Downtown Champaign launches ‘The Beat’ with new summer entertainment district

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS) — Downtown Champaign is hosting a summer filled with exciting new entertainment and activities for everyone.

The Beat Downtown Champaign is a new campaign to bring more music, entertainment, and culture to downtown.

The Beat aims to attract residents and visitors from diverse backgrounds, provide a safe and inclusive space to enjoy entertainment, to showcase downtown’s unique shops and businesses, and enhance the vibrant social atmosphere in the heart of downtown.

The city will celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Market Street Entertainment District at 4:30 pm on Friday, May 31, 2024.

The ceremony will be held at the City’s new performance stage located near 114 N Market St.

Friday Night Live will return every Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm all summer long.

Following Friday Night Live, the music and fun continue late into the night on Market Street.

Every week on both Friday and Saturday nights from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am, Market Street will be transformed into a pedestrian-only, secure venue to celebrate the summer.

Each week talented DJs and musicians will fill Market Street with the greatest music and entertainment in the Midwest.

Check out this week’s late-night entertainment schedule:

Friday, May 31

• 11 pm – midnight DJ Carlos Wesjile Open Format
• Midnight – 1 am DJ Silkee Hip Hop/R&B

Saturday, June 1

• 10:00 -11:30 pm Haki N Dem American R&B and Neo Soul
• 11:30 pm – 1 am DJ BJ Clark Old School Hip Hop/R&B/Pop

Downtown Festival Districts will be held on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer and allows patrons of participating downtown restaurants and bars to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in public while enjoying the music and catching up with friends.

Downtown Festival Districts will be held in conjunction with both Friday Night Live and late-night entertainment on Market Street.

For more information and maps of the Downtown Festival Districts click here.