UPDATE (Oct. 28, 2026): Sharing Excess has received an additional generous donation from regional farms and is now expecting to distribute thousands of free, rescued pumpkins to Philadelphia-area locals, including an additional pop-up happening this Saturday on Halloween in West Philadelphia:

Saturday, Oct. 31 | Noon-2 p.m.
Malcolm X Memorial Park
5200 Larchwood Avenue

(10/27/26): Much like candy, pumpkin prices have also risen significantly in recent years. Fortunately, help is on the way for local families looking to celebrate Halloween.

Philadelphia-based food rescue nonprofit Sharing Excess is receiving donated pumpkins from several regional farms that otherwise would have gone unsold and been tilled back into the soil, and expects to distribute over 4,000 pounds of pumpkins to local families just in time for the holiday.

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Halloween is right around the corner, bringing one of our favorite neighborhood traditions back to Spruce Hill!

The 28th Annual Little Tot Halloween Parade & Party is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31. Costumed tots (age 6 and under) and their families are invited to gather at 45th and Larchwood starting at 4 p.m. The parade steps off promptly at 4:30 p.m., winding through car-free neighborhood streets and finishing up with the festive Little Osage block party on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue.

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7th Street Burger is opening at 3931 Walnut St this week. (Photo: West Philly Local)

7th Street Burger, the popular New York City-based smashburger brand, officially opened its doors in West Philadelphia on Oct. 21.

The new restaurant takes over the space at 3931 Walnut Street, previously occupied by Hummus Grill, which closed in May after 18 years of operation.

Known for its straightforward, no-fuss menu focusing on classic single and double cheeseburgers, Impossible burgers, and crispy fries, 7th Street Burger was founded in NYC’s East Village in 2021. Since then, the fast-growing brand has expanded rapidly across New York, New Jersey, DC, Boston, Connecticut, and the wider East Coast. This Walnut Street storefront marks the brand’s second location in Philadelphia, following its expansion into Fishtown.

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The West Philly Fright Registry Map screenshot as of October 20, 2026.

Your guide to all things wicked in West Philadelphia is officially back! The West Philly Fright Registry, which was first introduced last year, has officially opened its registration for 2026, welcoming everyone to map out their Halloween displays, treats, and festivities.

Whether you plan on handing out candy, building an elaborate haunted yard display, or hosting a neighborhood event, getting involved is quick and easy (taking less than two minutes).

How It Works

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The Friends of Clark Park is moving closer to updating the Clark Park playground, taking the exciting first step toward implementing the Clark Park Plan.

Following community feedback from pop-up “Play Jams,” stakeholder interviews, and public meetings—where neighbors emphasized a desire for climbing and heights, more swings, natural materials, and accessible spaces for all ages—the design team has put together a survey previewing the proposed new look.

The new design incorporates several core community priorities:

• Inclusive & Accessible: A strong focus on inclusive play and wheelchair-friendly access.
• Caregiver Comfort: Plenty of seating for caregivers and children.
• Tree Protection: Clark Park’s healthy trees are staying put. The design intentionally builds around them, utilizing special surfacing that protects roots while keeping kids safe.
• Natural Elements: The incorporation of natural materials like wood, stone, and plants throughout.
• Age-Appropriate Zones: Distinct areas tailored specifically for toddlers and older kids with appropriate equipment for each.

To share your thoughts and help shape the future of the space, please check out the survey and submit your feedback.

The Ethiopian Community Association building on 44th and Chestnut the day after a fatal fire. (Photo: West Philly Local)

As investigations continue into the devastating fire that broke out early Tuesday morning (Oct. 13) near 44th and Chestnut Streets, community leaders and local officials are expressing their deep sorrow and offering support to those impacted.

The fast-moving blaze began just after 6 a.m. on the third floor of a multi-family building that hosts the Ethiopian Community Center and is owned by the Ethiopian Community Association of Greater Philadelphia. Philadelphia Fire Department crews arrived to find heavy smoke and intense flames pouring from the upper floors and roof of the building, according to reports. Firefighters brought the fire under control within roughly an hour, but the severe structural damage left the building uninhabitable.

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In a moving tribute to local history and grassroots activism, community members, family, and local leaders gathered yesterday along Market Street to celebrate the ceremonial renaming of its 3600 block as “Walt Palmer-Black Bottom Way.”

Organized to honor the life, activism, and enduring legacy of Dr. Walter Palmer, the street renaming recognizes both an individual who spent decades fighting for civil rights and the historic Black Bottom neighborhood that was largely erased by 20th-century urban development.

During the ceremony, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier presented Dr. Palmer with an official City Council resolution formally recognizing “Black Bottom” as the original and historical name for this section of West Philadelphia.

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Steeply rising consumer gas bills were the focus of a recent analysis by the Philadelphia Building Decarbonization Coalition, and their report contains some surprises. In Philadelphia and across the state, major gas utilities are inflating our bills to cover accelerated programs of pipe replacement. For PA’s six largest utilities, such investments amounted to $11 billion over 2013-2025. Today about two-thirds of a standard residential gas bill in PA goes for infrastructure-related delivery charges, while gas itself accounts for only one-third. If this trend continues, even families that try to conserve energy will end up paying more.

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Spruce Hill’s favorite fall celebration is back! The annual Parktoberfest brings the neighborhood together for an afternoon of local brews, music, and community connection at Clark Park. Organized by the Friends of Clark Park, the event serves as a vital fundraiser to support ongoing care, beautification, and programming for one of West Philly’s most cherished green spaces. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10, transforming the park into a vibrant autumnal gathering space for neighbors of all ages.

All proceeds from beverage sales and donations directly benefit the Friends of Clark Park to fund year-round maintenance, tree planting, and public programming.

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UPDATE (10/6/26): More rescheduled sales are coming up on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 17, according to West Philadelphia Community Yard Sales organizers. The Yard Sale Map published in September received over 62,000 hits and there is interest in organizing another West Philadelphia Community Yard Sale this Spring.

Due to inclement weather, many of the 60+ West Philadelphia Community Yard Sales originally scheduled for Sept. 26 were rescheduled. Rain dates were updated on the Yard Sale Map.

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HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy will host its 5th Annual Community Day on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its campus located at 4400 Baltimore Avenue. The annual event brings together students, families, staff, alumni, and neighbors to celebrate World Cerebral Palsy Day, mark HMS’s 144th anniversary, and honor the students who drive the school’s mission forward.

This year’s Community Day carries special significance as HMS unveils its Vision for Impact—the centerpiece of a new six-year strategic plan. The roadmap focuses on strengthening the school’s core programs, expanding services, deepening community connections, and creating new possibilities for students and their families.

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State and city leaders gathered this morning to officially open the doors to the new home of PA CareerLink® West Philadelphia. Formerly located at 3901 Market Street, the full-service career center has relocated to 5548 Chestnut Street, Suite 101, placing comprehensive employment and workforce development resources directly accessible to neighborhood residents.

The relocation marks a significant step forward in expanding access to career opportunities across the city. By bringing free workforce services into the heart of West Philadelphia, local officials and workforce leaders aim to bridge the gap between job seekers and local employers, making career growth more accessible where community members live and commute.

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While ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 festival wrapped up earlier this summer, the celebration of local art and storytelling continues this fall in West Philadelphia.

ArtPhilly is presenting The Becoming, an interdisciplinary project created by artist Shavon Norris. Originally scheduled to run during the main festival, the postponed project will take place from September 30 through October 4 at the Painted Bride Project Space (4029 Cambridge Street).

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A new $20 million affordable housing development for seniors officially opened Tuesday at 6227 Catharine St. Community members and local leaders joined the Church of Christian Compassion for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Compassion Senior Living, which offers 38 independent-living apartments for adults aged 62 and older.

The Church of Christian Compassion developed the property in part to create an opportunity for older residents to remain connected to the neighborhoods and community they know as they age. Demand for the project has been high: 37 of the 38 units are already occupied, with roughly 65 percent of current residents having previously lived in West or Southwest Philadelphia. The community also includes four dedicated units for seniors transitioning out of homelessness.

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