Red, White and You: Community Activity Highlights for July 2025

You can get a copy of the full guide to classes and programs in our Community Center, which includes our Recreation Center, Library, Aquatic Center, Gerdin Conference Center and other spaces, published three times each year, in person at the Community Center, 520 W. Cherry St., or online. These highlights of the coming month are published on the third Thursday of each month. You can sign up to have this emailed to you at northlibertyiowa.org/subscribe.

News & Updates

The Recreation Department’s guide to fall programs drops in July, with registration for most programs starting 6 a.m. on Aug. 4 online at northlibert.recdesk.com or in person at the Community Center.

In Case You Missed It

All ages are invited to participate in the North Liberty Library’s Summer Reading Program. This summer’s theme is Level Up at Your Library! The program challenges participants to complete 700 minutes of reading between June 9 and Aug. 8 to earn prizes and be entered into a prize drawing. Learn more at northlibertylibrary.org/srp.

City Slate Events

Fireworks
July 3, 9:30 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, Free
Enjoy a fantastic display the evening before your Independence Day celebrations.

Eras in the Park: A Free Taylor Swift Tribute for Fans of Every Era
July 10, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, Free
Sing and dance at this all-ages, free outdoor show celebrating the music and eras of Taylor Swift, as performed by Swift Nation. The grounds and fun start at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.  Swift Nation Tribute is a cover band that has no association with Taylor Swift, her brand or corporate entities in any way. This show is fan-sponsored and not endorsed by or affiliated with TAS Rights Management, Taylor Swift, or their affiliated entities.

Ranshaw House Concert Series
July 11, 18 and 25, 6 to 8 p.m., Ranshaw House lawn, Free
Catch up with friends and socialize as a community on the Ranshaw House lawn. Bring a picnic, BYOB and enjoy live music from local artists performing on the historic house’s front porch.

Other Events

Music on the Move: Kevin Burt
July 2, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Old Town Plaza, Free
The legendary Kevin Burt returns with powerful vocals and soulful vibes! Grab a friend and head to Old Town Plaza at City Hall for a night of great music and community spirit, brought to you by Summer of the Arts.

Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Music4Tots with Music4Life
July 10, 10:30 a.m., Library, Free
Sing, play, and smile all the way with Music4Life at this fun interactive music class for children ages 1 to 6. All classes include singing, playing with instruments, practicing rhythms, music stories, instrument petting zoo, and of course dancing!

Swimming Storytime
July 18, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Aquatic Center, Free
Join the library staff and lifeguards for a fun summer storytime by the pool on the outdoor pool deck followed by free, open swim.

Doodlebugs
July 28, 10:30 a.m., Library, Free
Aha! It’s Zaha! Zaha Hadid was an architect who designed buildings like nobody had ever seen —ones that look like water or wind. Build your own curving, winding structure today, inspired by nature.

School-Aged Youth

Super Tuesdays at the Ranshaw House
July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 28, 12 p.m., Ranshaw House lawn, Free
Join library staff after Summer Lunch & Fun for activities including Minecraft Stress Cubes, Sun Prints and Catapults.

Tweendom
July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 3 p.m., Library, Free
Join us weekly for crafts and activities geared toward tweens, including Dragon Eggs, Pokemon Pom-poms and DIY Dice Set.

Teen Thursdays
July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 3 p.m., Library, Free
Bring a friend for weekly programs geared toward teens, including a service project, video game Perler bead art and fire coasters.

Movie Mondays
July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 3 p.m., Library, Free
It’s movie day at the library! Come enjoy a movie, like The Wild Robot and Minecraft Movie, each Monday this summer. Light snacks will be provided and feel free to bring along lidded drinks and additional snacks along with lawn chairs and/or blankets for your comfort.

Youth Beginner Pickleball Camp
July 8, 12, 15 and 17, 11 a.m.  to 12:30 p.m., Penn Meadows Park

This camp for ages 8 to 14 is a great introduction to one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. Fun meets fitness as campers learn from our passionate instructors who will tailor sessions to skill level, keeping engagement throughout the week. Paddles and pickleballs provided.

Queer Connections
July 26, 2 p.m., Library, Free
Share your pride. Reclaim your history. Connect with your community. Join the Queer Elders of Iowa City to bridge generations for a social gathering full of food, activities and conversation. This is an inclusive and welcoming space to share lived realities, resources and connections.

Adults & Senior

Yoga & Strength for Midlife Wellness
July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., $48
Ease out of your Monday and into your evening with a dynamic blend of yoga and functional strength. This class is designed to build bone density and core strength, leave participants feeling strong, centered and ready for the week ahead. No experience necessary. Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. Advance registration is required for class to run, so sign-up early to secure your spot!

Small Biz in Small Libraries: All About Legal
July 9, 6 p.m., Library, Free
Swimming through the legalese of your business can be overwhelming – but no fear! This session’s facilitator, attorney Mackensie K. Graham, is here to help. As the founder of Coralville’s Ampersand Legal, Mackensie will walk attendees through the top five legal focuses you need to keep your small biz on the straight and narrow.

Register.

55+ Connections: Tuesday Gathering
Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Library, Free
Join us for a weekly social gathering that will feature rotating activities and friendly conversation – board games, puzzles, art, book discussions, and more!  Breakfast snacks and coffee provided.

Cook the Book
July 19, 5:30 p.m., Library, Free
Pick a recipe, make it and bring it to the library to share! Whisk your way into the cozy world of Pelican Town as we crack open The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook—where every recipe serves up a taste of comfort, community, and a dash of pixel-perfect charm. Registration and recipe selection begins June 27 in the library.

Families

Board Game Night with Dealt Hand
July 8, 5 to 8 p.m., Library, Free
Let the games begin! Get ready for nonstop fun, fast-paced moves and big laughs. Bring the whole family and dive into a night of epic board game battles and unforgettable moments. The Dealt Hand will bring over 200 games to play, and staff ready to recommend, teach and support you.

Binspire Messy Play Date
July 19, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Community Center, $15
This outdoor event will have various stations set up with paint, water, mud, shaving cream and more for your little ones to get messy. Our child-led, open-ended play encourages creativity, builds confidence, and helps children experience new textures and practice social skills. Bring your kids, ages 3 to 8 years old, in clothes that can get messy and let them explore and play with us.

Summer Lunch & Fun
Weekdays June 16 – Aug. 15 (no July 4), 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ranshaw House, Free
The program provides a free lunch and an activity for kids 0 to 18 years old every weekday during the summer months, no questions asked. No registration is required.

Ocean Odyssey Stingrays
July 30, 5 and 6 p.m., Library, Free
The National Mississippi River Museum brings live ocean animals to you! Ocean Odyssey is an exciting marine education program that offers an up-close look at the fascinating world of stingrays and their vital role in ocean ecosystems.