Outdoor summer jazz is officially back in West Philly! The annual Cedar Park Jazz series returns this Friday, June 5, bringing live music, community vibes, and great energy to 49th and Baltimore.

Starting this week and running through the end of July, nine incredible local bands will take the stage every Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (weather permitting).

This is a free, family-friendly event open to everyone. Grab your lawn chairs, pack a cooler with water and snacks, and don’t forget your dancing shoes!

2026 Weekly Performance Schedule:

June 5: PM Revue
June 12: Karen Smith Experience
June 19: MJE Marston Jazz Experience
June 26: Garfield Fleming & Friends
July 3: Bobby Zankel’s Wonderful Sound Six
July 10: The Jazz Crew Big Band
July 17: Bert Harris and the AfroJazz Collective
July 24: Tia & The Connection
July 31: Fyrestorm

The event is organized by Cedar Park Neighbors with the help from neighborhood businesses and organizations. This year’s sponsors are Penn Live Arts, PFCU, Mariposa, VIX, Hellcat Studio, Carbon Copy, and Cleo’s Bagels. If you’d like to support Cedar Park Jazz, please go here.

The Jazz Heritage Series is also back! Performances take place at Malcolm X Park (51st and Pine) every other Thursday, 7-9 p.m. This Thursday (June 4), stop by the park to enjoy a performance by Kenny Davis.

West Philly Porchfest 2026 performance map screenshot (from Westphillyporchfest.com)

Get ready for a neighborhood-wide block party! West Philly Porchfest is returning for a major milestone this weekend, celebrating its 10th annual edition on Saturday, May 30, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The completely free, do-it-yourself music festival is set to transform the neighborhood into a massive outdoor concert venue, featuring more than 400 free performances across over 190 resident-hosted porches, lawns, and sidewalks. Continue Reading

Dust off your picnic blankets and lawn chairs: cinéSPEAK’s Under the Stars Film Festival is returning to the bowl at Clark Park for its 2026 season.

Transforming the historic neighborhood green space into an open-air cinema, the annual four-week festival will run every Friday night from May 29 through June 19. Each event features a combination of award-winning independent cinema, live musical sets, local food trucks, and connections to neighborhood advocacy groups.

This year’s festival centers around the poignant theme of “community resilience,” curating a lineup that honors how individuals and collectives organize, protect one another, and build solidarity across global and hyper-local movements.

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Movies in Clark Park returns in August. (Photo courtesy UCD)

Summer is just around the corner and the University City District has unveiled a schedule of live events in the neighborhood. From the return of the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll to outdoor movies in Clark Park, here’s what’s in store for the next four months.

Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll
June 4 and September 3 | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The stretch of Baltimore Avenue between 40th and 51st Street will once again transform for the Dollar Stroll. Neighborhood businesses and community vendors will offer $1, $3, and $5 deals on everything from signature bites and pet supplies to theater tickets. In addition, expect live music and local arts and crafts scattered along the avenue. Go here for more details.

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A West Philly-rooted lineup graces the Trolley Portal Gardens this spring as Pop-Ups at the Portal returns to 40th and Baltimore Ave. starting May 7. University City District is teaming up with local performer and curator  Gretchen Elise to present five weeks of free, interactive, all-ages entertainment. Pop-ups will run every Thursday from May 7 through June 4, 5:30 p.m.– 7:30 p.m., and are fair-weather only.

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The West Craft Fest returns to the historic grounds of The Woodlands on Sunday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the event has been rescheduled due to rain in the forecast for Saturday). A signature event for West Philadelphia, the spring festival will host over 100 local makers, artists, and performers for a day of outdoor shopping and community celebration.

Visitors can browse a curated selection of handmade wares, including:

Art & Decor: Paintings, prints, and ceramics.

Style: Jewelry, handmade clothing, textiles, and accessories.

Home & Body: Candles, stationery, bath and body care, and unique home goods.

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