July 2026

The New Orleans festival celebrates Black culture across music, food, fashion, and community. This year: Cardi B makes her Essence debut, Michelle Obama tapes her podcast live, and one beloved ’90s R&B duo is back on the main stage.

Madonna returns with Confessions II, a follow-up to 2005’sConfessions on a Dance Floor. The rollout includes a short film with some very unexpected A-list cameos.

This round kicks off in Houston. Here’s where everyone stands right now.

This year’s a big one: The US semiquincentennial, aka 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed. Translation: Grander-than-usual celebrations — from commemorative 2026 coins to parades, fireworks, and a yearlong, nationwide push to volunteer.

The 2,063-mile, multiweek race kicks off in Spain, with one rider looking to continue his winning streak.

You read that right: It’s not New Year’s, but there will be eight livestreamed ball drops — one for each US time zone — to mark the moment we hit July 4 and America's 250th founding anniversary.

The annual competition kicks off in Coney Island, and 17-time winner Joey Chestnut hopes to break his own heartburn-inducing record.

The milestone fireworks show will feature more than 30 colors, 75 pyrotechnicians, and a staggering 20,000 effects.

Fun fact: It’s also the 80th anniversary of the bikini. May we recommend one of these editor-approved options?

Shark lovers, your next two weeks are booked with multiple documentaries — including one on hammerheads and another called Shark vs. Giant Croc. No relation to the shoe.