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City Cast Philly

Brittany Valentine

Free movie nights in parks across the city

Free daily recitals on the Wanamaker Organ at Macy’s

 on Thursday, July 6, along the 1200-1400 blocks of Point Breeze Ave

The Barnes Foundation is a must-visit in Logan Square. 

Woodmere Art Museum is also free on Sundays

The Fabric Workshop and Museum is free with a $5 suggested donation

 is happening now until July 4, and includes 35 cultural institutions

Siani Colón

At a city budget hearing on April 1, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation informed City Council that it has a 

backlog of close to 30,000 trees to address

. With so many hazardous trees in need of pruning and removal, that list may never reach zero.

The loss of trees throws a wrench in the 

 to increase the tree canopy and protect existing coverage.

Philadelphians can help with this by growing Philly’s urban forest in their immediate communities. Here’s how.

Tree Tenders are groups of volunteers trained to plant trees and maintain them in their communities. The initiative is a collaboration with the 

 and community partners like nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and watershed groups.

Throughout the year, PHS hosts training in-person and 

. After completing the basic level, you can become a certified Tree Tender and join your local group. At the higher levels, you can get certified to take on leadership roles and more complicated maintenance tasks.

Basic training includes lessons on tree biology, identification, care, and safety. A full course is available at a sliding scale cost, with a suggested donation of $40. Some Tree Tender groups may waive the fee.

. Tree Tender groups exist in many Philadelphia neighborhoods and the surrounding suburbs.

After becoming certified, you can help neighbors register to receive a tree during the next planting cycle, assist with pruning, and answer questions about tree care.

Can I Plant Trees Without Becoming a Tree Tender?

Opportunities arise every spring and fall to plant trees throughout the city. These are the best times of year to plant and do necessary maintenance because you avoid extreme weather conditions and interfering with budding trees.

No experience is needed to participate in a planting, as training is done on-site. If you’re a certified Tree Tender who has participated in a planting before, your expertise can help guide first-timers in a successful planting.

, a celebration of Philly’s parks, also has tree care opportunities.

If you want a tree for your private property, you can 

through your neighborhood Tree Tender group to have one planted by volunteers in the next planting cycle. Another option is Tree Philly, which hosts 

 and will provide delivery and planting assistance to residents with limited mobility.

Philadelphia’s trees are in major need of maintenance. Tree Tenders can help their neighborhood’s tree canopy thrive. 

How To Become a Tree Tender in Philly

Here’s How You Can Help Grow Philly’s Tree Canopy

What Philadelphians have been wondering. We break down why things in Philadelphia are the way they are and how they work.

Philly, Explained

Moving regularly each day can reduce stress, improve your sleep, and decrease your risk of diseases. So it’s no surprise that running clubs are a popular way to not only stay active, but also make new friends. However, some may want to start their wellness journey at a slower pace. Here are some walking clubs to ease you onto the trails.

This initiative between the Fairmount Park Conservancy, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation invites residents to get to know their neighborhood park — and perhaps visit others — 

. Trained leaders guide seasonal hour-long walks in parks around the city. 

You may have walked through the city, but have you ever walked around it? 

 encourages residents to explore the city’s borders by walking its perimeter either on their own or with a group. The challenge is designed in segments (trying to walk Philly’s entire shape in a day may be 

challenging) to connect with new-to-you sections of the city and gain a deeper understanding of what makes Philly, Philly.

 organizes multiple workouts each month all across the city. You may have seen its

 before. In addition to its walking group, you can participate in other group-fitness workouts and a book club. All 

 is a dedicated walking and wellness group for women of color in Philadelphia. The group organizes walks along the city’s bridges and trails or to specific destinations such as coffee shops and farmers' markets. Walks are adult-only unless specified otherwise.

 promotes accessible nature-based wellness activities with animals. The project hosts 

 at its home base at Awbury Arboretum and throughout the city. In addition to its goat walks, it also hosts grief walks.

Did you know that if you walk just five miles, you’ve completed 10,000 steps for the day?

 uses it as its marker for its weekly walks and runs. If you’re interested in joining the group and staying connected, you can 

🏃 If you’re looking for a little more speed, 

Walking Clubs

Here’s my favorite walking club!

Not everyone is training for a marathon, so these groups are encouraging slower movement in Philly. 

Join a Philly Walking Group Near You

Get Your Steps In With These Philly Walking Groups

Find the best of everything that Philadelphia has to offer.

Philly’s Best

Philly's Best

How well do you know Philly's latest headlines and historical facts? Try your hand at the quiz below to find out!

🌀 Looking for a previous Hey Philly quiz? Find it here:

Sept. 27, 2024: Cheesesteak Trivia Edition

If you like what you see, subscribe to the 

 below. We’ll send local news, things to do, and other Philly essentials to your inbox every weekday morning — plus, a fresh news quiz every Friday. ⬇️

Pop quiz, Philly! It’s that time again to test your knowledge on local trivia. 


Philadelphia News Quiz & Trivia: April 10, 2026

Prove Your Weekly Philly Knowledge

, it’s a good time to start thinking about what to plant in your garden this season. 

 to your plot and pot. Not sure where to find some? Here are some upcoming plant sales and swaps to spruce up your garden while supporting local businesses.

Remember the former Greensgrow Farm in Kensington? The 

 is taking over in partnership with the New Kensington Community Development Corporation. The institute is kicking this new era off with an 

. Attendees can go on a "wonder walk" that includes snacks and plant activities led by staff. The organization has also opened plant orders. 

 on April 18 to celebrate Earth Day. Make native plant 

 with other community members, along with other activities, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

 on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The street will be blocked off outside of the MLK Triangle to make way for workshops, music, and plenty of plant supplies. Interested in vending? 

 of Philadelphia County are bringing their 

 on April 26. Guests can browse over a hundred plants, from tasty veggies to fragrant herbs and beginner-friendly houseplants. There will also be opportunities to attend garden tours, plant demos, and workshops.

Stock up on pollinator plants, herbs, and more at 

. Sales will happen on April 21, May 9, June 13, May 30, and Sept. 12. Be sure to check out the 

 while you’re visiting during the weekend.

Support students at Philly’s agriculture high school by attending its 

 on May 2. Not only will you have the opportunity to purchase plants, but you can also receive free vegetable seeds. Stick around and see the students show off the skills they’re learning.

Germantown Residents for Economic Alternatives Together

demonstrations on living well on a budget

 at this event on May 2. Aside from a seed exchange, 

 a foraging walk and citrus juice-making workshop. All activities will be at the Wyck Historic House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Head further up Germantown Avenue the following day to Chestnut Hill for its annual 

 on May 3. Browse plants, pots, and other garden decor from over 300 vendors along the corridor.

PHS hosts monthly plant swaps at its pop-up gardens in 

. Keep an eye on its calendar for other plant workshops throughout the season.

Several festivals and businesses are hosting major pop-up sales to help you find the perfect plants for your garden. 

Where To Shop For and Swap Plants in Philly

Shop and Swap at These Spring Plant Pop-Ups

Did you know April 7 is National Beer Day? On this day in 1933, 

 for the first time since Prohibition began, marking the beginning of the end of the dry era.

Breweries are a part of Philly history, so much so that we have 

. Curious how Philly’s finest brewers make their beer? Discover the secrets and taste it for yourself on these tours.

 went from brewing beers from a small location in Manayunk in the 1990s to running its huge Northern Liberties facility today. Find out how all of it came to be! On a tour, you can get a look-through of the facility, a beer sample, a full beer, and a souvenir. 

 everyday of the week. Right now you can get half-off tickets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

 has locations in Point Breeze and Fishtown. If you want to take a tour, those are 

. For $10, you can sample a couple of beers and receive a pint glass and sticker. The tour runs for about 30 minutes and is available by appointment on Saturdays at 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. Larger groups can be accommodated on different days of the week upon request.

Walk down Frankford Avenue and you’ll stumble upon several breweries, craft halls, and neighborhood bars. Operating from the nearly 150-year-old Weisbrod & Hess Oriental Brewing Company facility, 

. is keeping the River Wards’ beer-making tradition alive. This brewery leads 

 of the month at noon and 2 p.m. Stop by and learn more about the building’s history and see where the beers are brewed and bottled. Keep your eyes peeled for Duke the Brewery Cat while looking around!

Co-owned by brothers Richard and Mengistu, 

 in Pennsylvania. The University City brewery offers tours Friday through Sunday between noon and 4:30 p.m. Guests receive a souvenir glass, a vinyl-branded sticker, $1 off all draft beer the same day, a coupon for a return visit, and a complimentary pour of Good Jawn (Pale Ale), Nubian (Brown Ale), or Clean Sweep (Pilsner). 

Philadelphia Hops and History Walking Tour

 narrows its focus to the Spring Garden section of the city. Attendees can sample up to 12 different beers from three stops while learning about Philly beer history. This walking tour is on Saturdays and is $75 per person. The 

 is your crash course to the beer scene in Philadelphia and South Jersey. Round-trip transportation is provided. This tour is available Wednesday through Saturday and is $85 per person.

Have a Drink at Philly’s Touring Beer Garden

Philly’s history with beer goes as far back as the city’s founding. These are the breweries continuing that legacy. 


Where To Go on a Brewery Tour in Philly

Tours on Tap: See How Philly Beer is Made

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Philadelphia. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Philly Food & Drink

Food & Drink

City Cast Philly staff

✏️ Find past crossword puzzles below:

This mini-crossword is filled with clues on Philly history and headlines. 

Can You Solve This Philly-Themed Crossword?

Play Our Philly Crossword Puzzle

On May 19, Philadelphia voters will choose from a list of candidates vying to become their next governor, lieutenant governor, congressperson, state senator, and state representative. This vote dictates who will advance to November’s general election. Philadelphians will also consider two ballot measures that could change the 

Despite Pennsylvania being a closed primary state, ballot questions will be visible to all voters, even to those unaffiliated with a party. Here's a breakdown of the questions Philly will consider.

Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of the Philadelphia Retirement Savings Board to oversee a defined contribution retirement program for the benefit of eligible private-sector workers, and to authorize City Council to determine the composition, powers and duties of the board?

 receive retirement income, according to the AARP.

 to establish a retirement savings program known as PhillySaves. This program allows anyone working in the private or nonprofit sector for a Philadelphia-based employer (who does not provide a retirement plan) to be automatically enrolled in the city’s initiative.

The program is modeled after state-run auto-IRA programs, which allow employees to invest via payroll deductions. Although Pennsylvania does not have an auto-IRA program, 

. Philadelphia would not be the first municipality to attempt such a program. New York City and Seattle both passed similar initiatives, but later folded them into their respective state programs.

For PhillySaves, eligible employees would contribute 3% to 6% of their wages to the IRA, and have the option to change their contributions or opt out entirely.

A board of nine appointees would oversee the program. The mayor and City Council President each select four members, while the City Controller chooses one.

If voters vote “yes,” this will approve the creation of the Philadelphia Retirement Savings Board as an independent entity within city government.

Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson to improve the safety and quality of services for youth placed in juvenile justice, child welfare, and behavioral health residential care facilities, and to authorize City Council to determine additional powers and duties of the Youth Ombudsperson as needed to carry out this mission?

An ombudsperson is a government official designated as a neutral party who advocates on behalf of residents experiencing issues with government-provided services.

 by then-mayor Jim Kenney, but it is not a permanent office. Its formation is one of several recommendations made by the 

 that teens of color were disproportionately being put in residential placement, and their rights to safety and education were not being protected.

Since its creation, its duties include responding to complaints regarding the care of youth in placement, evaluating the quality of care, and providing know-your-rights trainings.

If the majority of voters vote “yes”, this will amend the charter to make it a permanent office for the city.

The city charter requires any city official to resign from their post before campaigning for public office. The only exemption is if they’re running for their current office.

, when six members of City Council, including now-Mayor Cherelle Parker, resigned to run.

officials, and not state and federal officials. For example, 

 was running for the 3rd Congressional District seat until she dropped out at the end of March. She did not have to resign from her post in the State House and is running for reelection in that role this May.

Attempts to amend this rule have failed twice in the voting booth. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas 

 to the legislation: City officials would not resign to run for a state or federal position, but would still be required to resign to campaign for mayor.

Despite support in City Council, Thomas moved to 

 at the end of March, as he's no longer confident in voters’ support of the measure.

Eligible voters can vote in person on May 19 or 

Voters will decide on changes to the city’s charter.

These Are the Ballot Questions Appearing in Philly’s 2026 Primary Election

What's being decided in Philadelphia City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Philadelphia City Council. 

Philly Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

It’s officially April! It’s not just the plants and animals waking from their slumber — Philly’s coming alive this month with outdoor festivals, arts celebrations, and opportunities to give back to our planet. 

This may not be the most exciting announcement to start with, but it is the most important. The deadline to file your taxes is April 15. Several organizations in Philly can 

, and this year you can keep that legacy going strong. Aside from starting small by 

, there are several communal opportunities throughout April. Protect the 

 is back for a second year. Attend live shows all over the city, from a 

. Once the month-long celebration is over, keep up with Philly’s jazz scene 

The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts is hosting free shows and workshops as part of 

, intro courses will only cost $5.20 from April 11 through April 17.

Head over to the Philadelphia Ethical Society on April 12 for the 

 to host this day-long meetup with over 40 local organizations. Join a bike club, book club, or choir. The options are endless.

 is an opportunity for local creatives, from hackers to potters, to show off what they’ve been working on. The DIY celebration of science, arts, and technology takes place on April 19 at Cherry Street Pier.

Pay-What-You-Can at These Live Performances

. The annual celebration of the stage features over 50 performances and workshops throughout the Philadelphia region between April 23 and May 3. See shows from classics such as William Shakespeare’s “Richard III” to a lecture/punk-rock concert with “Fascist Groove.”

City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri will be interviewing "Our Missing Hearts" author Celeste Ng for the Free Library's 

 kick-off celebration on April 7. The event is sold out, but there are 

 celebrating Philly’s favorite annual reading tradition throughout this month and next.

More April Events

Philly’s making sure you spend the whole month outside. 

Your Guide to Philadelphia in April 2026

How to Spend April 2026 in Philly

From outdoor movie screenings to various events, there are plenty of free options to celebrate Philadelphia summer.

Summer Guide

Free Things To Do In Philly Summer 2023

Brittany Valentine

Movies:

Music:

Date Night Spots:

Groups:

Museums:

Parks and Trails:

Roller Skating Groups:

Wellness Events:

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