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It's a fun night in University City with the summer's first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, plus University City Dining Days at 34 restaurants. (Photo courtesy University City District)

[Summer nights in Philadelphia are always action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we round up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

The super popular Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll returns tonight, with $1 deals on everything from food to clothes. Check out a detailed map of the stroll, at the bottom of this post, along with our other picks for tonight.

• PAFA After Dark: “Game On”: Tonight is a super special behind-the-scenes version of PAFA After Dark program during which, for one night only, the academy will open their historic Cast Hall for a night of games. Festivities include a Philadelphia Film Society screening of the movie “Clue” with free popcorn; life-sized versions of jenga, checkers, dominos and other classics; snacks and cocktails. Plus: there will be fun flashlight tours of the museum galleries after the movie (spaces will be very limited, so make sure you arrive early to sign up).

Where: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad Street
When: Thursday, July 19, 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at door

• Baltimore Ave Dollar Stroll: It’s the first dollar stroll of the year, so you don’t want to miss it! Plus, it’s also UC Dining Days, a great West Philly combo. Baltimore Avenue from 42nd to 50th Streets will be rife with $1 deals and fun festivities. For a single buck per item you can enjoy: ice cream, espresso, fresh focaccia, beers, samosas, mango lassis, cupcakes and so much more. Map below.

Where: Baltimore Ave (between 42nd and 50th Streets)
When: Thursday, July 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go

• Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center: The orchestra returns to the Mann July 19-21, with lawn seating for each starting at just $12.50 ($19.50 for the July 19 kick-off featuring Chris Botti). Tonight’s concert features the PECO Pops, spotlighting the largest selling American jazz instrumental artist Chris Botti.

Where: 5201 Parkside Avenue
When: July 19-21, 8 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $12.50 ($19.50 for the Chris Botti concert)

• Best of the ’80s Outdoor Summer Movie Series at Liberty Lands: Every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. through August 30, Liberty Lands will be screening your ’80s favorites on a giant inflatable screen on the park’s performance stage. Bring a chair or a blanket and some snacks and enjoy a relaxed summer night outdoors.

Where: Liberty Lands Park, 926 N. American Street
When: Every Thursday through August 30, 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

• Penn’s Landing’s “Screenings Under The Stars”: Watch Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn on the River Stage on Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Pack a picnic.

Where: River Stage on Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street
When: Thursday, July 19, 8 p.m.
Cost: Free

• 2012 University City Dining Days: One of the Philadelphia area’s best restaurant deals is back for the summer starting tonight: University City Dining Days. 34 restaurants in the University City neighborhood will be offering three-course prix-fixe menus at either the $15, $25 or $30 price point.

Where: 34 restaurants in University City
When: Through Thursday, July 26
Cost: 3-course menus starting at $15

• Chestnut Hill Third Thursdays: Building off the long-time success of First Fridays in Old City and other neighborhoods, Chestnut Hill is hosting its own, new rendition this summer: Third Thursdays on Germantown Avenue. The series, back tonight, includes live, public music performances and other great activities. Select stores will remain open until 8 p.m., and restaurants until 10 p.m., giving visitors plenty of time to feast on delicious snacks or dinner, and get in some summertime shopping.

Where: Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill
When: Thursday, July 19, 6 p.m.-late
Cost: Free

More Tonight Picks, below.

• $5 After 5 at the National Constitution Center: Get $5 admission to the NCC each Thursday through August 30 when you enter from 5-8 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to escape the heat and spend an evening cooling down in the A.C. while taking in some of the summer’s richest programming.

Where: 525 Arch Street
When: Thursdays 5-8 p.m., through August 30
Cost: $5

• Berry Best Bake-Off at Morris Arboretum: On Thursday, July 19 from 5-6 p.m., Morris Arboretum will host its Berry Best Bake-Off, where aspiring pastry chefs will manipulate top secret family formulas to compete for prizes doled out by local pie professionals from Cake, Bredenbeck’s Bakery and The Night Kitchen Bakery. To add to the fun, following the bake-off, Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company (CCTC) will present its version of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town at 6:30 p.m. on the Azalea Meadow Stage.

Where: 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill
When: Thursday, July 19, 5-6 p.m.
Cost: Free

• Cooking Channel Pop-Up at Reading Terminal: Help celebrate Cooking Channel’s second birthday (and summer!) at Reading Terminal Market tonight with free food and drinks inspired by summer dishes and local flavors. Meet the newest stars of Cooking Channel hosts and listen to live music from up-and-coming band Carousel. Register to attend online.

Where: 51 N. 12th Street
When: Thursday, July 19, 6-10 p.m.
Cost: Free

• Cinemathèque Film Series at the African American Museum: Presented in partnership with Cinémathèque, “Territories: Africa” is a foreign film series featuring filmmakers and stories from Africa and across the Diaspora. The intention of these screenings is to expand the discussion surrounding international film language and to challenge and explore modern and historic representations of and by Africans around the world. Advance tickets are available online.

Where: 701 Arch Street
When: Thursday, July 19
Cost: $8 regular admission, $5 member/student/senior admission

• Hot Dog Happy Hours on South Street: Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer with Hot Dog Happy Hours at Supper and Brauhaus Schmitz.

Where: Supper (926 South Street) and Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South Street)
When: Thursday, July 19, 5-7 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go

• Behind PlanPhilly: “A Man and His Ship” Book Release and VIP Boat Tour: PlanPhilly, Simon & Schuster, Steven Ujifusa and the Independence Seaport Museum present Behind PlanPhilly: “A Man and His Ship” Book Release and Conversation. This will be Simon & Schuster’s official launch event of Ujifusa’s book, “A Man and His Ship,” which tells the story of the ship through its architect, William Francis Gibbs.

Where: Independence Seaport Museum, 4th Floor, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
When: Thursday, July 19, 5-7 p.m.
Cost: Free