City Cast Philly
🍽️ Eat pay-what-you-can at this Philly restaurant
January 6, 2026 · — Siani Colón
Good morning, Philly! Yesterday we shared with you predictions from across the City Cast network about what’s in store for the U.S. in 2026. But during that conversation, we barely scratched the surface when discussing the main character energy that Philly’s gonna have all year long.
So today the City Cast Philly team broke down our major predictions for the city. Be sure to revisit this episode throughout the year to see how accurate or entirely off-base we were.
What's CITY Talking About
El Carnaval de Puebla Cancelled Again Amid ICE Fears
The annual parade commemorating the Battle of Puebla, one of the largest Cinco de Mayo festivals in the country, is suspended for a second consecutive year. Organizers are planning smaller events to support businesses that would normally benefit from the event. [Billy Penn]
- Related: Immigrant rights groups say heightened immigration enforcement has created a “new level of fear” in the community. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
New Year, New Toll Fees
We can’t count on Pennsylvania to raise our minimum wage anytime soon, but you can be sure it’ll increase everything else. To cover debt accrued while making emergency repairs on state roadways, the Pennsylvania Turnpike implemented a 4% toll hike, now in effect. [CBS Philly, NBC10]
SEPTA Trolley Tunnel To Reopen Mid-January…Hopefully
After damaged overhead wires prompted a tunnel closure in November, SEPTA began running test trolleys through with an eye toward a reopening soon. [West Philly Local]
- Related: SEPTA had a challenging time in 2025, but the agency has a plan to handle the influx of tourists this year. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
Why We’re the Mural Capital of the World
Philly has over 4,000 murals, and it added 87 new ones last year (that’s a lot of paint). Mural Arts shows no signs of letting up, with upcoming projects that include tributes to Boyz II Men, Questlove, and local LGBTQ+ heroes. [Axios]
- Related: I talked to artist Shepard Fairey to learn the story behind “Uplift Justice,” one of the new murals that appeared on Philly’s walls. [📝 City Cast Philly]
Pay-What-You-Can at Post Haste’s Sunday Brunch
After a pay-what-you-can pop-up successfully addressed Post Haste’s slow Sunday business, the East Kensington restaurant is expanding the flexible payment option. The deal only covers food, not drinks, with the Sunday price tag beginning at $0. [Philly Voice]
- Related: Post Haste operates farm-to-table/glass, which is a notable dining trend in the city. [🎧City Cast Philly]
What To Do
Tuesday, Jan. 6
- 🖼️ Paulownia Tableau Exhibition Opening at Old City Publishing (Old City)
- 🎨 Drink & Draw at Fleisher Art Memorial (Bella Vista)
- 📖 “The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution” at American Philosophical Society (Old City)
- 🧵 Sew What? at Thomas Donatucci, Sr. Library (South Philly)
Wednesday, Jan. 7
- 🖌️ Art from Nature at Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center (Cobbs Creek)
- ♟️ Wednesday Night Chess at Ethical Society (Rittenhouse Square)
- ❤️🩹 What's Your Ritual?: Film Screening & Grief Workshop at The Rotunda (University City)
- 🥃 Whiskey & Whiff Wednesdays at Infusion Lounge (Old City)
🧡 Thank you to Charlie T. for becoming a City Cast Philly Neighbor! If your New Year's resolutions are to stay better informed and to support local media, you can fulfill that by becoming a member.
🎉 Today also marks a year since I started working at City Cast. Thank you to all you readers who have made these 12 months special.
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