Summer is in full swing as we’ve reached the midway point of the year in Butte County! The “dog days” tend to creep up a bit sooner in the area thanks to our warmer climate, but that shouldn’t suggest that July is lazy days only. On the contrary — even as the thermometer rises, there’s a wide range of activities for everyone to enjoy.
View the Fourth of July Fireworks
Independence Day in Butte County is a blast, and there’s nothing quite like celebrating the Fourth of July by watching the rockets’ red glare over the rolling hills. With several options across the county, you can find your perfect patriotic display.
- Oroville’s annual 4th of July Celebration will take place at the Table Mountain Golf Course. The fireworks can viewed from up to 3 miles away, but if you’re looking for an up-close experience, you can enjoy the show from the golf course for only $10 per car.
- Enjoy fast cars and fireworks with the Silver Dollar Speedway’s giant firework display in Chico.
- Paradise will have their 1,100 flags out from 6am to 6pm along Skyway and Elliot Road for a beautiful and patriotic drive up the ridge, and you can enjoy a patriotic concert from the Paradise Symphony Orchestra.

Go for a Dip
In Chico, Explore Bidwell Park’s swimming holes for a perfect retreat from the heat.
Once upon a time, the tucked-away spot on Big Chico Creek in Upper Bidwell Park known as Bear Hole was sort of a locals-only secret. Those days are long gone, but all that means is that it’s turned into a sort of natural public pool on its busiest days. The water’s always fresh and cold, and thus the perfect cure for those 100-degree days.
And that’s only the most popular one!
Other quality swimming holes in the park include Alligator Hole (great if you have little ones with you, since it’s quite shallow and close to the easily accessible parking lot and trailheads), Salmon Hole — further up the trail than Bear Hole and a bit more secluded — and Brown’s Hole, which is farthest from the park entrance but worth the journey if you value the exercise and the opportunity for some solitude.
In Oroville, relax at Riverbend Park. Check the flows first, but typically the Feather River moseys by the park, which itself is a clean, well-maintained place to play for families.
Shallower spots near the park will allow you to wade in and cool off from a grassy shore; there are also several spots locals use for diving where the river is deeper. It’s a great spot for a swim if you’re also planning a picnic or a game of fetch with a furry friend.
If you’ve got a boat, the deep, cool waters of Lake Oroville—the city’s top recreational site — are tough to beat for local watersports. But it would be a mistake to discount it as a great swimming spot, too.
Hundreds of coves, especially on the deeper north branch, make a day in the water just a short watercraft ride away — and many others still are within short hiking distance.
Adventure Under the Full Moon
If you prefer to explore after sunset, you can still experience the great outdoors without having to sweat it out under the summer sun with moonlit adventures.
In Oroville, the Forebay Aquatic Center is hosting its Full Moon Paddle on July 10, 2025, where you can view local wildlife, stargaze, or simply take in a relaxing paddle with friends and family from 7:45pm-10pm.
With the light of a full moon and helpful staff on available, it’s perfect for all skill levels (and don’t worry if you miss this one! You can enjoy moonlight paddles in August and September, too).
If you’re exploring the Paradise Ridge, head to Paradise Lake on July 26, 2025 for a night of Astronomy on the Lake from 6:30pm-10:30pm. Glide along calm waters with a guided twilight kayak, and then finish the evening on land with a guided sky tour for the ultimate night on the lake.
Want to keep your adventures on dry land? Head to Upper Bidwell Park for a Full Moon Night Hike from on July 11, 2025, from 9pm-10:30pm with the Chico Area Recreation and Park District. Learn more about nocturnal animals, the phases of the moon, and soak in the beautiful evening sky.

Get a Frozen Treat
Butte County has no shortage of ice cream, gelato, and frozen yogurt establishments where you can find a creamy dessert any time. And with National Ice Cream Day always on the 3rd Sunday in July, what better way to celebrate than by giving one of these locations a visit?
- Sweet Chico Confections: The Downtown Chico confectioner has a gelato selection perfect for warm summer evenings, with a good variety of flavors ranging from fruity to truly indulgent.
- Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy: A Chico staple since 1938, Shubert’s features ice cream and candy made on-site with local ingredients.
- La Flor de Michoacán: A massive selection of Mexican-inspired flavors, as well as more familiar classic ones. Whether it’s tamarind, almond or a classic strawberry or chocolate, “La Flor” will definitely have something you’ll like — and there are multiple locations in Chico and one in Oroville.
- Unicone Ice Cream & Treats: A Downtown Oroville favorite, the whimsical Unicone features a regularly rotating lineup of delicious Gunther’s Ice Cream.

Enjoy a Slice of Chico
One of Downtown Chico’s more popular summertime traditions, Slice of Chico offers family-friendly fun designed to put downtown’s shops in the spotlight, with one summery twist: watermelon!
On Saturday July 12, 2025, multiple watermelon stations offer cold slices of the refreshing fruit for all while you shop sizzling summer sales and enjoy other fun and entertainment.
So, whether you’re on the lookout for sensory overload this summer, or just looking for entertaining ways to relax and stay cool, Butte County has plenty of options to make sure you’ll always have something to do!