Friday, December 21st
Eat a salad, Corelife, 2512 N Prospect Ave, Champaign, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., about $10
I didn’t want to like Corelife because it sounds like some MLM cult, but here I am, suggesting that you go there and eat. It’s actually a really great fast-casual chain. The food I’ve had has always been good, including the meat (nothing weird or questionable). My husband always gets some sort of soup — they are quite tasty. But I’m a sucker for the sriracha ginger tofu and ancient grains bowl with the carrot chili vinaigrette. It’s really, really good. And a little spicy, but fresh and tasty. It makes me actually want to consume copious amounts of kale. The dressing is great; I’d totally buy a bottle of it. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Celebrate the Hooey Home Show’s Sweet 16, 905 S Lynn St, Urbana, 5 to 9 p.m., free admission, bring money to shop
The annual Hooey Home Show is tradition for local makers and arts supporters alike. This year’s line-up is worthy of Hooey’s milestone birthday. Meet local artists and show your them your support. Check another gift off your list, or treat yourself. Shop 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (DD) Photo from Facebook
Celebrate the Solstice, Anita Purves Nature Center, 6 to 8 p.m., free
Friday marks the shortest day of the year. Instead of being depressed that it’s dark at 4:15, do what the Scandinavians do and celebrate. You can go on a hike through Busey Woods and enjoy cider, popcorn, and s’mores around the campfire. Find all of the details here. (JM) Top photo from Facebook
The Merry Travelers, Eli & Sam, The Iron Post, 8 p.m., $5
The Merry Travelers have played a bunch of shows this year in all sorts of venues around town, though the Iron Post might be the place to consider their “home base” of sorts. If you’re looking for a fun Friday night show to catch, this would be one to pay attention to this weekend. (PS)
Saturday, December 22nd
Shop local at the Old Time Market, 708 S Prairie St., Champaign, 11 to 3 p.m., free admission, bring money to shop
Last minute shopping doesn’t have to mean a stressful trip to mall. Shop the Old Time Market Friday 4 to 8 p.m., or Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Have some hot chocolate and shop a selection of locally-made fine art, handmade body care products, quilts, fiber art, and pottery. (DD)
Wear an ugly sweater for a good cause, Collective Pour, 340 N Neil St, Champaign, 7 p.m., prices vary
Collective Pour, the new-ish bar downtown, is hosting an ugly sweater party to raise money for Eastern Illinois Foodbank. The bar has teamed up with Tito’s to donate $1 from any Tito’s drink (this is all day long, not just after 7 p.m.). During the ugly sweater party, the bar will raffle off goodies, and proceeds will benefit Eastern Illinois Food Bank. (JH)
See It’s a Wonderful Life, Virginia Theatre, 7 p.m., $6
Some feel that this is the ultimate Christmas movie. Which I think is kind of interesting, because most of the movie has nothing to do with Christmas. Remember when it used to be on eighteen different channels throughout the month of December? It is a charming movie though, and it does end on a happy holiday spirit-y kind of note (spoiler alert), and it’s fun to see these old movies on the big screen. The Virginia is great at offering up opportunities to do that. (JM)
Sunday, December 23rd
Hibernate, at home, all day, free (except maybe order food)
If you are the Christmas celebrating kind, you might be headed into a couple of days of intense family time. If you are not the Christmas celebrating kind, then maybe you want to escape the throngs of last minute shoppers that will be out and about. Either way, take a self-care day. Watch Netflix, order some food, and ignore people. Did you know that you can get Farren’s delivered?? Do that here. (JM) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Soul on Sunday, Blackbird, $5, 7-9 p.m.
Add another ugly Christmas sweater party to your list — Soul on Sundays usually happens at the Iron Post, but this time it is taking place at Blackbird in Downtown Urbana. They’ll have comedy, spoken word, music, and more, plus they are taking donations for Salt + Light. (PS)
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All event information is accurate to the best of our abilities, but sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes event information, times, prices, etc., change after we look them up. Whenever possible, we’ve provided a link to the original event page; you should always double-check the source before you make any firm plans. Thanks for your understanding.