If you have wanted to explore University City/West Philly area restaurants, here’s a great chance.

University City Dining Days, is returning from July 17th through July 27th. This year’s event, organized by University City District (UCD), will include over 25 local restaurants and eateries. During these 11 days, guests can enjoy three-course meals for lunch or dinner for the set prices of $20, $30, or $40.

Dining Days offers a great opportunity to sample the area’s diverse restaurant scene at reduced prices while boosting business for eateries during the slower summer months. This is a great chance to try something new or revisit a neighborhood classic.

Participants this year include returning favorites Han Dynasty, Sabrina’s Cafe, and New Delhi along with first-time participants Haraz Coffee House, Lulu Cafe, and Corio.

Please note that all the reservations should be made directly at a restaurant of your choice. See the full list of participating restaurants and their contact info, plus Dining Days menus by visiting ucdiningdays.com.

Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the conclusion of the Philadelphia city workers strike today. The strike began on Tuesday, July 1. After negotiations, the City and AFSCME District Council 33 (DC 33) have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract that will provide a more fair compensation for municipal employees. Following the conclusion of the strike, all City departments are now preparing to resume normal operations.

Normal curbside trash and recycling collections will resume on Monday, July 14. Temporary dumpster sites will be transitioned out and shut down on a rolling basis. Residents can stay updated on the list of sites here. Dumpster sites will be staffed with trash compactors and crews temporarily as the residual trash and debris is cleaned up.

Residents are urged to use the six Sanitation Convenience Centers. The centers will be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, they will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beginning Monday, July 14 they will resume normal operations, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information on the new agreement and the schedule for resuming other city services, please click here.

Starting Wednesday, July 9, the Penn Museum (3260 South St) will be hosting Garden Jams, its popular summer outdoor concert series. Every Wednesday evening in July guests can enjoy live music by local Philadelphia bands, food trucks, and cocktails in historic Stoner Courtyard, a hidden garden oasis just off of South St. Each event begins at 5 p.m.

Feel free to BYO blanket and picnic essentials, excluding alcohol. The garden bar is fully stocked with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic refreshments. Please note that concerts are held indoors during inclement weather.

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Experience the Best in Philly Jazz at the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival

The 2025 Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival promises to be the best one yet, as it returns to Saunders Park Greene (39th and Powelton) on Saturday, July 19 from Noon to 7 p.m. The festival celebrates West Philadelphia and jazz musicians with spectacular live performances, local vendors, fun children’s activities, and delectable treats from food trucks. The event is rain or shine, free, live and family-friendly.

The all-day event is open to the public, organized by HopePHL (formerly People’s Emergency Center and Youth Service, Inc.), The Producer’s Guild of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, a committee of community members and the Office of PA Senator Vincent Hughes, with technical assistance from Nu Millennium Media Productions.

“We are very excited about this year’s Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival,” said Bernadine Hawes, HopePHL Community Development Corporation Acting Board Chair, “it’s guaranteed to be an enjoyable day out for anyone in or near West Philadelphia on July 19.”

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The SEPTA trolley tunnel connecting West Philadelphia with Center City under the Schuylkill River will close for the annual maintenance project, Trolley Tunnel Blitz, for one month beginning Friday, July 11. Due to the closure, SEPTA Trolley Routes 10 (T1), 34 (T2), 13 (T3), 11 (T4) and 36 (T5) will not operate in the tunnel from 10 p.m. on Friday, July 11 through 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11.

During the tunnel closure, trolleys will be diverted to 40th and Market via 42nd Street. Riders can board SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line (L) at 40th Street Station for travel to Center City. For travel from Center City to West and Southwest Philadelphia, riders can board the L and then connect with trolley routes at 40th Street.

SEPTA crews will work on critical track and power maintenance, station upgrades and intensive cleaning as part of the 2025 Trolley Tunnel Blitz. In addition to the maintenance by SEPTA, PennDOT will be working on the tunnel under the Schuylkill River.

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West Philly jazz music lovers have many opportunities to enjoy live outdoor jazz every summer. Cedar Park Jazz nights kicked off last month at 49th and Baltimore with performances held every Friday night through the end of July. And here’s another great West Philly summer tradition: Jazz Heritage Series is held at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine) every other Thursday from May through September.

The series, presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and co-hosted by the Friends of Malcolm X Park and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, features free live performances by some of the best local musicians. Showtime is 7 p.m. (weather permitting). Please bring your own chairs!

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