July 2-30
Love a good summer blockbuster? Love it even more when it’s free? Of course you do! Families can catch free flicks at several spots around town this month. Pack a picnic and get cozy for outdoor screenings from Movies in the Park at the Riverfest Amphitheatre. Older kids can enjoy the campy (yet terrifying!) classic “Jaws” on July 11, supernatural romance in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” on July 18 or the Chevy Chase comedy “Caddyshack” on July 25.

Or, cool off indoors at free screenings from Chenal 9 Theatre at the Promenade at Chenal and Rave Motion Pictures Colonel Glenn 18. Chenal 9 Theatre features a different movie every week, with showings at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu.; in July watch kiddie films like “Stuart Little 3,” “Happy Feet Two,” “Babe,” “Dolphin Tale” and “The Pagemaster.” Every week on Mon. and Thu. at 10 a.m., Rave Motion Pictures will present films including “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” “Dolphin Tale,” “Shorts,” “Inkheart” and “Happy Feet.”

July 4
Celebrate Independence Day at the 29th Pops on the River at the Riverfest Amphitheatre. Of course, the day’s main highlight is the fireworks finale over the Arkansas River, but families will find other engaging activities leading up to the evening’s big bang. Stop by the Kid’s Pavilion for free activities, including a bounce house and obstacle course. Kids can also have their faces painted, play games, snag a balloon animal and visit the fish in the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission’s traveling aquarium. At 6:30 p.m., finalists from the “Oh Say Can You Sing?” contest belt it out American Idol-style; patriotic performances by the Happy Tymes Jazz Band and The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra follow.

Want to avoid the crowds altogether? Head to Peabody Little Rock’s Rockets on the Roof cookout at 7 p.m., held on their Rivertop deck for guaranteed stellar views of the fireworks. Pops on the River is FREE!  Rockets on the Roof is $45, children ages 6-11 $25, children under 6 FREE. For info: (501) 399-8062.

July 13-29
You can’t stop the beat, and you won’t want to when the Community Theatre of Little Rock presents "Hairspray" this summer at The Public Theatre. Set in the 1950s Baltimore, the hit Broadway musical tackles desegregation, teen girls’ self-esteem and other “weighty” issues, all set to a catchy soundtrack. The tale follows Tracy Turnblad, a plus-size gal who loves to dance and makes it onto the local TV program, The Corny Collins Show. Performances run July 13-29; 7:30 p.m. Fri. & Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun. $16, seniors $14, children under 7 FREE.

July 26-29
Put on your party hat and get ready for the Barnum Bash, the newest show from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The traveling circus will pull its caravans into Verizon Arena July 26-29, bringing along all the sights and spectacles of the Big Top tradition—majestic Asian elephants, Anton the goofy clown, death-defying stunts and Dimitri the Strong Man. Plus, families can meet the show’s cast in a pre-show party on the arena floor. Learn dance moves from DJ Dean the clown, pick up a few juggling tips, pose for photos with the performers and say hello to the production’s animal stars. Ticket prices range from $11.75-$50.75. For complete schedule and tickets: (800) 745-3000 or VerizonArena.com.