Summer is in full swing here in Northeast Wisconsin! We’ve been on the hunt for all of the family-friendly things you can do around the area to enjoy during this glorious time of year. Here is our round-up of things to do this month that are FREE or inexpensive for your family!
Have a wonderful July, and don’t forget to check our family-friendly calendar for events and more things to do!
Keeping the Kids Busy in July!
Head to your library! Sign up for a Library Summer Reading Program, games, puzzles, state park passes…
Summer Camp Guide – There are still some options available. Don’t be afraid to reach out to full or closed camps and get on a waiting list. People’s plans often change, and spots may open up.
Neenah Parks & Rec: Playground on the Move – The Park Kart
The Park Kart brings physical activity, arts and crafts, and educational activities to youth and their families. The Park Kart visits areas with limited access to recreation facilities and services. The Park Kart is equipped with sports equipment, hula hoops, jump ropes, a 35’ parachute, hippity hops, and arts & crafts supplies. This is a FREE program!
June 10 – August 14, 2024: 4:45 – 6:15 pm
- Monday: Castle Oak Park
- Tuesday: Carpenter Preserve Playground
- Wednesday: Primrose Apartments
- Thursday: Liberty Heights
Drop-In Activities at Titletown in Green Bay
Titletown has lots of family-friendly activities, including everything from books and games, art activities, music, dance, active games, movies and more!
Wildlife Wednesdays at Menominee Park Zoo
Wednesdays throughout the summer a variety of presentations and outdoor activities take place inside the Menominee Park Zoo. The series is designed to help children and families develop knowledge, a healthier attitude, and respect of wildlife. It’s about the environment and how we are all connected. Follow Facebook for weekly event announcements.
Fun Runs
- July 13, 2024: Filthy Fun Kids/Family Runs in Fox Crossing
- July 21, 2024: Color Me Fun Run, Appleton Memorial Park (FREE)
- Children’s Week Kick-Off Event At Appleton Memorial Park: Ages 2-12 are invited to come out and participate in the runs. Festivities start at 6:30 pm
- Neenah Summer Fun Runs – Memorial Park, Neenah
Fourth of July!
Independence Day on July 4th is a time to enjoy fun with the family and celebrate our freedom on our nation’s birthday—festivals, celebrations, family-friendly events, picnics, fireworks, and more! We have over 15 options in our 2023 4th of July Fireworks & Celebrations in Northeast Wisconsin Guide.
Appleton Children’s Week
Appleton Children’s Week is a collaboration between Appleton Parks and Recreation, Building for Kids, and Appleton YMCA. The annual event is a week-long community celebration for kids from July 21-27, 2024. This event features over 40 free and reduced-cost activities for children in the Appleton-area community. Events include a Children’s Parade, the Playground Fair, a free day at the YMCA, a fun run, a kids rummage sale, and many more family-friendly things.
Outdoor Movies
Appleton’s Movie on the Hill — Bring a blanket (no lawn chairs) to our movie series and enjoy entertainment under the summer sky! Children’s games will begin at 7:00 p.m., and the movie will begin at dusk (approx. 8:45 p.m.). Concessions will be available for purchase. This is a FREE event!! There will be open canoeing on the pond before the movie.
- Thursday, July 11, 2024: Wish
Greenville Park & Recreation – Movies begin at dusk and are shown outside in the amphitheater, so bring your camp chairs and blankets to get comfy! In the event of poor weather, the showing will move inside the barn facility. The Greenville Lioness will be selling concessions every night. There are smaller activities like bean bag toss, coloring pages, sidewalk chalk, and fun games. A food truck is also scheduled to be at each event. The event starts at 6:30, movies begin at dusk.
- Wednesday, July 17, 2024: Trolls Band Together
- Wednesday, July 24, 2024: Kung Fu Panda 4
Oshkosh Parks Department – Throughout the summer, the Oshkosh Parks Department hosts FREE Outdoor Family Movie Nights under the stars at the Leach Amphitheater. It’s an excellent opportunity to let your family watch a movie outdoors. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to cozy up for a family-friendly movie. The kids will enjoy the bounce house and family fun provided by various local groups.
- Friday, July 26, 2024: Elemental
Looking for a drive-in movie? Check out Field of Scenes in Freedom!
American Family Kids Dream Summer Movie Series is once again offering FREE movies at Marcus Theatres! Beat the hot summer days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from June through August.
Keep Cool!
Grab your towel and sunscreen and head to one of these fun swimming pools in the Fox Cities. Summer in Wisconsin never seems long enough, so don’t delay! Prefer a beach? Don’t worry, we got you covered! Check out our Beach Guide with 30+ Wisconsin Lakes for Your Next Summer Outing. We also have lots of great FREE Splash Pad options in the Fox Cities!
Summer Events
We have so many fun festivals and events in Northeast Wisconsin!
Mid-Western Rodeo, Manawa: July 4-6, 2024
Known as the greatest show on dirt, the Mid-Western Rodeo is an annual rodeo event in Manawa. It features a variety of rodeo competitions, including bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and steer wrestling. The event includes food vendors, live music, and other family-friendly activities.
Hometown 4th of July Celebration: Omro: July 4, 2024
A fun-filled day celebrating our nation’s independence, including a pancake breakfast, an arts & crafts show, a parade, a pie & ice cream social, live music, and ending with fireworks at dusk at Scott Park in Omro (just outside of Oshkosh).
CommunityFest, Neenah and Menasha: July 3 – 4, 2024
Join the sister cities Neenah and Menasha for a two-day family event filled with boat parades, food, live music, a motorcycle show, fireworks, and even a pajama jam! There are tons of kid-friendly events, including a red, white & blue parade, face painting, magic shows, balloon animals, tree climbing, and more! Scheduled events take place at Riverside Park, Jefferson Park, Shattuck Park, and Curtis Reed Square.
Lifest, Oshkosh: July 11-14, 2024
Lifest is one of the largest Christian music festivals in the nation featuring over 100 acts on its seven stages. Ferris wheel, art space, inflatables, video games, petting zoo, sports tournament, and more! Children 7 and under are FREE.
Catfish Races & Community Night, Greenville: July 12-13, 2024
The Greenville Catfish Races is an annual event held in Greenville. The event is a unique and entertaining competition that involves racing live catfish! The event includes various activities, including live music, food vendors, children’s games, a bounce house, rock climbing, princess visits, community and business displays, a fireworks display, and more.
Paperfest: Kimberly: July 18-21, 2024
Paperfest is a fun, family-oriented festival that raises money for non-profit and civic organizations in the Fox Valley. Spanning three days, it offers fun for all ages through games, sports, music, and food. Activities include axe throwing, helicopter rides, carnival, kiddie bumper boats, giant lawn games, inflatables, rock climbing, river boat tours, toilet paper toss, balloon glow, craft fair, car show, fireworks, and more! The festival takes place at Sunset Park in Kimberly.
Fond du Lac County Fair: July 17-21, 2024
The Fond du Lac County Fair is an annual event held at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds. The fair features a variety of activities and attractions for people of all ages, including carnival rides, games, and live music performances. The fair also includes exhibits of livestock, produce, and other agricultural products, as well as educational presentations on topics related to agriculture and farming. In addition to the traditional fair activities, the Fond du Lac County Fair also hosts a bull riding and barrel racing show, demolition derby, tractor pulls, and various other special events throughout the week.
Pulaski Polka Days: July 18-21, 2024
Pulaski Polka Days is an annual event at Pulaski Community Park that celebrates traditional Polish music and dance. The annual polka festival features live performances by well-known polka bands from around the United States. Enjoy a day of music and dancing! The event includes fireworks, traditional Polish food and drinks, souvenirs, arts and crafts, a dance contest, pancakes, a parade and more.
Sovereign State Days, Winneconne: July 18-21, 2024
This annual event at Marble Park in Winneconne is full of family-friendly fun, including bounce houses, Moo Ice Cream Truck, Dairy Good Golf, an archery range, face painting, a parade, a pedal tractor pull, and fireworks. Other activities include a fishing contest, a fireman’s competition, a pancake breakfast, and more.
Art at the Park, Appleton: July 27-28, 2024
Art in the Park is an annual art fair at City Park in Appleton. The event features the works of over 200 artists, live music, food, and other family-friendly activities. Visitors can purchase art, watch demonstrations, and participate in hands-on activities.
EAA Air Venture, Oshkosh: July 22-28, 2024
EAA AirVenture is an annual aviation event held in Oshkosh organized by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). It is one of the largest aviation gatherings in the world and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The event features various aviation-related activities, including air shows, aircraft displays, forums and workshops, and a large vendor area. EAA AirVenture is a family-friendly event, and admission for everyone under 18 is FREE!
