July marks a smooth turning level. The sunshine lingers a bit of longer, and time appears to stretch with chance. It’s the midway mark of the 12 months, after we’re inspired to mirror on the place we’ve been and root extra deliberately into the place we’re going. The season reminds us that pleasure doesn’t must be extravagant—generally, it’s a bowl of just-picked berries, a stroll that ends in wildflowers, or a day that strikes at your tempo.
As we transfer into the guts of summer time, the invitation is straightforward: soften, keep current, and take in the sweetness that’s proper in entrance of you. Forward, uncover 31 joy-filled issues to do in July that can assist you take advantage of each sun-drenched day.
Picture above from our interview with Lauren Eire by Emma Bassill.
31 Issues to Do in July to Make Each Day Rely
A few of us chase the solar with salt-streaked hair and sandy ft. Others discover solace within the slowness—a morning stroll, a crisp glass of one thing chilly, a great ebook within the shade. Nonetheless you spend your time, July is an invite to stay a bit of extra absolutely, a bit of extra presently.
Let every day be its personal small celebration. Beneath, you’ll discover 31 issues to do in July to spark pleasure, convey ease, and make this sun-soaked month one to recollect.
July 1-8
1. Test in along with your targets. We’re six months in and have six months left of 2025—there’s by no means a greater time to mirror on the targets you set firstly of the 12 months. What nonetheless resonates? Are there intentions you may let go of? Reframe and reset, and take this second half by storm.
2. Take a location-less day journey. Decide a path and go—no map, no plans, simply curiosity. Discover the roadside fruit stand, cease on the swimming gap, and let your interior wanderer lead.
3. Cook dinner a meal completely outdoors. Even in case you’re not a grill grasp, you may nonetheless cook dinner a scrumptious dinner outdoors with picnic-friendly meals. In the event you can stand the warmth and mosquitos lengthy sufficient, set a reasonably desk and benefit from the al fresco vibes.
4. Host a gradual brunch. Invite mates for a mid-morning backyard brunch. Stone fruits, smooth scrambled eggs, and contemporary herbs snipped out of your windowsill.
5. Go strawberry selecting. Reap the benefits of strawberry season! There’s nothing higher than getting up early, beating the crowds, and heading house with baskets of contemporary fruit. And naturally, you need to make a candy strawberry deal with along with your pickings.
6. Strive a five-minute grounding observe. Earlier than you attain in your cellphone every morning, place your ft on the ground, shut your eyes, and test in: What do I want right now? What do I need to really feel?
7. Have an intentional date evening. Whereas we love placing on a present and having a comfortable evening in with our S.O., 2025 is all about experiencing extra novelty. These questions are designed that can assist you swap up your conversations and study extra about your companion.
8. Plan your out of doors house. Camille’s Mediterranean-inspired landscaping has motivated us all to make our backyards and patios an outside haven. Make your Pinterest desires come true with these yard landscaping concepts filled with tricks to match any house.
July 9-15
9. Re-start your favourite ebook. Whereas I’m all about selecting up the most effective new learn, there’s nothing extra comforting than rereading your favourite books. There’s no strain to focus too onerous, no large commitments to make—simply pure pleasure. No matter ebook you may image your self laying out on the seaside with for hours with out pause, that’s the one to learn. Head to the library, a bookstore, or your Libby app and make it occur.
10. Go evening swimming. A few of my favourite childhood reminiscences contain household evening swims on the lake. Take the leap (actually) and uncover the enjoyment of it your self this July.
11. Make one thing along with your fingers. Ditch your display and check out one thing tactile—flower arranging, air-dry clay, a watercolor sketch. No matter calls to you, observe that.
12. Curate your summer time scent. Whether or not it’s a physique oil, a linen spray, or your go-to perfume, select a scent to hold you thru July. Reminiscence lives in aroma—make this one final.
14. Spruce up your backyard (or begin one). Gardening is a good way to spend a while within the solar. Plant one thing new if you have already got a backyard going, or lastly begin one in case you haven’t but. Camille’s constructing her inexperienced thumb and may’t get sufficient. Steal her gardening suggestions and get rising!
15. Decide to relaxation. Use the month of July to get in a great relaxation routine earlier than the summer time is over. July is your invitation to construct a relaxation ritual—every day stretches of quiet, unhurried sleep, or time merely spent doing nothing in any respect.
July 16-22
16. Go to an outside live performance. Most cities and bigger cities host out of doors music occasions all through the summer time. Do some analysis and are available out to assist native bands. Don’t neglect the snacks!
17. Stargaze. Go stargazing on trip, whereas tenting out, or in your yard. Obtain a free app like SkyView Lite to determine the entire stars and constellations you discover. Hold your eyes peeled for capturing stars, too.
18. Learn up on cycle syncing. Get interested in how your vitality shifts all through the month. Strive syncing your meals, exercises, and skincare to your hormonal rhythms—and see how supported your physique feels.
19. Go to an aquarium. When the climate’s scorching, I’m both in a lake or staying cool someplace that has AC. Within the latter case, a museum or an aquarium will all the time win out. If there isn’t one in your space, discover the deep sea with this scrollable illustration. It’s critically addicting.
20. Have fun Nationwide Ice Cream Day. What higher technique to quiet down than with ice cream? Decide up a couple of pints of the most effective vanilla ice lotions, check out considered one of these wholesome ice cream recipes, or simply seize a spoon and a bowl and rejoice by your self.
21. Have a picnic. Prep and pack your favourite picnic recipes, whip up a pitcher of iced tea, and discover the proper spot to set out your blanket. Is there any higher technique to spend a summer time night?
22. Attend a block occasion. Convey some meals and cease by. There’s no higher technique to get to know your neighbors.
July 23-31
23. Clear out your closet. In the event you’re on the lookout for productive issues to do in July, attempt cleansing out your closet. You most likely really feel such as you simply completed spring cleansing, however now’s the proper time to promote or donate the summer time garments from final season you by no means ended up sporting. And you may all the time reorganize to make room for the upcoming summer time gross sales.
24. Take a household bike journey. Pack a picnic and cease someplace scenic for lunch alongside the best way. (Sure, all the pieces is simply an excuse for a picnic.)
25. Make a seasonal bouquet. Whether or not you head to Dealer Joe’s or go to your favourite native florist, choose a couple of completely different blooms and craft an association that’ll brighten up your property. Bonus factors in case you make an additional one to share with a good friend.
26. Discover a native farmer’s market and cook dinner dinner with what you purchase. Questioning what to do in July with all of summer time’s most interesting meals? Take a look at our information to what produce is in season. Help native distributors by visiting your nearest farmer’s market and making a meal with what you discover.
27. Have a 90s film marathon when it’s too scorching outdoors. When the warmth slows you down, lean in. Cue up a nostalgic 90s film evening—assume consolation, connection, and no rush to be anyplace else.
28. Learn a quintessential summer time ebook. Few issues really feel extra like summer time than a ebook you may’t put down. Whether or not you’re by the pool, on the park, or curled up on the sofa with a fan pointed your approach, get misplaced in a narrative that looks like sunshine. I simply picked up It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan, and it’s precisely the sort of feel-good, full-heart learn July requires.
29. Go to a baseball sport. Nothing screams summer time fairly like baseball and scorching canines. I simply went to a Cubs sport and whereas I wouldn’t name myself the largest baseball fan, I had the most effective time getting outdoors and connecting with the vitality of the sport.
30. Get on the water. Seize a paddle board, take a browsing lesson, or head out on a ship. Nonetheless you benefit from the water, don’t be afraid to get your hair moist.
31. Replicate on the month and make new targets for August. Look again on all that this month introduced into your life. Did you meet new folks? Expertise new alternatives? Be taught new issues? In your journal, write what went properly and what you’d have preferred to occur in a different way this month. Then, take that constructive vitality and channel it into an incredible August forward.
A Month of Easy Joys
Let July be the month that reminds you of the enjoyment that may be present in simplicity. That magnificence is within the unplanned afternoon, the contemporary peach, the quiet stroll at golden hour. As we flip towards August, carry with you the spaciousness you created—and let it information what comes subsequent.
