Champaign–Urbana
Around Champaign–Urbana
Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Illinois · 242k people
Champaign–Urbana
Locals say Chambana · “Chambana”
Champaign · Urbana
Cornfields, campus, and the Illini roar.
Illini OrangeIllini Blue
Welcome to Chambana, where the cornfields meet cutting-edge research and classic college spirit. Whether you're here for the Illini, the food, or the friendly small-town vibe, you'll find a place that feels like home.
Clubs for Champaign–Urbana
No clubs for Champaign–Urbana yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Champaign–Urbana. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Champaign–Urbana. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- University of Illinois Quad Central green space surrounded by historic academic buildings.
- State Farm Center Arena for Illini basketball and concerts.
- Memorial Stadium Football stadium with iconic east and west stands.
- Allerton Park and Retreat Center Formal gardens and sculpture park in Monticello.
- Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Major performing arts venue with multiple theaters.
- Japan House Traditional Japanese tea house and gardens in Urbana.
- Outdoors Bike the Kickapoo Rail Trail
- Outdoors Hike at Allerton Park
- With kids Orpheum Children's Science Museum
- With kids University of Illinois Arboretum
- Evenings Green Street bars
- Evenings The Canopy Club
- Locals love Campus coffee shops
- Locals love Green Street bars
Through the year
- Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon April Spring marathon and half-marathon through campus and downtown.
- Boneyard Arts Festival April Multi-venue arts festival showcasing local artists and musicians.
- Pygmalion Festival September Independent music and tech festival with national acts.
- Urbana Sweetcorn Festival August Downtown Urbana celebration with sweet corn, food vendors, and live music.
- Champaign County Fair July County fair with rides, livestock, and local exhibits.
Champaign-Urbana has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The best times to be out are late spring and early fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “Chambana”
- Nickname for Champaign-Urbana.
- “The Quad”
- The main quad on campus.
- “Green Street”
- The bar district on Green Street.
- “The U of I”
- The University of Illinois.
Getaways
- Danville Historic downtown and Vermilion River.
- Decatur Lake Decatur and Scovill Zoo.
- Charleston Eastern Illinois University and Lincoln-Douglas sites.
- Bloomington Downtown shops and the Illinois Wesleyan campus.
Local flavour
Teams
- Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Division I
Also rooting for Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Maid-Rite loose meat sandwiches Local chain with a longstanding Champaign location
- Papa Del's deep dish pizza Iconic local pizza institution
- Illini tailgate brats and burgers Game-day cookout staple
Where people go
- The University of Illinois Quad Central green space and campus heart
- State Farm Center Arena for Illini basketball and events
- Cornfields and flat prairie Dominant landscape of the region
- Downtown Champaign and Urbana Local shops, bars, and eateries
Heritage and traditions
Champaign-Urbana is proud of its blend of a world-class university and a down-to-earth prairie town, with a vibrant arts scene, a strong tradition of innovation, and a welcoming, diverse community.
This time of year in Champaign–Urbana
- CU Folk & Roots Festival October Folk music performances in October.
- CU Folk & Roots Festival October Folk and roots music performances across venues.
Say it like a local: “U of I” — University of Illinois
Festivals
- Roger Ebert's Film Festival (Ebertfest) April Annual film festival at the Virginia Theatre celebrating cinema.
- CU Folk & Roots Festival October Folk and roots music performances across venues.
- Champaign-Urbana International Festival April Showcases global cultures with food, music, and dance.
- CU Pride Fest June Celebrates LGBTQ+ community with parade and events.
Landmarks with a story
- Virginia Theatre Historic 1921 theater, home of Ebertfest.
- Spurlock Museum World cultures museum with artifacts from around the globe.
- Islamic Center of Champaign-Urbana Serves the local Muslim community with religious and cultural programs.
- Hillel Jewish student center and community gathering place.
- St. Patrick's Catholic Church Historic church in Urbana with a long local presence.
- Chanute Air Museum Located at the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, preserves aviation history.
Food traditions
- Illini Dairy ice cream The University of Illinois Dairy Plant has been making ice cream for decades, a campus favorite.
- Local craft beer A thriving brewery scene with many taprooms and seasonal releases.
Music and arts
- Indie/emo rock scene Home to influential bands like American Football, Braid, and Hum.
- Krannert Center for the Performing Arts World-class venue hosting theater, dance, and music.
- Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra Professional orchestra performing classical and contemporary works.
- Art Theater Independent cinema with a focus on art-house and foreign films.
A little history
- 1867 University of Illinois founded
- 1850s Illinois Central Railroad brought growth
- 1917 Chanute Air Force Base established
- 1952 ILLIAC computer built at UIUC
- 1993 Mosaic web browser developed at UIUC
Rivalries
- Illinois vs. Northwestern Big Ten football rivalry, often decides the Land of Lincoln Trophy.
- Illinois vs. Missouri Braggin' Rights basketball game in St. Louis.
- Champaign vs. Urbana Friendly rivalry over which downtown is better.
- Game day Tailgating at Memorial Stadium
- Game day Marching Illini
- Outdoors Fish at Homer Lake
- Outdoors Golf at University of Illinois Golf Course
- With kids Spurlock Museum
- With kids Art Theater
People speak with a typical Midwestern accent, often using 'pop' for soda, 'you guys' for plural, and referring to the area as 'Chambana'. They also say 'U of I' for the university and 'The Quad' for the main campus lawn.
Only here
- Abraham Lincoln practiced law in Urbana.
- The Boneyard Creek runs through campus, often the site of playful pranks.
- The nickname 'Chambana' combines Champaign and Urbana.
- The Illini are named after the Illinois Confederation.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'Chambana' – it's the local nickname for the twin cities.
- Get a bike – the flat terrain and bike lanes make cycling easy.
- Be prepared for cold winters and hot, humid summers.
- Try the local food: Maid-Rite loose meat sandwiches, Papa Del's deep dish, and Illini Dairy ice cream.
- Use the MTD bus system – it's free for students and efficient.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Champaign–Urbana area
Nearby
Every areaDanvilleIllinoisWhere the corn meets the skyDe Witt CountyIllinoisSmall towns, big skies, and friendly faces.TuscolaIllinoisWhere the harvest is golden and the welcome is warm.DecaturIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the heartlandCharlestonIllinoisSmall-town warmth under endless skies.ParisIllinoisHeart of the Illinois prairieBloomington–NormalIllinoisHeart of the Corn Belt, home of the RedbirdsPontiacIllinoisPrairie roots, Route 66 spirit
Champaign-Urbana, IL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.