With fall break arriving, University residence halls and Greek houses have closed, encouraging students to go home and spend time with their families. Many students from the Chicagoland and St. Louis areas will travel a few hours, but some will stay in their apartments or make an arrangement with University housing to live in the dorms right here in Champaign-Urbana.

For those staying in the Champaign-Urbana area, here are some ways to make the most out of your break.

Before the snow and bitter cold come, explore the campus while most students are gone. The University has a plethora of libraries and buildings to discover before they close on Thursday for Thanksgiving.

Located south of the Main Quad on Gregory drive, the Main Library is a large and confusing building. On the first floor, you will find an information desk with maps, but if you’re looking for a challenge you could always explore the three-story building with no prior guidance. Look for the Main Stacks or the Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, but be sure to be mindful of the hours. The Main Library is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the RBML is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

If you want a break from the complexity of the Main Library, walk a short distance from Gregory Hall to the Communication Library. The two-room library still provides an excellent workspace and is open from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

Spurlock Museum is another great place to explore in your free time and is located east of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Tour the museum and discover the thousands of artifacts that the two-story museum has to offer. Spurlock Museum is hosting a ‘Crafternoon’ on Saturday from 1 to 3:30 p.m., which is a fun, relaxing activity for all ages.

If you’re a sports enthusiast, take time from your break to cheer on your peers as the basketball teams continue their seasons. On Monday at State Farm Center, the Illinois women’s basketball team will take on Oakland. Cheer on the Illini as they compete with the Golden Grizzlies before traveling to Ocean Center in Dayton, Fla. The Illinois men’s basketball team will compete against Lindenwood at the State Farm Center on Friday at 8 p.m.

Here’s an exciting event if you are a heavy metal fan: The Canopy Club is hosting “Hardwired: A Tribute to Metallica” on Wednesday and the doors will open at 7 p.m. The Rose Bowl Tavern will have other events throughout the week, including a rock show with Terminus Victor on Black Friday. The show starts at 8 p.m. on Friday.

You can also start the holiday season off right with a holiday photo perfect for cards or for your mom’s Facebook. The Virginia Theatre is holding their 2022 Holiday Card Photo Op on Tuesday and Nov. 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The lobby will be open for elegant holiday photos. The Virginia Theatre also has a production of “The Wizard of Oz” on Saturday. There are two showings of the production, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Parade of Lights presented by the Christie Clinic kicks off the Christmas spirit by showcasing Santa’s arrival into the C-U community. The 22nd annual parade theme is the Island of Misfit Toys, and will showcase various floats with a variety of characters. Then, Santa will be seen in his sleigh in the streets of downtown Champaign on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. However, the activities begin at 3 p.m.

For those looking to take a picnic outdoors, consider visiting Savoy. Dana Colbert Park is on the edge of a small lake and has small hills and swings that make for a lovely picnic. Discover more such parks and relax in the lap of nature in Savoy. You can also explore downtown Urbana and downtown Champaign if you like wandering around cities, window shopping and trying new restaurants and cafes.

College can be stressful, and homesickness can really kick in when your friends are going home and you’re staying on campus. But don’t fret, Champaign-Urbana has lots of entertaining and rejuvenating opportunities. Be sure to enjoy your fall break!

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