Things To Do in Detroit in July

Salute to America at Greenfield Village – July 2-5

In partnership with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Henry Ford proudly presents Salute to America in Greenfield Village. A festive collection of songs, food, and fanfare connects families, friends, and neighbors to honor America.

Detroit Festival of Books at Eastern Market – July 21

Join over 10,000 attendees for this free annual event! Vendors will be selling books of all sorts, along with comic books, vinyl records, creative arts and more. You can also enjoy food, drinks, live music, and all of the treasures you can normally find on a visit to Eastern Market.

Hotter Than July – July 26-28

Hotter Than July started in 1996 to celebrate Detroit’s Black LGBTQ+ community. It holds the title of the world’s second-oldest Black LGBTQ+ Pride with over 9,000 in attendance in person in 2019. Hosted by LGBT Detroit, this weekend-long series of events partners with community leaders and supporters by offering various safe spaces for educating and showcasing the culture.

That's just a taste of some exciting events this July. You can also look forward to like the Light Up Livernois Design Festival, the Concert of Colors, and the Sterling Freedom Festival.

Plus, enjoy a ton of art and music festivals and celebrate summer with talented local creators at events like the Orchard Lake Fine Art Show, Chandler Park Community Arts and Culture Festival, and Summer Music Series in the Village of Rochester.

For a list of events happening this weekend, click here.

Detroit always offers an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures with sights, sounds, flavors, and lessons in everything from history to traditional dances. July is the perfect month to explore and learn more.

Experience the 41st Annual African World Festival, a jubilant celebration of African culture. Experience live music, witness breathtaking performances, indulge in delicious African cuisine, and explore an array of unique crafts and fashion.

Immerse yourself in culture at the Arab and Chaldean Festival, where you can experience a fusion of captivating music, dynamic dance performances, authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, and a bustling marketplace filled with unique cultural treasures.

Come to the Clark Park Arts and Culture Festival which features a great lineup of music and dance, including musicians from the DSO, local artists, and students from Southwest Detroit.

The Czech & Slovak Festival in Dearborn Heights offers a delightful journey into the rich heritage of Czech and Slovak traditions. Enjoy lively folk music, traditional dances, and delectable Czech and Slovak dishes, and explore a variety of handcrafted items.

Celebrate a Tigers win at Comerica Park, catch a concert at The Fox, and enjoy endless entertainment options on your visit to Detroit.

Enjoy Dinner and a Show

July is a great time to catch a concert, with tons of live music in Detroit and the metro area! Catch names like Janet Jackson, The Beach Boys, Third Eye Blind, Niall Horan, Alanis Morissette, Def Leppard, Jennifer Lopez, Earth Wind and Fire, and more!

For more summer fun head to metro Detroit area shopping malls and downtowns for fun finds, free live music, and more! You can find nearly a dozen malls with a variety of stores in the area, each featuring its own exciting calendar of events.

Catch some rays and get outside at the Huron Clinton Metroparks. There are 13 parks throughout metro Detroit with 25,000 acres of woods, water, and recreational facilities. Each park offers a variety of hiking trails, biking trails, playgrounds, and more, but some of the parks feature more unique activities like beaches, golfing, waterparks, boating, and a farm. You can also cool off on the water by renting a kayak, paddleboard, or jet ski!

With all of the non-stop fun, you’ll surely work up an appetite. Stop by one of our favorite patios in the city and make the most of the long summer days. If you need a reprieve from the heat, try a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum, or the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.