15
Location: 406 E Armory Ave, Champaign, IL
If you are looking to stay active over winter break, this event is perfect for you! The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an amazing ice rink on campus that will be open for the majority of winter break. Additionally, the ice rink has a sweater weather event from Dec. 13 through Dec 15., where skate rentals are free if you wear an ugly sweater. The entrance fee is $6 for non-University students, and children below four years old can skate free. Whether you need to de-stress after finals week, or if you just want to go with some friends, ice skating is a classic winter activity! More information, including times, can be found here.
“White Christmas” produced by Parkland Theatre
Date(s): Dec. 6-8; Dec.12-15
Location: 2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL
Want to get more of Parkland this winter break? Come out and support fellow Parkland students as they present “White Christmas.” This musical follows Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, along with Betty and Judy Haynes in a love story set after the events of World War II. The musical features many popular songs such as “Blue Skies”, “How Deep Is the Ocean” and “I Love a Piano.” Shows are available Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 12-15. Tickets cost $12.50 on opening night, with the following shows charging $25 per adult, $18 per student, military, or senior citizens and $12 for children under 12 years old. More information and purchase options can be found here and our preview of the show can be found here.
Candlelight Orchestra: Nutcracker string quartet
Date(s): Dec. 20 & 21, 8:45-9:45 p.m.
Location: 346 N Neil St, Champaign, IL
Celebrate the holidays with a pirouette and a grand jeté wonderfully illustrated by a live orchestra. On the weekend from Dec. 20- 21, come downtown to the Champaign Orpheum decked out with candlelights illuminating the walkway to the stage. For additional information and to purchase tickets which start at $23.20, click here.
Between marching wooden soldiers and graceful fairies, the Listeo String Quartet presents notable songs from “The Nutcracker” ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. There will also be timeless classics such as “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “The First Noël” and “O Holy Night” played skillfully at the violinists fingertips. A myriad of winter classics are performed within the 60-minute duration.
As the grand finale, the violinists will be playing selected songs from “The Nutcracker” ACT I and ACT II: “The Nutcracker,” “The March,” “Trepak,” “Russian Dance,” “Waltz of the Flowers,” and last but not least “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”
Christkindlmarke
Date(s): Nov. 22-Dec. 24
Location: Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL
One of the most famous winter events in Illinois, the Christkindlmarket, is an excellent option for anyone able to make the trip up to Chicago. Open every day from Nov. 22 to Dec. 24, the market hosts many festive and cultural activities, along with vendors selling various German food, drinks and handmade goods.
The Christkindlmarket has options for everyone, from kids to grandparents, and it is a great experience for families, friends or even just yourself. More information about this event can be found here. Additionally, be sure to research in advance for information about parking and special business hours on holidays.
Winter Farmers Market
Date(s): Saturdays 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. (closed Dec. 24 and Jan. 4)
Location: 201 Lincoln Sq. Urbana, IL
Looking for fresh produce, homemade artisan goods, or delicious baked goods? Come on over to the Winter Farmers Market! Every Saturday, with the exception of Dec. 24 and Jan. 4, many local vendors come out selling amazing products. With over 40 vendors each week, individuals are likely to find something that suits their interests. Come out to Lincoln Square Mall and support several of Chambana’s local businesses. More information can be found here.
There are countless ways to spend winter break. Start your personal adventures through twinkling gardens, rest at your local cafe or express creativity at local workshops. Whether you enjoy creating or finding entertainment, there are hidden gems to explore all around Champaign-Urbana.
