City Cast Madison logo

Your Guide to Madison in July 2025

Posted on July 1, 2025   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas

A group of men playing music on a stage bathed in green light.

Coldplay, shown here playing Rose Bowl Stadium in 2023, will pack Camp Randall on July 19. (Monica Schipper / Getty Images)

It’s getting hot out there, which doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors all the time, you just have to be smart about it. And there’s plenty to do in Madison both inside and outside this July. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, the gang gets together to talk about what we want to see, do, and eat this month.

City Cast

Your Guide to July 2025 in Madison

00:00:00

Here’s some more fun things to do this July.

🎵 Music For Every Budget

Would you like to spend $700 to see live music or would you like to pay nothing? Either way, July has got you covered. On the high end, of course, is Coldplay coming to Camp Randall on July 19. The show is officially sold out, but there are seats on third-party sites going for $600 and up (way up).

Or you could save all that money and go to one of Madison’s great free music festivals, including La Fete De Marquette July 10-13 and AtwoodFest July 26-27. I also recommend hanging out on the patio at the High Noon Saloon for free music and Chocolate Shoppe ice cream. The aptly-named Porch Flowers play the patio on July 3.

🛍️ Shop Till You Drop

Madison’s big summer shopping event, Maxwell Street Days, returns to State Street on July 17-20. It’s a great way to celebrate the independent retailers downtown, whether you want a new gift from Little Luxuries, something that smells nice from The Soap Opera, or new threads from State Street’s many resale shops.

Or you could spend some money at Art Fair on the Square on July 12 and 13 on the Capitol Square. (PSA: The Art Fair is bumping the Dane County Farmers’ Market that weekend, which will be over at Breese Stevens Field on July 12 instead.)

🎪 The Fair Is Where It’s At

A salsa dancing night, a jigsaw puzzle competition, a classic car showcase – there’s a lot more going on at the Dane County Fair than just farm animals, Ferris wheels, and funnel cake (although there’s plenty of all those, too).

The fair runs from July 17-20, every day packed with family-friendly activities. I might have to head down for the Dress-A-Critter animal costume contest.

Share article

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Madison's Best

See All
Madison's BestApril 30

Your Guide to May 2026 in Madison

From Brat Fest to Tulip Fest, from 'Newsies' to Charlie Berens, there's lots going on in Madison this spring.

A man in a gray shirt in front of a blue brick wall.
Madison's BestApril 29

The Madison Mystery Tour Is Coming To Take You Away

Over a half-century after they broke up, the Beatles still have a huge hold on popular culture. For over a decade, the Madison Mystery To...

A man in a bow tie plays an electric guitar behind a man playing a keyboard.
Madison's BestApril 27

Madison’s Circus Scene isn’t Clowning Around

While Circus World in Baraboo is what put Wisconsin's circus scene on the map, there's lots of acrobatics, clowning and more going on in...

A man and a woman in a circus ring juggling hoops.
Madison's BestApril 21

Your Guide to the Barrymore Theatre’s Fit Film Fests

In addition to being a favorite spot for live music and comedy, the Barrymore Theatre on Madison's east side hosts one-night-only film fe...

The interior of a theater full of people.
Madison's BestApril 13

How to Celebrate Earth Day 2026 in Madison

Earth Day is personal for Wisconsin, because it was U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson who made it a national day to celebrate and promote environm...

A man in a plaid shirt peruses a rack of clothes.
Madison's BestApril 6

After ‘John Wick,’ Madison-Born Writer Wants Something ‘Normal’

Derek Kolstad may be best known for writing the first three "John Wick" movies. His latest action film, "Normal" starring Bob Odenkirk an...

A sheriff holding a gun is flanked by two other people.
Madison's BestApril 1

Your Guide to April 2026 in Madison

Along with the nicer weather comes the return of the Dane County Farmers’ Market to the Capitol Square on April 11.

A woman arranging purple and white flowers.
Madison's BestMarch 17

Where to Enjoy Classical Music in Madison

From the Madison Symphony Orchestra to the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, there are plenty of top-quality classical music groups in Madison...

A conductor in a black jacket waves a baton at musicians.

The latest in Madison