July marks a soft turning point. The light lingers a little longer, and time seems to stretch with possibility. It’s the halfway mark of the year, when we’re encouraged to reflect on where we’ve been and root more intentionally into where we’re going. The season reminds us that joy doesn’t have to be extravagant—sometimes, it’s a bowl of just-picked berries, a walk that ends in wildflowers, or a day that moves at your pace.
As we move into the heart of summer, the invitation is simple: soften, stay present, and soak up the beauty that’s right in front of you. Ahead, discover 31 joy-filled things to do in July to help you make the most of every sun-drenched day.
Image above from our interview with Lauren Ireland by Emma Bassill.
31 Things to Do in July to Make Every Day Count
Some of us chase the sun with salt-streaked hair and sandy feet. Others find solace in the slowness—a morning walk, a crisp glass of something cold, a good book in the shade. However you spend your time, July is an invitation to live a little more fully, a little more presently.
Let each day be its own small celebration. Below, you’ll find 31 things to do in July to spark joy, bring ease, and make this sun-soaked month one to remember.
July 1-8
1. Check in with your goals. We’re six months in and have six months left of 2025—there’s never a better time to reflect on the goals you set at the beginning of the year. What still resonates? Are there intentions you can let go of? Reframe and reset, and take this second half by storm.
2. Take a location-less day trip. Pick a direction and go—no map, no plans, just curiosity. Find the roadside fruit stand, stop at the swimming hole, and let your inner wanderer lead.
3. Cook a meal entirely outside. Even if you’re not a grill master, you can still cook a delicious dinner outside with picnic-friendly foods. If you can stand the heat and mosquitos long enough, set a pretty table and enjoy the al fresco vibes.
4. Host a slow brunch. Invite friends for a mid-morning garden brunch. Stone fruits, soft scrambled eggs, and fresh herbs snipped from your windowsill.
5. Go strawberry picking. Take advantage of strawberry season! There’s nothing better than getting up early, beating the crowds, and heading home with baskets of fresh fruit. And of course, you have to make a sweet strawberry treat with your pickings.
6. Try a five-minute grounding practice. Before you reach for your phone each morning, place your feet on the floor, close your eyes, and check in: What do I need today? What do I want to feel?
7. Have an intentional date night. While we love putting on a show and having a cozy night in with our S.O., 2025 is all about experiencing more novelty. These questions are designed to help you switch up your conversations and learn more about your partner.
8. Plan your outdoor space. Camille’s Mediterranean-inspired landscaping has motivated us all to make our backyards and patios an outdoor haven. Make your Pinterest dreams come true with these backyard landscaping ideas full of tips to fit any space.
July 9-15
9. Re-start your favorite book. While I’m all about picking up the best new read, there’s nothing more comforting than rereading your favorite books. There’s no pressure to focus too hard, no big commitments to make—just pure pleasure. Whatever book you can picture yourself laying out on the beach with for hours without pause, that’s the one to read. Head to the library, a bookstore, or your Libby app and make it happen.
10. Go night swimming. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve family night swims at the lake. Take the leap (literally) and discover the joy of it yourself this July.
11. Make something with your hands. Ditch your screen and try something tactile—flower arranging, air-dry clay, a watercolor sketch. Whatever calls to you, follow that.
12. Curate your summer scent. Whether it’s a body oil, a linen spray, or your go-to fragrance, choose a scent to carry you through July. Memory lives in aroma—make this one last.
14. Spruce up your garden (or start one). Gardening is a great way to spend some time in the sun. Plant something new if you already have a garden going, or finally start one if you haven’t yet. Camille’s building her green thumb and can’t get enough. Steal her gardening tips and get growing!
15. Commit to rest. Use the month of July to get in a good rest routine before the summer is over. July is your invitation to build a rest ritual—daily stretches of quiet, unhurried sleep, or time simply spent doing nothing at all.
July 16-22
16. Go to an outdoor concert. Most cities and larger towns host outdoor music events throughout the summer. Do a little research and come out to support local bands. Don’t forget the snacks!
17. Stargaze. Go stargazing on vacation, while camping out, or in your backyard. Download a free app like SkyView Lite to identify all of the stars and constellations you find. Keep your eyes peeled for shooting stars, too.
18. Read up on cycle syncing. Get curious about how your energy shifts throughout the month. Try syncing your meals, workouts, and skincare to your hormonal rhythms—and notice how supported your body feels.
19. Visit an aquarium. When the weather’s hot, I’m either in a lake or staying cool somewhere that has AC. In the latter case, a museum or an aquarium will always win out. If there isn’t one in your area, explore the deep sea with this scrollable illustration. It’s seriously addicting.
20. Celebrate National Ice Cream Day. What better way to cool down than with ice cream? Pick up a few pints of the best vanilla ice creams, try out one of these healthy ice cream recipes, or just grab a spoon and a bowl and celebrate by yourself.
21. Have a picnic. Prep and pack your favorite picnic recipes, whip up a pitcher of iced tea, and find the perfect spot to set out your blanket. Is there any better way to spend a summer evening?
22. Attend a block party. Bring some food and stop by. There’s no better way to get to know your neighbors.
July 23-31
23. Clean out your closet. If you’re looking for productive things to do in July, try cleaning out your closet. You probably feel like you just finished spring cleaning, but now is the perfect time to sell or donate the summer clothes from last season you never ended up wearing. And you can always reorganize to make room for the upcoming summer sales.
24. Take a family bike ride. Pack a picnic and stop somewhere scenic for lunch along the way. (Yes, everything is just an excuse for a picnic.)
25. Make a seasonal bouquet. Whether you head to Trader Joe’s or visit your favorite local florist, pick a few different blooms and craft an arrangement that’ll brighten up your home. Bonus points if you make an extra one to share with a friend.
26. Find a local farmer’s market and cook dinner with what you buy. Wondering what to do in July with all of summer’s finest foods? Check out our guide to what produce is in season. Support local vendors by visiting your nearest farmer’s market and making a meal with what you find.
27. Have a 90s movie marathon when it’s too hot outside. When the heat slows you down, lean in. Cue up a nostalgic 90s movie night—think comfort, connection, and no rush to be anywhere else.
28. Read a quintessential summer book. Few things feel more like summer than a book you can’t put down. Whether you’re by the pool, at the park, or curled up on the couch with a fan pointed your way, get lost in a story that feels like sunshine. I just picked up It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan, and it’s exactly the kind of feel-good, full-heart read July calls for.
29. Go to a baseball game. Nothing screams summer quite like baseball and hot dogs. I just went to a Cubs game and while I wouldn’t call myself the biggest baseball fan, I had the best time getting outside and connecting with the energy of the game.
30. Get on the water. Grab a paddle board, take a surfing lesson, or head out on a boat. However you enjoy the water, don’t be afraid to get your hair wet.
31. Reflect on the month and make new goals for August. Look back on all that this month brought into your life. Did you meet new people? Experience new opportunities? Learn new things? In your journal, write what went well and what you would have liked to happen differently this month. Then, take that positive energy and channel it into an amazing August ahead.
A Month of Simple Joys
Let July be the month that reminds you of the joy that can be found in simplicity. That beauty is in the unplanned afternoon, the fresh peach, the quiet walk at golden hour. As we turn toward August, carry with you the spaciousness you created—and let it guide what comes next.
