BaseLocal

Champaign’s Favorite Newsletter

Champaign news, events, and recommendations delivered free every morning.

Champaign, IL
13Events this week
7Free things to do
88New spots
99New stories

● Checked this morning, before the 6 AM send.

This week in Champaign

Five picks from this week's calendar. See all 13 events, day by day →

Friday Night Lights

Friday 6pm · It's a Wrap Automotive · Free

Summer Prairie Skies

Friday 7pm · William M. Staerkel Planetarium

Champaign Comic, Toy, & TCG Card Show Sept 12-13

Saturday 11am · Market Place Shopping Center · Free

Board Game Demo Day

Saturday 2pm · The Scratching Post

West Side Arts

Sunday 10am · West Side Park · Free

New in Champaign

Places that opened, reopened, or earned a mention this month — the ones we'd go back to.

a1 arch salon

Beauty

Brows worth bragging about: Champaign’s secret to clean lines and low-drama upkeep, A1 Arch Salon nails precise eyebrow threading, tinting, and waxing, plus facials, lash tints, and even henna when you’re feeling extra.

champaignbeautyspa.com ↗

Hydrations Wellness

Health & Wellness

Feel-good fast track: Hydrations Wellness is the local go-to for revitalizing IV drips, B-12 and lipotropic shots, GLP-1 weight loss options, plus relaxing add-ons like infrared sauna, oxygen bar, NAD+, PEMF and pressotherapy.

hydrations.com ↗

The Kitty Crib

Cafes

Cats, coffee, calm: Need a quick mood lift that also helps local rescues?

thekittycrib.com ↗

Champaign’s best businesses

Every spot worth knowing, in one place.

The restaurants, shops, and services the newsletter recommends, all in one place — every listing checked, and paid pins marked every time.

Browse Champaign’s best →

Most read in Champaign

The five stories Champaign readers clicked most this month, from the daily editions.

  1. Oktoberfest 2026 is October 23 at The Orpheum - SPlog

    Oktoberfest 2026 is set to take place at The Orpheum on October 23 at 5 to 10 p.m.

    Full story at smilepolitely.com ↗

  2. Tacos & Arepas House is now open - SPlog

    Tacos & Arepas House has opened in Champaign, taking over the former Caribbean Grill.

    Full story at smilepolitely.com ↗

  3. Thirsty Thursday: Coffee at Haypenny Market - SPlog

    Haypenny Market, a new market on Market Street in Champaign-Urbana, is set to open next weekend and will celebrate its grand opening with music performances, face painting, and outdoor bubbles.

    Full story at smilepolitely.com ↗

  4. Champaign-Urbana Grocery Stores

    The article discusses the various grocery stores available in Champaign-Urbana, which range from national chains to the definition of “local” where no more than half a dozen shoppers can fit in at one time.

    Full story at chambanamoms.com ↗

  5. Illinois Housing Development Authority opens 3 senior affordable housing developments across state

    The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has opened three senior affordable housing developments across the state, providing new options for independent senior living in Champaign, Fairview Heights and Hillside.

    Full story at timestribunenews.com ↗

Explore Champaign

The rest of what BaseLocal keeps current for the city.

Champaign eventsAll 13 events this week, day by dayThis weekend in ChampaignThe 4 things worth your weekendFree things to do7 free events happening this weekRead the latest editionSee exactly what lands in your inboxDanville32 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalDecatur42 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalCharleston43 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalMattoon44 miles away — nearby on BaseLocal