The Best July Events in Each State

The weather is at its warmest, school is still out and America celebrates its birthday: July is the definition of "peak summer" and it arguably is the month with more great summer events than any other. The best July events in the USA are obviously heavy on Fourth of July fireworks shows and patriotic parties, but there are also a fair amount of regional festivals and one-of-a-kind, eccentric celebrations around the country too. From country music concerts, rodeos, state fairs and sand sculpting to a festival dedicated to, (checks notes), sliced bread, the best events in July have a little something for everyone. Click on the slideshow to find out what some of the best American events are for July 2022.

The state's biggest July 4th celebration will take place at Vulcan Park in Birmingham as the Thunder on the Mountain event will toast the nation's independence with spectacular fireworks paired up with music. Or, head over to Lake Martin to watch one of the region's biggest fireworks displays at the AMP amphitheater. Birmingham will host athletes from all over the world during the World Games (July 7-17) and down south, the 24th annual Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival will celebrate soloists, spoken word, orchestras and jam sessions in Mobile on July 28-31.

Go to Girdwood for the annual Forest Fair (July 1-3), which will once again feature great live music, artists, hand-crafted gifts and excellent eats from all over the state. Or, make a beeline for Seward for their famous July 4th Festival (July 1-4), where they will be hosting a boat parade, traditional parade and scores of vendors in addition to setting off fireworks at 12:01 AM on July the 4th. Elsewhere, the Copper River Salmon Jam will rock the quirky coastal town of Cordova July 15-16 with scrumptious local salmon and even better tunes while Golden Days will take over Fairbanks for a celebration of its founding July 16-23.

Wheeler Park in Flagstaff will be the place to be over the Fourth of July weekend (July 2-4) as Art in the Park returns with its always-popular array of excellent art, great live music and mouthwatering food. Flagstaff will also hold a lively parade the morning of July 4th, too. In Sedona, The National Day of the Cowboy (July 23rd) will be celebrated with a special movie screening and the city will also host its signature Hummingbird Festival from July 29-31. Elsewhere, Phoenix's Desert Botanical Garden features its unique Flashlight Nights tours all July long and the hip hotels of Scottsdale will embrace the heat with a month of sizzling, Vegas-style pool parties.

Head to Greers Ferry Lake in Heber Springs on July 2 for the one-of-a-kind World Championship Cardboard Boat Races, which will feature vessels decorated with a circus theme and more than a few feats of engineering and dramatic sinkings. Then, scoot over to Little Rock on July 4 for the state's finest Independence Day celebration: Pops on the River. Back for its 38th edition, this event will once again feature tasty food, great music from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and other local favorites, plus a stellar fireworks show.

Festival Napa Valley is back this year, celebrating the arts through world-class performances set in a host of beautiful Napa Valley backdrops (July 15-24), while in LA, Outfest, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ storytelling and film will take place July 14-24. The stars are always out in the City of Angels, but the brightest in Major League Baseball will also be in town for the 92nd MLB All-Star Game on July 17 at Dodger Stadium. The game will be preceded by days of fun events like a celebrity softball game, concerts and the always-popular Home Run Derby. Last but not least and for the first time since 2019, the world-famous Comic-Con returns to San Diego July 21-24.

Start your month experiencing the last few days of the Greely Stampede (running through July 4), where the town will be celebrating the 100th edition of this iconic Western event with the usual array of A-list concerts, rodeos, lip-smacking food and a plethora of other exciting events like the demolition derby. Crested Butte will once again host its remarkable Wildflower Festival July 8-17-an event that celebrates the bounty of the local landscape through art, walks and photography. Why not end your month at the 50th annual RockyGrass Bluegrass Festival in Lyons (July 29-31) or see the start of the world-renowned Vail Dance Festival, which will kick off July 29 and go well into August.

July offers your last chance to revel in the ye olde days at Robin Hood's Medieval Faire (July 2-3) in Harwinton, an event that offers up jousting knights, eclectic performers, artisan crafts and-enough turkey legs to feed a kingdom. Sailfest-Southeastern Connecticut's premier summer party-will take over the harbor in New London July 8-10 and feature fireworks, live music and hundreds of vendors of crafts & great food. End your month in Old Lyme at the Midsummer Arts Festival on July 30.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a more patriotic party in the state than the one they will throw in Lewes on the Fourth of July, a get-together that will feature a painted boat parade and fireworks. The Delaware Art Museum will be the place to be on July 23 as they celebrate indigenous culture at the Powwow of Arts & Culture and the end of the month is also the time for the state's biggest annual celebration: the Delaware State Fair (July 21-30) in Harrington. This year's edition will feature the typical array of agricultural displays, carnival rides and culinary delights in addition to concerts from the likes of Sam Hunt, ZZ Top, Nelly, Frank Reyes and Hank Williams, Jr.

First and foremost, you only have until July 4th to experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, so if you haven't seen it yet, make that your first stop in the Sunshine State this month. Then, head north to Pensacola, where they'll be celebrating Independence Day with excellent fireworks on the beach and then rolling it straight into the Pensacola Beach Air Show (July 6-9)-a patriotic annual event featuring the locally-based Blue Angels. An all-time classic returns to Key West July 19-24: Hemingway Days. Join thousands of Hemingway enthusiasts to pay tribute to the writing legend through a Hemingway look-alike contest, marlin fishing contest, the "running of the bulls" and plenty of cocktails and carousing. Miami is the move late in the month as the world renowned Rolling Loud Hip-Hop Festival returns July 22-24.

Experience arts & crafts, great tunes and fun for the whole family as the town of Peachtree Corners will get July off to a jumpin' start with their annual Peachtree Corners Festival July 1-3. Dreamy mountain town Dahlonega will throw a patriotic party on July 4 while Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta will host its Fantastic Fourth celebration July 1-5, complete with scores of family activities and shows in addition to fireworks and laser shows. End your month in the town of Blairsville for the Mountain Music & Moonshine Festival on July 30-31 or over in Madison for the family fun of the Firefly Festival (July 29-30).

Celebrate the Fourth of July at Kailua Beach on O'ahu for its annual fireworks display, then hop over to Kahului for its annual Maui Film Festival July 6-10 with films under the stars. Back on O'ahu, July 11-16 will be the Waikiki Steel Guitar Week and feature stellar performances all week long from artists like Alan Akaka, Bobby Ingano and Geri Valdriz. And while it will be a virtual event streamed on their Facebook page this year, the iconic Hawaii Ukulele Festival-founded in 1971 as the first of its kind anywhere in the world-will take place on July 17th.

The largest Fourth of July fireworks display west of the Mississippi takes place at the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration each year in Idaho Falls and this year promises to be stellar. The celebration caps off the town's Riverfest party which will also take place on July 4. Another great spot for Independence Day in Idaho is Rupert, which will go all-out to celebrate the American small-town charm every day through July 4. Then, for a true taste of Western culture, make your way to Nampa for the Snake River Stampede (July 19-23) to find out why they call it the "Wildest Fastest Show on Earth". Then, why not head to lakeside beauty Sandpoint for the start of the town's amazing summer party the Festival at Sandpoint (July 28).

First things first, July will sizzle in Chicago with music events like Millennium Park Summer Music Series & Grant Park Music Festival (continuing all month long) complemented with fests like the Spring Awakening EDM event (July 8-10), Pitchfork Festival Electronic & Hip-Hop (July 15-17) and the big one: Lollapolloza (July 28-21). Lolla' will feature headline sets from Dua Lipa, Green Day, J. Cole, Lil Baby, Kygo, Machine Gun Kelly, Metallica and J. Hope among many others. Elsewhere, the town of McHenry will once again hold its awesome annual Fiesta Days (July 7-17) event treating visitors to games, concerts and all sorts of great food and the town of Effingham will host the Effingham Jam BBQ Cookoff (July 22-23), offering two days of tasty meats and parties in the streets.

Tapawingo Park in West Lafayette is the place to be on Saturday, July 9 for the Wabash Riverfest, a gathering dedicated to celebrating the longest free-flowing river in the Eastern US with riverside hikes, floating and conservation displays. International Black Expo's Summer Celebration will take place July 7-17 and will once again showcase Black Culture in the state through entertainment, arts, food and film with this year's signature concert starring Patti Labelle, Monica and After 7 (July 15). Another great event is the Three Rivers Festival in Fort Wayne, which will once again bring its famed fireworks, international village, Midway rides, "Junk Food Alley" and concerts (Ceelo Green, Ginuwine and Quiet Riot) back to town. Elsewhere, the small town of Oldenburg will once again be throwing the "Biggest Little German Festival" during Freudenfest (July 15-16).

Start the month off in Clear Lake for their showcase summer festival celebrating the Fourth of July. Festivities will run through July 5 and include amusement rides, lakeside vendors, bandshell concerts, a parade and fireworks over the lake. Or, go to Iowa City for the annual Jazz Festival, which will run July 1-3. The Lake Red Rock Balloon Festival will take to the skies near Pella on July 8-10 and last but not least, the always-fun Central Iowa Fair (think rodeo, car shows, livestock displays and great live music) will take over Marshalltown on July 13-16.

The Milford Sundown Salute will start the month off in style with the state's largest Fourth of July party. Expect great entertainment, car shows, a parade and a salute to the veterans. Overland Park is also a fine place to celebrate the Fourth as they will once again hold their Star-Spangled Spectacular, which features great music and a wonderful fireworks display. End the month in Wichita at the NBC World Series (July 28-August 6), an event founded in 1935 that features pro and semi-pro baseball teams from around the country fighting it out for the title. July 28 also sees the start of the 150th edition of Dodge City Days, where the Wild West comes alive each year through parades, barbecues, rodeos, concerts and a myriad of other fun events.

The charming small town of Bowling Green is the place to be on July 1 and every Friday in July for Concerts in the Park, a free weekly concert series. BG will also host the 11th annual edition of Camarofest (July 7-10), a car show and party dedicated to one of America's favorite cars. Madisonville makes for a great place to spend the Fourth of July as they will be throwing their annual festival (expect two stages of music, food trucks and fireworks) while over in Louisville, July 27 sees another edition of the beloved Waterfront Wednesdays concert at Waterfront Park and the quirky Dainty World Championships take over the Schnitzelburg neighborhood on Monday, July 25. The unique game of dainty has to be seen to be fully understood, but in short, it involves hitting a small stick as far as you can and it's about as traditionally Louisville as that Derby-pack an appetite for bologna sandwiches, beer and German heritage and you're halfway to being a dainty devotee.

Get your month started in New Orleans at one of the nation's most esteemed African American cultural gatherings: Essence Festival. Running through July 3, the festival will once again feature stellar music (Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackon and New Edition are among those performing) and a wide range of health, food and beauty offerings. Later in the month, New Orleans will welcome back the Tales of the Cocktail (July 25-29), one of the nation's utmost cocktail enthusiast gatherings-expect workshops, competitions and plenty of tastings. Cajun Music and Food Festival will once again take place at Lake Charles on July 16 while that same weekend will see the inaugural Island Strong Beach Fest (July 15-16) take place in Grand Isle, which will be two days of fun on the sand in the effort of Hurricane Ida recovery for the local community.

Start your month by enjoying the last two days of Boothbay's beloved Windjammer Days, which will feature a rock skipping contest, a tug of war across the harbor, a classic sailboat race and the usual myriad of coastal vibes and great times. Then, head to the friendly town of Fort Fairfield for the 75th-anniversary edition of the Potato Blossom Festival. This nine-day celebration (July 9-17) pays tribute to this seasonal bloom with a bevy of family-friendly activities. Finally, Yarmouth Clam Festival makes its return this summer (July 15-17), bringing with it the usual array of live music, family fun, arts & crafts and plenty of sensational seafood to the coastal town of Yarmouth.

July 4th celebrations return to the Baltimore's Inner Harbor with spoken word, music by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and fireworks while in Annapolis, the Fourth of July weekend will be celebrated with an art fair, parade and fireworks. Art lovers (or those who just appreciate painting skills) will want to head to Easton during Plein Air Easton (July 15-24)-the most prestigious and largest juried outdoor painting competition in the nation. In Ocean City, each Monday, Wednesday and Friday in July will feature free movies and yard games on the beach and at OC's Jolly Roger Amusement Park, the weekend of July 25-25 will be its annual Christmas in July Party featuring fun performances and free events including an appearance from Santa Claus himself.

Boston's iconic Harborfest returns to celebrate the city's revolutionary & maritime history with a full roster of events from July 1-4. Highlights include historical reenactments, live music, an art fair, fireworks and the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House. Across town, the Hatch Memorial Shell will see the long-awaited return of the Boston Pops' traditional Fourth of July Spectacular. Elsewhere in the Bay State, the Levitate Music & Arts Festival takes over Marshfield July 8--10 with the chilled-out sounds of Jack Johnson, Phil Lesh & Friends, Stick Figure, Dirty Heads and many others taking the stage. Finally, the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival returns July 8-17 offering daily tours of gorgeous private gardens, horticulture classes and lots of other flower-filled fun.

July in Michigan means sunny skies, long days at the lake and the return of the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. This year's event runs July 2-9 and will once again feature multiple parades, amusement rides, scores of family-friendly events and concerts from the likes of Sheryl Crow, Collective Soul, Nelly, Dwight Yokam and Boyz II Men among others. Oh, and more tasty cherry-tastic delights than you can shake a stem at. Get primed for that party at the Field of Flight in Battle Creek, the nation's largest combined air show and balloon festival, which will run June 30-July 4. Later in the month, Harbor Creek is the place to be for the Maritime Festival (July 6-10) and Grand Rapids will host the Beer City Open, an international pickleball tournament that is best paired with an off day spent at one of the city's great breweries (July 20-24).

Duluth will once again throw a bash for Independence Day during Fourth Fest where they will set off the Upper Midwest's biggest fireworks display. Elsewhere, the Twin Cities Summer Jam takes over Canterbury Park in Shakopee (July 21-23) featuring summer fun and performances by Kane Brown, Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins and 38 Special among others and Minneapolis will celebrate Aquatennial July 20-23 with torchlight parades, water ski shows and fireworks. Finish off the month at the annual Loring Park Art Festival (July 30-31) which will once again feature 140 visual artists selling their wares, strolling musicians, live music and tantalizing food options.

Canton is a great place to ring in the month as it will host its annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest through July 3, which will feature balloon races, night glows, live music, and fireworks. That gives you enough time to head south to the coast to celebrate the Fourth of July in Gulfport at the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (July 1-4). Established in 1947, the festival promises more of the same great entertainment, amusement rides and fishing fun in 2022. Bay St. Louis will host its monthly Second Saturday Art Walk on July 9 while Corinth will throw its carnival & quirky ode to the local take on the burger at the Slugburger Festival (July 7-9).

Celebrate the Fourth of July in the state capital at Jefferson City's Salute to America festival, which will offer up rides, musical performances and fireworks in the heart of the city. St. Louis will see Fair St. Louis return (July 2-4), featuring concerts by X-Ambassadors, Third Eye Blind and the 90s House Party featuring Coolio, Young MC, Color Me Badd, Tone Loc and Montell Jordan. For something quirky, go to Chilocothe on July 9 for Sliced Bread Day-a party that toasts the city's history as the home of the greatest thing since, well, you know what. Finally, July 15-31 sees the Fringe Festival return to the state in Kansas City, an event that is the city's largest arts and culture celebration.

One of the biggest events of the year takes place in Butte July 8-18: The Montana Folk Festival. This event celebrates the culture and traditions of the state by way of a wide-ranging lineup of musical performers from around the world and scores of cultural and culinary offerings. Later in the month, the Big Sky PBR Bull Riding event (July 21-23) caps a week worth of fun in Big Sky, while every Thursday in July sees Music on Main take place in Bozeman featuring live music and food vendors in the town's cool downtown district.

Once again, "Nebraska's Official Fourth of July City" Seward will throw the state's most beloved Independence Day soiree. Expect a grand parade, car show, concerts, crafts and a great fireworks display. End your month with a trip to Burrell for Nebraska's Big Rodeo (July 27-30)-an iconic event that celebrates the town's Western heritage-or Omaha for the Maha Music Festival (July 29-30), which will once again feature an eclectic lineup of acts like Dominique Morgan, Marcey Yates, Princess Nokia, Car Seat Headrest and much more.

Begin your month in Elko at the National Basque Festival (July 2-3) where you can embrace and explore all aspects of Basque culture, from food, wine and traditional sports to music and dance. July 1 marks the start of the 50th season of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, which features brilliant performances of the Bard's work in an unbelievable outdoor setting. Reno sees the unique Chalk Art & Music Festival return July 8-10 and why not finish your month back in Elko at the Ruby Mountain Festival, which will take to the skies July 29-31.

The Granite State will come alive with the sounds of classical music during the 70th anniversary of the New Hampshire Music Festival-a month-long event featuring everything from orchestras to professional soloists performing all over the state. Foodies and beer lovers will revel in the Great American Ribfest & Food Truck Festival at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack (July 15-17). And why not end July on a hot note at the inaugural New England Hot Sauce Festival in Hampton.

State Fair Meadowlands continues its exhilarating run through July 10 with rides, games, food and family-friendly free entertainment. Long Branch will host Oceanfest on July 4, the largest Independence Day celebration in the state. Wildwood is another option for a proper "Shore Fourth" as they'll be setting off a great fireworks display from the Wildwoods Boardwalk. Then, head back on July 8 for the Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival. The end of the month sees the return of the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning to Readington Township, which will feature breathtaking balloon flights, great food & events and concerts from the likes of Kansas, Collective Soul and Todd Rundgren.

Commemorate the 75th anniversary of "the incident" at the Roswell UFO Festival (July 1-3), a three-day gathering of fun UFO-themed activities & events including a headlining concert by Midland. Elsewhere, the world-famous Santa Fe Opera opens up its season of open-air performances on July 1 and the start of the month also sees the return of the Santa Fe Wine Festival (July 2). Finally, the International Folk Art Market will once again attract thousands of folk art fans to Museum Hill in Santa Fe to shop works from around the world (July 6-10).

Celebrate the nation's birthday with one of the famous fireworks displays in the country: The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in New York City. This display will once again bring feel-good entertainment and brilliant pyrotechnics to the sky above the city. Another great option for the Fourth of July is Legoland in Goshen, which will host its Red, White & BOOM festival, which will feature extended hours full of fun highlighted by a special fireworks display. July 15-17 sees the return of the Peppermint Days-a tribute to the local peppermint oil tradition-to the small town of Lyons while the 147th Broome County Fair will once again bring days full of revelry to the Southern Tier (July 26-31).

Make for the town of Southport to celebrate the Fourth of July during their North Carolina 4th of July Festival (July 1-4), which will include arts & crafts, entertainment, a car & truck show, and scores of patriotic events including fireworks. After all, they've been throwing an Independence Day party here since 1795. July 16 sees MusicFest return to Sugar Grove while the skies over the beaches of the Outer Banks will be filled with kites during the Wright Kite Festival in Kitty Hawk (July 16-17). Finally, the Hillbilly Jam brings moonshine, music, crafts and a whale of a good time back to Maggie Valley from July 21-23.

Celebrate the Fourth of July in grand fashion at the Sertoma Fabulous Fourth and Fireworks in Grand Forks, where fireworks will end a day filled with a parade, games and live entertainment. July 6-9 sees the return of Country Fest to New Salem, with four days of great country music (headliners include Locash, Jon Pardi, and Travis Tritt). Fargo is the place to be for those who love to shop as their Downtown Street Fair returns July 14-16 and will once again fill the streets with endless acquisition opportunities. The month ends in style as the North Dakota State Fair runs July 22-30 and will feature its usual array of events like bull riding, demolition derby, rodeo and great music. This year's entertainment includes Old Dominion, Kid Rock, Nelly and Sam Hunt.

Red, White and Boom! returns to downtown Columbus on July 1 to kick off the month with the largest Fourth of July celebration in the Midwest. Then, on July 4 itself, head to legendary amusement park Cedar Point for the Light Up The Point event which will feature one of the biggest fireworks displays on the Great Lakes. In fact, you won't go wrong almost anywhere in the Buckeye State as seemingly every town and community throws a delightful Fourth of July party. In Cleveland, the weekend of July 7-10 marks the return of the Tall Ships festival, which will celebrate all things maritime on the shores of Lake Erie. The Ohio State Fair is in town in Columbus on July 27, which will once again bring Midway rides, A-list entertainment, livestock events and more flavors than your taste buds can handle.

Edmond's LibertyFest has been celebrating Independence Day with a series of great events for 50 years now and 2022's golden anniversary promises to be one of the best editions yet. Highlights include the ParkFest park party (July 2) Road Rally (July 3) Liberty Sprint race (July 3) and a parade & fireworks on July 4. Great mid-month events in the state include the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (July 13-17) in Okemah and the Taste of Summer Ice Cream Festival in Broken Arrow (July 16). Finally, at Oklahoma City's National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Prix de West Art Exhibition & Sale will be showing off its exquisite collection of works from contemporary Western artists all month long.

Kick off the month by sipping some stellar suds at the Portland Craft Beer Festival (July 1-3), which will once again exclusively feature beers, wines and ciders brewed within the city limits. Or, decide to attend the largest Blues festival west of the Mississippi at Portland's Waterfront Blues Festival, which will run July 1-4. The city will also host another impressive music gathering-the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival-on July 15-17. Finally, if you love the summer aroma of lavender, make for Hood River as every weekend in July will see Lavender Daze bloom at the Hood River Lavender Farms complex. Last but not least, if you fancy a great small-town rodeo festival, head to Joseph July 26-31 for Chief Joseph Days.

Celebrating the Fourth of July in Philadelphia is something that every American should do once and this year's Wawa Welcome America Festival will once again take over the city from late June until July 4. After days of fun, the event comes to a crescendo on Independence Day with performances from Ava Max & Jason Derulo and one of the nation's best fireworks shows on July 4. The other A-list event on the PA Calendar in July is the York State Fair, which has been entertaining crowds since 1765. This year's edition will take place July 22-31 and you can expect the usual sensational range of Midway rides, livestock exhibits, concerts, agricultural education and deep-fried bites.

Bristol is the place to be on July 4 as the city will once again celebrate with an old-fashioned Fourth of July parade during what is regarded as one of the nation's oldest celebrations of its kind. At the end of the month, Newport welcomes the return of one of the nation's most highly regarded music fests in the Newport Jazz Festival (July 29-31) and Narragansett will pull out all the stops for the 50th anniversary of the Blessing of the Fleet Festival (July 28-30).

It will be hard to pry yourself from the Palmetto State's pretty beaches in July, but there are certainly a few events that will tempt you, starting with the 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray, which will feature a patriotic boat parade and fireworks. The state's signature event of the month is the Beaufort Water Festival, which will take place from July 15-24, bringing with it the usual array of Lowcountry flavors, fun events and live entertainment from the likes of the Eli Young Band and a terrific roster of tribute acts. The weekend of July 15-17 will see the return of the Peach Festival to Gaffney, bringing with it plenty of peach desserts, live music, arts & crafts and the crowd-pleasing tractor pull.

Start your South Dakota month out at the Black Hills Roundup, which will run through July 4 and feature its usual array of cattle drives, rodeos, parades and firework shows. Or, head to Mitchell to take park in Archeology Awareness Days, where you can learn more and get hands-on with this fascinating field of study with help from archaeologists, Native American cultural presenters and primitive technologists. One other exhilarating event in July will be the Innostake Skateboarding Festival in Sioux Falls July 7-9.

Start your month off at Lucky Ladds Farm in Eagleville for their Watermelon Festival then celebrate Independence Day in Nashville, where the Let Freedom Sing! the event will feature music from Old Dominion, Gramps Morgan and Cassadee Pope and the biggest fireworks display in Nashville history. The Fourth of July also sees the Hot Chicken Festival take place in Nashville, too. Over in Knoxville, the month closes with the Kuumba Festival (July 29-31)-the largest African cultural & music festival in East Tennessee.

After going virtual last year, the legendary Willie Nelson's 4th of July picnic returns to Austin with performances by Willie, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Midland, Tyler Childers and several others. July 15-17 sees the return of the Laredo Sister Cities Festival, which will once again feature artisans from Mexico selling a range of goods and great food from their home cities. End the month in beautiful West Texas at the Viva Big Bend Music Festival, which will once again feature over 50 bands performing in towns across the region (Marfa, Marathon and Fort Davis are among the towns hosting events).

Celebrate Independence Day at America's Freedom Festival in Provo (July 1,2 & 4), which will feature a carnival, balloon festival, grand parade and concerts from the likes of Tim McGraw and Marie Osmond. Wallsburg, Utah will be the place to be for lovers of Roots music from July 8-10 as the Wasatch Mountain Music Festival makes its return and Ogden will once again be heaven for rodeo lovers as its iconic Ogden Pioneer Days take place on July 20-25. In addition to the rodeo, there will be art strolls, fireworks and concerts.

Gorgeous mountain town Stowe will kick the month off with its Old Fashioned Fourth of July party, which will feature great food, entertainment and a fun "world's shortest marathon" event. Downtown Waterbury will once again blossom into an eclectic street festival and art gallery during the Waterbury Arts Festival (July 8-9), featuring works from over 100 artists in addition to great food and entertainment. Beer lovers will want to make a beeling for Burlington to sip some of the best brews in the Green Mountain State at the annual Vermont Brewers Festival (July 21-23).

Beliveau Farm Winery in Blacksburg will hold its annual Lavender Festival on the first two Sundays of the month (July 3 & 10) while Blacksburg also makes a great place to spend the Fourth of July as the city will hold its beloved annual parade and fireworks display. In Patrick County, there will be musical magic in the mountains again when FloydFest (July 27-31) returns and brings with it the great sounds of the Turnpike Troubadours, Lake Street Dive, Old Crow Medicine Show, Morgan Wade, Melissa Etheridge and scores of other great artists.

Seafair's Summer Fourth will get the Independence Day celebrations started in Seattle with a July 4 full of summer fun capped off by fireworks expertly choreographed to atmospheric music. Olympia will hold its much-loved summer Lakefair (July 13-17), which will once again feature a carnival, parade and fireworks while a similar style of fun & frivolity will take place over in Enumclaw July 14-17 at the King County Fair. Dive into the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun at the Japanese Festival in Seattle on July 16-17, then go have an "arrrghsome" good time at the Northwest Pirate Festival in Lacey (July 9-10) and if you're a music lover, why not end the month at Shelton's Bluegrass from the Forest Festival (July 29-31).

They've been throwing a birthday party for America in the small town of Ripley since the 1800s, making it the oldest celebration in the state. This year, a day of family-friendly fun will be capped by a performance from an Elvis tribute act and fireworks. Elsewhere, Wheeling will hold its Ohio Valley Pride Festival on July 23 and the Italian Heritage Festival on July 28 while the town of Nitro will hold its River & Woods Festival on July 23, which will feature great live entertainment, excellent food and even a Dolly Parton look-a-like contest.

July in the Badger State means one thing: music outside. Summerfest-the world's largest music festival-will come to a crescendo on July 1 &2 and July 7-9 with a roster of A-list headliners like Lil Wayne, Jason Aldean, Wiz Khalifia, Wu-Tang Clan, Rod Stewart, Halsey and tons more. Country Boom rolls into West Sales July 7-9 and brings with it big names like Niko Moon, Brothers Osborne and Russell Dickerson, while Rockfest is set to rock the stage in Cadott July 14-16 with names like Shinedown & Disturbed on the roster of performers. Then, Country Thunder rolls into Twin Lakes July 21-24, with performances from Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line among others.

July in the Cowboy State is synonymous with one event: Cheyenne Frontier Days. This iconic rodeo festival will take place from July 22-31 and will feature its usual array of Wild West fun and thrilling nighttime concerts (this year's lineup includes Sam Hunt, Kid Rock, Brooks & Dunn Dierks Bentley among others). Elsewhere, rock climbers from around the world will descend on Lander July 14-17 for the international Climbers' Festival for a few days of fun and plenty of ascending. Last but not least, the Riverton Rendezvous Balloon Rally will take to the skies the weekend of July 15-17.