Free July programs feature chainmail weaving, cryptid quests, puppet theater, music workshops, history, art, and hands-on activities for all ages
Hillsborough County, Fla. (June 29, 2026) - Join the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative for engaging, entertaining, and informative free programs for the entire family in July. The events listed below are only a sampling of the many scheduled. Find more listings under the "Events & Classes" tab at HCPLC.org.
The views expressed in these programs are those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or opinions of Hillsborough County, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries, or the Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc., which do not endorse the presenters. For more information about these and the many other programs at your library, call (813) 273-3652 or visit HCPLC.org.
Be social! Like the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System on Facebook and follow @TampaHillsLib on Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Shields Up! A Look in History
Wednesday, July 1, 2-3 p.m.
Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa, FL 33603
Learn about shields and armor that heroes carried into the battlefield.
- Shields Up! A Look in History
Wednesday, July 8, 11 a.m.-noon
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647 - Shields Up! A Look in History
Thursday, July 9, 4-5 p.m.
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647 - Shields Up! A Look in History
Monday, July 13, 11 a.m.-noon
Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz, FL 33548 - Shields Up! A Look in History
Thursday, July 16, 3-4 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618 - Shields Up! A Look in History
Wednesday, July 29, 4-5 p.m.
Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
Clay with Color Express
Wednesday, July 1, 3-4 p.m.
78th Street Community Library, 7625 Palm River Rd., Tampa, FL 33619
Teens will complete their clay masterpiece following step-by-step instructions. Materials provided. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
- Clay with Color Express
Wednesday, July 8, 3-4 p.m.
Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa, FL 33626 - Clay with Color Express
Thursday, July 9, 3-4 p.m.
Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview, FL 33569 - Clay with Color Express
Saturday, July 11, 3-4 p.m.
Egypt Lake Partnership Library, 3403 W. Lambright St., Tampa, FL 33614 - Clay with Color Express
Thursday, July 23, 2-3 p.m.
Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa, FL 33603
Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Wednesday, July 1, 3-4 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618
Your family is off on an adventure to Revolutionary War tourist spots, but you are not as interested until you see clues that point to a hidden adventure with strange creatures around each corner. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
- Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Tuesday, July 7, 3-4 p.m.
Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Tampa, FL 33615 - Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Thursday, July 9, 3-4 p.m.
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610 - Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Thursday, July 9, 4-5 p.m.
Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa, FL 33626 - Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Thursday, July 9, 5-6 p.m.
Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Dr., Brandon, FL 33511 - Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Monday, July 13, 6-7 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 2910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611 - Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Friday, July 17, 3-4 p.m.
Port Tampa City Library, 4902 W. Commerce St., Tampa, FL 33616 - Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Wednesday, July 22, 4-5 p.m.
Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613 - Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Wednesday, July 22, 7-8 p.m.
Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview, FL 33569 - Creeping Cryptids - A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Friday, July 24, 2-3 p.m.
North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N. Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33604
Medieval Chainmail Weaving
Wednesday, July 1, 4-5 p.m.
Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
Let's get medieval! Learn the basics of chain mail and jump ring weaving and make a simple scale mail keychain to take home. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- Medieval Chainmail Weaving
Wednesday, July 8, 2-3 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 2910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611 - Medieval Chainmail Weaving
Saturday, July 11, 2-3 p.m.
Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa, FL 33626 - Medieval Chainmail Weaving
Thursday, July 16, 6-7 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618 - Medieval Chainmail Weaving
Thursday, July 23, 3-4 p.m.
Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Rd., Seffner, FL 33584 - Medieval Chainmail Weaving
Tuesday, July 28, 11 a.m.-noon
Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz, FL 33548
Epic Music Theater Workshop!
Monday, July 6, 2-4 p.m.
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647
Write and perform an epic musical with Shana Banana! Students will co-create a song and story to present a mini-musical to friends and family members. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
The Road to the Declaration of Independence
Tuesday, July 7, 11 a.m.-noon
Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz, FL 33548
This vivid lecture charts how protest became revolution from British taxes after the French and Indian War to Boston's defiance, "Common Sense," and Jefferson's words that forged American Independence. Learn to create expressive portraits inspired by arts and culture. Work with colored pencils using an aromatherapy blending gel. No prior drawing experience necessary. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- The Road to the Declaration of Independence
The Hero's Journal
Wednesday, July 8, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N. Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33604
Learn about the hero's journey and start to write your own tale with world-building activities. Record your adventure in a journal you can take home with you. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- The Hero's Journal
Wednesday, July 8, 7-8 p.m.
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610 - The Hero's Journal
Saturday, July 11, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Rd., Odessa, FL 33556 - The Hero's Journal
Saturday, July 11, 3-4:30 p.m.
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647 - The Hero's Journal
Tuesday, July 21, 6-7 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618 - The Hero's Journal
Wednesday, July 22, 2:30-4 p.m.
John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602 - The Hero's Journal
Friday, July 24, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview, FL 33569 - The Hero's Journal
Tuesday, July 28, 3-4 p.m.
Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, FL 33596 - The Hero's Journal
Tuesday, July 28, 6:30-8 p.m.
Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa, FL 33626
Art Conversation
Friday, July 10, 11 a.m.-noon
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610
Join us for an engaging and interactive discussion led by a museum educator from the Tampa Museum of Art. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- Art Conversation
Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m.-noon
Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview, FL 33569
Star Lab with MOSI
Friday, July 10, 2-3 p.m.
Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Tampa, FL 33615
Let MOSI bring the wonder of astronomy to you! Our portable planetarium recreates the night sky complete with stars and constellations. Learn to distinguish types of stars, how to navigate using the night sky, and even listen to star stories! Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
Didgeridoo Adventure Down Under
Monday, July 13, 11 a.m.-noon
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618
Come hear mythical Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and colorful Aussie tales that take you to explore amazing Australia from the Great Barrier Reef to the Outback. Recommended for children. Tickets will be available at the marked service point 15 minutes prior to the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Didgeridoo Adventure Down Under
Wednesday, July 15, 3-4 p.m.
Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Tampa, FL 33615
Secrets of the Swamp with Florida Aquarium
Wednesday, July 15, 2-3 p.m.
North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N. Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33604
Strange sounds and murky bottoms. What secrets could the swamp be keeping? Students will go on a virtual journey through Florida's treasured wetlands with LIVE species ambassador native to the swamp. Recommended for children. Registration recommended.
- Secrets of the Swamp with Florida Aquarium
Friday, July 24, 3-4 p.m.
Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
Bits N Pieces Puppet Theater - "Rumpelstiltskin"
Tuesday, July 21, 3-4 p.m.
Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Rd., Seffner, FL 33584
In this lively marionette adventure, Rumpelstiltskin spins more than straw into gold. With music, mischief, and humor, the story becomes a celebration of honesty, teamwork, and the magic of reading. Recommended for children. Registration recommended.