It’s summer everywhere. The weather’s warm and people are out as long as the sun is. The festival season has not calmed down in the slightest, outdoor food events run the gamut, and athletic competitions abound. There’s also a few events on the quirkier side, such as a waiter’s race in Atlanta and the yearly (and fantastic) Sawdust Festival, a Southern California art exhibition, learning space, and market all rolled into one. Check below for more events near every AMLI apartment community around the country.
Atlanta
July 14: Waiters’ Race
Atlanta service professionals are invited to race for a trip to Paris. There’s a catch though. They must race with a service tray loaded with a glass of water, a glass of wine, and a split of champagne. After running the course, racers are judged on speed, service, and style.
July 16: Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival
Like tomatoes? Of course, you do. This ninth-annual festival allows guests to taste tomato-based snacks created by various local chefs as well as drinks from area bartenders. The event happens from 1-5pm at Park Tavern and is a benefit for Georgia Organics.
July 17-23: Georgia Restaurant Week
All across the state, restaurants are offer prix fixe menus featuring renditions of their best dishes. Smaller, taste-size entrees are available from Atlanta restaurants such as White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails, Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery, Joe’s On Juniper, and more.
July 22: Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
There’s more to do than eat ice cream at this festival. The ice cream celebration includes a cancer benefit walk, yoga and wellness activities, a young chef showcase, and, of course, an ice cream eating contest.
Austin
July 15: Texanische Nacht
German-Texan heritage is celebrated at this night of dancing, dining, and fun at Austin Saengerrunde. The night’s beverage partner is Twisted X Brewing Company and the 6pm dinner consists of chicken and beef fajitas. Dancing with live music by the Cornell Hurd Band is from 6-10pm.
July 15 & 16: Body Mind Spirit Expo
This traveling expo stops in Austin to showcase holistic healing methods, exercises, and speakers.
July 22: Iron & Wine
Touring in support of his latest album, Beast Epic, out August 22 this year, Iron & Wine performs material off his first album in nearly four years. This, Iron & Wine’s annual Midwives Benefit show, kicks off his national tour.
Chicago
July 14-16: Pitchfork Music Festival
Chicago’s trendiest music festival features crowd favorites like LCD Soundsystem, A Tribe Called Quest, and Solange, along with the usual suspects from Pitchfork’s music industry coverage.
July 20: Adler After Dark: All Star
This monthly adults-only night at the planetarium gives guests a complete run of the museum along with access to adult beverages from 6:30-10:30pm. This rendition explores the relationship between science, sports, and the cosmos.
July 21-23: Taste of River North
This annual tasting event features a veritable who’s who of the River North neighborhood and beyond, with restaurants like Big & Little’s, El Hefe, and Safe House providing eats.
July 22 & 23: Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk
One of Chicago’s best neighborhood street festivals, this one on Sheffield Ave. promises not to disappoint. Garden tours are self-guided, but master gardener tours are available at select times. The fest is held in tandem with the Chicago Craft Beer Festival which has beer tastings and live music on tap. A 0 donation helps supports civic and community organizations supported by the Sheffield Neighborhood Association.
Dallas
July 13: Art and Wine Walk
Hosted by Plano Magazine in the heart of downtown Plano, attendees can enjoy select wines while perusing the wares of the art district, along with live music performances and curated art exhibitions.
July 14, 21, & 28: Garden Gigs
The Dallas Arboretum holds a series of three singer-songwriter concerts in the gardens from 7:30-9pm for three Fridays in July. Each set is played in a different location in the arboretum for guests to enjoy the scenic summer plantings. Food trucks are also on-hand to provide refreshments.
July 15: Lakefront Paddlefest
Enjoy a family-friendly day outside the city at the beach from 10am-4pm in Little Elm Park.
Denver
July 15: Insectival
Have you ever wanted to attend a festival dedicated to bugs? If so, head over to the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster from 9am-5pm for traditional carnival games, live music, inflatables, spider walls, and food trucks by Elevation 5280, Teal Taco, Rocky Mountain Sno Caps, and Divine Ice Cream.
July 14-16: Slow Food Nations
Learn the art of day drinking, all about ancient grains, and take a farm tour. The Slow Food Nations festival is all about appreciating the finer aspects of dining and the enjoyment of food created by hand with natural ingredients.
July 12-30: Short Works
Dip your toe in the opera pool and test the waters with this series of engaging, dramatic 30-minute performances of classic scenes by artists from Central City Opera’s Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program.
July 14: Viva El Tequila Festival
Cadillac Bar hosts three hours of tequila sampling, cocktail pouring, beer drinking, and tacos from Cadillac Bar’s own food truck. Be sure to have a designated driver or a safe ride home planned.
July 15: Discovery Green Flea
This unique flea market settles into the southeast corner of Houston’s iconic Discovery Green. Guests can shop for antiques, vintage items, up-cycled and recycled furniture, and more.
July 20: Manchester United vs. Manchester City
One of the biggest rivalries in sports arrives from across the pond to duke it out at NRG Stadium. Manchester United faces off against Manchester City as part of the International Champions Cup, and as the first Manchester Derby not held in the teams’ native England.
July 21-23: Houston World Series of Dog Shows
Catch one of the best dog shows in the nation. Whether you’re a first-timer, a veteran, or just love dogs in general, it’s sure to be a worthwhile trip. This year is the show’s 40th anniversary.
Seattle
July 15: Seafair Milk Carton Derby
Got a bunch of milk cartons lying around? Probably not, but if so, there’s a boat race for you. Almost 100 milk carton boats go for a float in this annual Seattle tradition since 1972. The event is free for spectators.
July 15 & 16: Seattle Street Food Festival
Over 150 food trucks gather in South Lake Union over the course of two days to serve up some of the best street food the city has to offer. An urban craft market is also open for business featuring many staples from Seattle’s vibrant maker and craft scene. Attendance is free.
July 23: Chinatown Parade
The Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce throws a traditional Chinese parade through Chinatown. The route starts at King St. and 8th Ave and continues west.
July 27 & 28: Tasting Flight
Enjoy a few glasses from the region’s finest wineries while roaming the Woodland Park Zoo. Over 40 wineries are participating and guests receive 10 tastings with admission. Additional tastings and bottles are available for purchase.
Southern California
June 30-Sept. 3: Sawdust Festival
If you haven’t made it over to the Sawdust Art Festival yet, it’s now or never, because the yearly arts and crafts festival ends this month. Not only do attendees get to participate in dozens of classes, shop the wares, and enjoy live entertainment, but they are also able to celebrate the festival’s 50th year in business.
July 15 & 16: Ocean Festival
Head to the 41st annual San Clemente Ocean Festival for waves, surf, community vibes, and a serious bevvy of athletic competitions. Events include a lifeguard competition, dolphin dash, a biathlon, several surf competitions, and a host of kids events.
July 22: Cypress Festival
Oak Knoll Park hosts the annual Cypress Festival, which features local vendors, chili and salsa cook-offs, a car show, business expo, and a coloring contest for kids.
South Florida
July 15: Smoke on the Water Barbecue Feast and Competition
From 11am-6pm, this free-to-attend food competition takes over Esplande Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Tastes of the barbecue offerings are just .
July 22: South Florida Book Festival
The African American Research Library & Cultural Center hosts this book festival featuring author and reporter Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post.
July 27-Aug. 15: Miami Dolphins Training Camp Practice
Miami Dolphins fans can request free tickets to see the team practice before the NFL season starts. Shaded seating and autograph opportunities are available. A fan festival occurs on the weekends with inflatables, games, and food trucks.
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View All Posts by Nick Kotecki