Summer in University City

There’s nothing like summer in University City! Read on for details on UCD’s signature summer events that highlight the sights, sounds, and tastes that make our neighborhood one-of-a-kind!

A singer with long braids performs with a microphone in front of a lively crowd at the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll.

Each summer, University City District partners with local businesses, restaurants, organizations, and performers to present a robust schedule of free and fun events throughout University City. Details on our Summer 2026 season will be available in the spring. Meanwhile, you can relive the memories from 2025 by clicking here! Make sure to bookmark our Community Calendar so you can keep up-to-date on all the great events happening throughout the neighborhood all year long!

Pop-Ups at The Portal

Pop-Ups at the Portal is an annual series presented by University City District in partnership with local artist Gretchen Elise for 5 weeks in May and early June. Pop-up performances bring out community members, families, local employees, and passersby to enjoy UCD’s beautiful Trolley Portal Gardens. Dates and performers TBA!

 

Learn more about Pop-Ups at The Portal
Visitors enjoying the Dollar Stroll in June of 2024.

The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll

The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will return in 2026 for two Thursday evenings, one in June and one in September, from 5 to 8 PM. Dates TBA! During this unique event, University City’s Baltimore Avenue between 40th and 51st Streets showcases its charm with $1, $3, and $5 bargains from neighborhood favorites and community vendors. Grab everything from bites from signature restaurants to pet supplies to theater tickets and much more, plus enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and more fun!

 

Plan your Stroll
Lady Alma performs at the University City Summer Series

The University City Summer Series

The University City Summer Series is a free, monthly concert series, highlighting local talent in some of West Philadelphia’s premier public spaces. With support from host partner organizations, UCD will produce a series of free concerts that will activate and animate public spaces, engage existing users, and attract new users to each site. The University City Summer Series will occur once a month during the summer from 5 PM to 9 PM. Dates, locations, and performers TBA!

Learn more about Summer Series
An overhead shot of a table of food from Co-op

Support Local Restaurants During Dining Days

University City Dining Days will return for eleven days in July 2026. Dates and participating restaurants TBA! Dining Days is our “3 Courses, 3 Prices” promotion at many of University City’s most popular dining destinations. The eleven-day promotion includes dozens of participating restaurants and special menus, and draws diners to our eclectic dining scene featuring cuisine from around the globe.

Explore participating restaurants
A crowd sits on the grass at Clark Park, watching an outdoor movie under the evening sky surrounded by trees and glowing lights.

Movies in Clark Park

Movies in Clark Park will return for the first four Fridays in August from 6 PM – 9 PM, with a Saturday evening rain date if needed. Movie titles TBA!

Enjoy outdoor movies

Visit our Community Calendar for more upcoming events!

Vist our Community Calendar

Want to participate or sponsor?

To participate in or sponsor University City District’s summer programming, contact Director of Programs and Partnerships Margaret Starke.

Explore More University City Events & Favorites!

Read the Neighborhood Guide