July 2026
By Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
The New Port Richey Library will be closed on July 4, and Pasco County Libraries will close on July 3 – 4 in observance of Independence Day
There are plenty of activities and programs happening at area libraries, providing a fine way to beat the heat and expand your horizons, whether it be with a new read, attending a special event, or an ongoing program. Summer reading programs are up and running for those who enjoy a challenge and perhaps a reward for logging books and time spent reading. Go on and take a gander at some of what’s happening this month. As usual, there’s a lot to choose from.
Pasco County library card gives you access to all branches across Pasco County, New Port Richey, Pinellas County, Hernando County, and other libraries, providing an extensive selection of books, technology resources, classes, seminars, and other enrichment programs.
Be sure to explore local libraries on your own online by accessing the New Port Richey Public Library website here and the Pasco County Libraries website here.
Click the ad to take the Summer Reading Challenge at the New Port Richey Public Library
Check out the many ongoing programs and special events happening at local libraries that serve to enrich the lives of individuals in our community
Summer Reading Programs and Challenges
Special Events & Programs – This Month
Body | Mind Health
Career and Computer Assistance
Clubs
Language Classes
Library Master Gardener Programs
StoryWalk®at Local Parks
More Calendars
Very Special Annual Event!!! Back to School Clothes Swap, 2 – 5 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the New Port Richey Library | Donations accepted starting on July 24
Bring in any kids’ clothing or accessories that are clean and in good condition, beginning Friday, July 24th. Donations will be accepted in the children’s library. Then come back on the day of the Swap to shop for items new to YOU! Don’t have anything to donate? You can still come and shop at the Swap. Any items not selected at the Swap will be donated to local community closets.
- Accepting items for babies, kids, and teens.
- Clothing items accepted (no undergarments or swimsuits, please), sunglasses, hats, shoes, purses, and other “wearable” accessories.
- No adult clothing or non-wearable items, please.
- Please be sure that items are clean and in good condition.
- No additional items will be accepted after Friday, July 31st.
- New Port Richey Public Library Summer Reading Challenge, through July 31, 2026. Set personal reading goals, complete activities, and unlock badges throughout the summer for the chance to earn incentives and win even bigger prizes. Pack your bags, turn the page, and Book Your Journey! For more info and to register, click here.
- Pasco County Libraries Star Spangled Stories Summer Reading Quest, through August 2. Those who enter the summer reading quest and log 600 minutes through the Beanstack app are entered in a drawing to win a $100 Visa Gift Card in their age category! For more info and to register, click here.
It’s been a tradition for quite some time for local libraries to roll out Summer Reading Programs – a little enticement featuring educational and fun entertainment generally geared for elementary-aged children and their families. Below are some of the programs being offered in July 2026.
- Mr. Tommy, 3 – 4 p.m. Friday. July 10 at the South Holiday Library. Tampa Bay sensation MR. TOMMY will make children dance and sing as they enjoy sing-along songs brought to life by this masterful entertainer, storyteller, and musician.
- Giving Tree Drum Circle, 2 – 4 p.m.Tuesday, July 16, at the Starkey Ranch Library and 3 – 4 p.m. Friday, July 17, at the South Holiday Library.
- Mad Science, 2 – 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at the Starkey Ranch Library. Experience awe-inspiring experiments, mind-boggling demonstrations, and hands-on activities that make learning science an absolute blast.
- Tampa Taiko Japanese Drumming, 2 – 3 p.m. Friday, July 24, at the New Port Richey Library. Tampa Taiko is a fun-filled, interactive program that covers the history of taiko, the music of Japan, and a modern drumming performance. This presentation is recommended for elementary-aged children and families. The door will open 15 minutes before the show.
- Bits N’ Pieces Puppet Show, 3 – 4 p.m. Friday, July 24, at the South Holiday Library Branch in Holiday | Free | Grades K-3. Puppeteer Jerry Bickel brings the classic tale of Rumpelstiltskin to life in a vibrant live performance filled with music, personality, and charm. With a career that has earned him the Distinguished Career Award in Children’s/Youth Theater from the Florida Theater Conference, Bickel has enchanted audiences across the United States and around the world—from Europe and Asia to South America.
- Magician Cesar Domico, 2 – 3 p.m. Monday, July 27, at the Regency Park Branch. In his family-friendly act, kids and adults who volunteer will be amazed, while everyone in the audience will have a great time watching the show.
- MOSI Star Lab Sessions, multiple sessions starting at 12 p.m., Tuesday, July 28, at the Starkey Ranch Branch. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Join us for an Adventure in Space in the MOSI Star Lab Planetarium. This program is for children ages 6-12. Caregivers are not required to participate, but are welcome to join their child in the program room. To enter the Star Lab, participants must be able to crawl through a tunnel and sit on the floor inside the Inflatable Planetarium.
- Out of This World Dance Party: Dancing and Space Themed Activities, 2 – 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at the Starkey Ranch Branch. Music, dancing, space-themed activities, games, and more
- Boots and Boogie: A Western Themed End of Summer Party, 3 – 4 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the South Holiday Branch Library
For information about other events at the New Port Richey Public Library, visit the New Port Richey Library Event Calendar.
For information about other events at Pasco County Libraries, visit pascolibraries.org
Hamilton Movie Sing-Along, 4 – 7 p.m. Friday, July 3, at the New Port Richey
This filmed version of the Broadway phenomenon presents the tale of American founding father Alexander Hamilton. A story of America then, told by America now. Costumes are welcome!
This film is rated PG-13 and has a runtime of 2hr 40min. Closed captioning available.
Boots on the Ground Line Dance Workshop, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the New Port Richey Library
Learn all of the classic line dances (including Boots on the Ground). It’s a great opportunity to have fun, meet new people, and get a little exercise to boot. No experience required! For teens and adults
Orisirisi African Folklore: Moonlight Stories, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thursday, July 9 at the New Port Richey Library | Free
Moonlight Stories is an engaging anthology inspired by African traditions of audience participation, featuring lively call-and-response songs, captivating African drumming and dance, children’s games, and more.
This program is presented by Orisisi African Folklore. This performance is recommended for youth and families of all ages. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to the show.
Pages of Our Past – Exploring History Through Local Voices, 6 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa
Discover history-based local authors, meet local historical societies, enjoy small bites & mocktails, and enter to win giveaways through history trivia! Sponsored by Starkey Friends of the Library.
Tampa Theatre’s Big Picture: The Princess Bride, 2 – 5 p.m. Sunday, July 12 at the Starkey Ranch Theater, Library & Cultural Center in Odessa
Enjoy a free screening and brief discussion of The Princess Bride. Doors open at 1:30 PM.
The Princess Bride (1987) – A bedridden boy’s grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies, and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.
City of New Port Richey Cultural Affairs Meeting, 6 – 7;30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, at the New Port Richey Library | The public is welcome to attend
The Cultural Affairs Committee is an official committee of the City of New Port Richey. The committee is composed of committed individuals who are appointed by the City Council. Members make recommendations and advise the City Council regarding financial sponsorship and the creation and support of activities that promote the cultural education and appreciation of those who live, work, and play within the city. The Cultural Affairs Committee holds monthly meetings, and the public is invited to attend.
Foreign Film: La Chimera, 4:30 – 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at the New Port Richey Library
La Chimera is an Italian comedy-fantasy film set in the 1980s that follows Arthur, a whimsical man who uses dowsing to search for Etruscan artifacts. Still mourning his lost love, Beniamina, he returns to her hometown in Tuscia, where he becomes involved with grave robbers who profit from stolen relics, leading him into unexpected trouble. Enjoy a fully-loaded popcorn bar while you watch the film! It is not rated and has a runtime of 2hr 10min. Translated closed captioning available.
Seven Plays. Seven Stories. One Unforgettable Afternoon, 2 – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Starkey Ranch Theatre, Library and Cultural Center in Odessa | $20 | $15 for students and seniors
This exciting collection of one-act plays features original works by Florida playwrights, directed and performed by talented artists from right here in our community. With a vibrant mix of comedy and drama, each short play delivers its own distinct voice, ranging from laugh-out-loud moments to deeply moving scenes. Join Wesley Chapel Theater Group as we celebrate local storytelling and the incredible creativity happening on stages across Florida. Doors will open at 1:30 pm
Teen Mario Kart Tournament, 4 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at the New Port Richey Public Library | Free
Get ready for fast laps, friendly competition, and plenty of fun with a Mario Kart Tournament just for teens! This double-elimination competition gives everyone a second chance to race, even if you’re knocked out early. Presented in partnership with the New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center.
- Registration is encouraged for this event.
- Registration will open on June 22, 2026 @ 4:00 pm.
- This event is for registrants aged 12 to 18.
Chopped: Kids Cooking Competition, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at the New Port Richey Public Library | Free | Ages 8 – 17 | Registration closes on July 16, 2026
Cook your way through a mystery basket in the annual Chopped competition! Contestants must participate in teams of two or three. Advance signup is required; signing up does not guarantee a spot. Teams that are signed up will be selected at random one week prior to the event and notified. For youth ages 8-17, but all are welcome to come and be spectators. Please only register one team member to represent the team.
Tampa Theatre’s Big Picture: Little Women, 2 – 5 p.m. Sunday, July 26 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa
In 19th-century Massachusetts, the March sisters–Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy–on the threshold of womanhood, go through many ups and downs in life and endeavor to make important decisions about their futures. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
Summer Concert: Tony Tromboney Trio, 6 – 7 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the New Port Richey Public Library
Anthony Garcia, known as Tony Tromboney, is a Tampa-based professional trombonist and low-brass musician. His performances blend jazz fusion, Latin rhythms, and Second Line traditions into an energetic and dynamic live experience.
This after-hours show will take place on the first floor of the library. Doors will open at 5:30 pm.
Get Your Tickets to theatrical performances at Richey Suncoast for FREE with Your Library Card!!!
Check out the New Port Richey Library’s Theatre Pass Program and the Pasco County Libraries Discovery Pass Program, where you can use your library card as your ticket to the theatre! As part of the Theatre Pass Program with the Richey Suncoast Theatre, your library card will get you two tickets to a theatre show. To register, fill out the registration form for your desired showing. Seating is assigned by the Richey Suncoast Theatre. If you require special accommodations, please get in touch with the theater at 727-842-6777. Click here for info.
The Pasco County Libraries Discover Pass Program also grants two tickets to area museums, including the Glazer Children’s Museum, the Florida Holocaust Museum, the Imagine Museum, the Tampa Bay History Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Pete.
- Walk & Talk Club, 10-11 a.m. most Mondays at the New Port Richey Public Library.
- Tai Chi Gung, 2 – 3 p.m. most Tuesdays at the New Port Richey Library.
- Kids Yoga, 11 – 11:45 a.m. most Wednesdays at the New Port Richey Library.
- Yoga with Stacey, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the Starkey Ranch Library.
Health & Health Care Events
- Medicare Basics with SHINE, 10 – 11 a.m. Thursday, July 2, at the New Port Richey Library. The Medicare 101 presentation conducted by the SHINE Program will provide information on the basics of Medicare, with coverage that falls into four different areas called “Parts”- Medicare Part A, B, C & D, and what they mean to you. A SHINE volunteer will also be available to answer questions about each Part that holds your interest. www.floridashine.org Note: Individual appointments are available following the presentation.
- A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls, 1 – 3 p.m. starting Wednesday, July 8, at the Starkey Ranch Library. Join this free evidence-based 8-class series designed to manage falls and increase activity levels for participants aged 60 or older. Classes led by instructors from the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas and sponsored by the Friends. Students are asked to commit to attending the full series of 8 weekly classes. NOTE: You must be age 60 or older to enroll.
- Career Source, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday. Check the schedule for individual help by appointment.
- Tech Basics, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at the Starkey Ranch Library. Learn about various ports on a laptop or computer and their purpose, as well as different devices that can be used through these ports, such as a mouse, HDMI, flash drive, and more.
- Tech Help, Mondays & Thursdays at the New Port Richey Public Library. Register in advance for these classes to learn how to use email, word programs, social media, and more. Teens and adults.
- Tech Help by Appointment, 3 p.m. Wednesdays & Saturdays at the Centennial Park Library
- Walk & Talk Club, 10 – 11 a.m. Mondays at the New Port Richey Library.
- Chess Club, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Mondays at the New Port Richey Library. All ages.
- Stitched Together Knitting & Crochet Club, 4 – 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the New Port Richey Library.
- Teens & Tweens Chess Club, 3 – 5 p.m. Thursdays, July 9, and July 23 at the Starkey Ranch Branch.
- Silver Lining Social, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thursdays, July 2, August 6, and September 3 at the New Port Richey Library. Seniors in Service invites you to a Silver Lining Senior Social! Enjoy some time relaxing and mingling with neighbors and new friends. Light refreshments available.
- Dungeons & Dragons Club, 3 – 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 at the Starkey Ranch Branch. Explore the fantastic world of Dungeons and Dragons. Character creation and all D&D-related things. You may bring your own materials, such as Player’s Handbook, dice, and a notebook.
- Animonday: Anime & Manga Club, 5 – 6 p.m. Monday, July 28, August 31, September 28, October 26. November 30 & December 28 at the New Port Richey Library. For middle and high school ages. Discuss your favorite shows, characters, and manga series, and discover new recommendations from other fans. Enjoy Japanese snacks and chat, share fan art, and explore fun activities like trivia, crafts, and more.
Read to (Certified) Therapy Dog Programs for Kids,
- Regency Park Library – 4:30 p.m. most Tuesdays.
- Centennial Park Branch Book Club, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (adults) 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Tuesday, July 7.
- Regency Park Library Mystery Book Club, A Blizzard of Polar Bears by Alice Henderson. (adults)
- South Holiday Branch Book Club, 2 – 3 p.m., Thursday, July 14. (adults)
- Starkey Ranch Branch Lit Club, “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 18.
Meet Our Local Advertiser Sponsors
Helping to Spread What’s What New Port Richey’s Mission
“Connecting People to the Community They Live In”
Pasco County Library System-Wide Virtual and In-Person Classes
- English Conversation Group, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 -11:30 a.m. Fridays. The class will be hosted by Claudia from the South Holiday Library on Zoom. Intended for adults. Please email the South Holiday Library, sh@pascolibraries.org, for more information and to register. Registration required.
- English Basics for Beginners, 10 – 11 a.m. Saturdays. Basic topics such as greetings, simple conversations, and basic grammar. This is an adult class. The class is held on Zoom. Please email the South Holiday Library, sh@pascolibraries.org, to sign up. Registration required.
- English Conversation Corner, 3 – 4:30 p.m. most Saturdays at the Starkey Ranch Branch.
New Port Richey Library Language Offerings
Local libraries offer ongoing virtual and in-person language classes. Patrons are also welcome to learn on their own through language apps they can access for free through county and city library systems.
- Guten Tag!, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. most Fridays. Practice your German language skills in an informal and friendly group setting. This group is self-led; class will be led via conversation practice and not with an instructor.
- Mandarin Chinese, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. most Fridays. Practice your Mandarin Chinese language skills in an informal and friendly group setting. This group is self-led; the class will be led through conversation practice, rather than with an instructor.
- English Next Level, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Fridays. Improve your English skills at the Library! Enjoy a supportive environment to practice conversation and build confidence in your language abilities. This class is designed for those who already know the basics of English and want to improve their grammar and communication skills. Please note that this class is led by volunteers and is not a certified ESOL / ESL course
- Spanish for Beginners, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. July 11, July 25, August 1, August 8. ¡Hola! Learn Spanish from the ground up — no prior experience needed! We’ll start with the basics and then move on to phrases you can use in daily life. This series will last for 8 weeks, culminating in an end-of-semester fiesta!
Meet Our Local Advertiser Sponsors
Helping to Spread What’s What New Port Richey’s Mission
“Connecting People to the Community They Live In”
Check out the Master Gardener Programs and Seminars held at our libraries
For more information about the Pasco Extension and events, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco
New Port Richey Library has a Seed Borrowing Program and also hosts a weekly community market called Tasty Tuesdays
The weekly market is located in the courtyard of the New Port Richey Public Library at 5939 Main Street, New Port Richey. The market is open every Tuesday, rain or shine, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Find locally sourced foods, sustainably grown produce, cottage-industry baked goods, hand-made items, and more.
A StoryWalk® is an outdoor reading activity that allows children, families, and people of all ages to read a story while walking along a nature trail. Pages of a story are placed on posts on a trail, combining literacy and physical activity into one enjoyable experience.
- James E. Grey Preserve, 6938 Plathe Road, New Port Richey. First installed in March of 2020, our StoryWalk® takes you down a 1/4 mile trail through the preserve, reading a story together along the way. A new story is installed three times a year, each featuring additional early literacy activities and interactive tasks to enhance the story as you go.
- Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, New Port Richey. Includes 18 reading station posts installed along a 0.20-mile nature trail loop on the back-left side of the playground area.
- Withlacoochee River Park, 12249 Withlacoochee Blvd., Dade City. Withlacoochee StoryWalk®, located in Dade City, is a 0.30-mile trail with 18 posts.
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