Here are 21 ‘cool’ things to do in July and August that you will NOT want to miss.

JULY

TUES 2

AquaVan
Rosa F. Keller Library and Community Center. The AquaVan brings the excitement of the Aquarium to the library. 11 am-noon.

WED 3

Uncle Sam Jam
Lafreniere Park. Enjoy this free concert, festival, and fireworks show. 5-11 pm.

THURS 4 – HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Go 4th on the River
Woldenberg Park. See a one-of-a-kind “dueling barges” fireworks display along the riverfront. Go4thontheRiver.com. Free. 9 pm.

SAT 6

Chicken Jam
UNO Lakefront Arena. Support the Al Copeland Foundation and eat fried chicken with your family. Free for children 5 and under, $5 admission for kids ages 6-12, and $12 advance admission for adults or $15 at the gate. Alcopelandfoundation.org. 2-7 pm.

SUN 7

Free Sundays at the CAC
Free for Louisiana residents on Sundays, courtesy of the Helis Foundation. 11 am-5 pm.

MON 8

Bugmobile at Cita Dennis Hubbell Library
Close-up encounters with bugs. 11 am-noon.

TUES 9

Tour the Abita Mystery House
Take a journey to the wacky and eccentric Abita Mystery House to view a collection of art, found objects, and strange animals. 10 am-5 pm.

FRI 12

Bastille Day Fête
New Orleans Museum of Art. The celebration provides an opportunity for families to celebrate France’s national holiday and Louisiana’s French heritage. 5-9 pm.

SUN 21

Wild Things Kids Triathlon
Audubon Zoo. Get kids, ages 6-14, active in a kid-only triathlon. Swim through the Zoo Lazy River, bike through Audubon Park, and run through the Zoo. $60 registration fee in advance or $65 on the day of the race. 7:30 am.

WED 24

World’s Smallest Magician
Jane O’Brien Chatelain West Bank Regional Library. Watch fantastic magic from a local favorite — Irwin Royes, the world’s smallest magician. 10:30-11:30 am.

FRI 26

Family Block Party
The National WWII Museum invites all families with school-aged children to join for an exciting after-hours evening. All children under 18 are admitted for free. $10/person for chaperoning adults. 5:30-9 pm.

SAT 27

Knock Knock Museum
Take a day trip to Baton Rogue and Enjoy a day filled with fun, creative, and imaginative play. KnockKnockMuseum.org. 9 am-5 pm.

WED 31

Harry Potter’s Birthday Party
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Come in your best wizarding robes and bring your wand to celebrate The-Boy-Who-Lived’s birthday. Movie marathon, games, and food all day long. 10 am-5 pm.

AUGUST

THURS 1

Melon Songs
Norman Mayer Library. Local former elementary school teacher and current storyteller and performer Philip Melancon performs his show “Melon Songs.” 11 am-noon.

SAT 3

Saturday Movies
Cita Dennis Hubbell Library. Watch a family-friendly movie at the library with free refreshments. 10:30 am-12:30 pm and 2-4 pm.

THURS 8

Reading to Rover
Rosa F. Keller Library and Community Center. Share the unconditional love of dogs with children who want to read, practice reading aloud, or who may not have a pet of their own. 6-7 pm.

FRI 9

New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings
Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints take on the Vikings in a pre-season game. Neworleanssaints.com. 7 pm.

MON 12

Hatch-A-Baby Experience
Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery. Do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience to hatch a baby alligator in your hands. Includes guided tour, catch pool, and hatching. Insta-gatorranch.com.

SAT 17

Open Canoeing & Open Fishing
Joe W. Brown Park. Enjoy free canoeing and fishing in the lagoon. All equipment is provided; just bring yourself and be ready to have fun. 10 am-2 pm.

THURS 22

Art for All at Ogden
Visit Ogden Museum of Southern Art where Louisiana residents receive free admission every Thursday, courtesy of the Helis Foundation. 10 am-5 pm.

THURS 29

New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins
Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints take on the Dolphins in a pre-season game. Neworleanssaints.com. 7 pm.

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