Fireworks, barbecues, and patriotic playlists make July 4th the uncontested star of midsummer, but Independence Day isn’t the month’s only excuse to celebrate. As we continue our little-known holiday series, July’s calendar reveals an eclectic lineup of off-beat observances that can add fresh sparks to long, hot days. Here are five quirky gems worth penciling in.

National Video Game Day – July 8

Press start to party: National Video Game Day invites rookies and speed-runners alike to honor an industry that has leapt from 8-bit curiosities to cultural juggernaut. Mark the day with a couch co-op tournament, revisit a beloved cartridge, or finally tackle that sprawling open-world quest. Retro arcades and game museums often run free-play hours on July 8, making it a perfect excuse for multigenerational button-mashing. And everyone knows that video game sessions need plenty of Coca-Cola products!

World Emoji Day – July 17

If a picture is worth a thousand words, an emoji might be worth at least a cheeky text. World Emoji Day lands on 7-17 because that date is forever stamped on the calendar emoji 📅. Major platforms use the occasion to tease new icon sets, but you can celebrate by drafting an all-emoji memo or learning the hidden meanings behind ambiguous glyphs (looking at you, 🫠).

Pi Approximation Day – July 22

Math lovers unwilling to wait until 3/14 can snag another slice of π on 22/7, a fraction famously close to the transcendental number. Pi Approximation Day is a playful reminder that numbers, like pies, are best shared. Host a circular-food potluck, challenge friends to recite digits, or draw concentric sidewalk chalk spirals that approximate the real thing.

Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day – July 27

Created by green-thumbed duo Tom and Ruth Roy, this verdant stroll is exactly what it sounds like: an invitation to give your philodendron some sun and spark conversation with fellow plant parents. If schlepping a monstera down the block feels daunting, rotate your pots to a brighter window or re-pot them outdoors as a symbolic saunter.

International Friendship Day – July 30

Capping off the month is a global salute to the bonds that anchor us. Adopted by the United Nations in 2011, International Friendship Day encourages simple gestures—handwritten notes, spontaneous phone calls, a volunteer shift with a buddy, or simply sharing a Coke—that ripple far beyond July.

So, once the July 4th sparklers fade, remember that the month still brims with reasons to celebrate. Whether you’re mashing buttons, speaking fluent emoji, crunching numbers, promenading pothos, or hugging your bestie, July’s hidden festivities offer joy in every corner of the calendar.