Reading's Downtown Holiday Festivities Set for Sunday

The holiday season is right around the corner, and in Reading that means it’s time to get ready for the annual Holiday Light Festival, sponsored by the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce.

Reading’s festivities are scheduled for Sunday, December 1, from 2-4:30 p.m. throughout downtown Reading. The event spans Haven Street, Lowell Street, Main Street, and on Reading Common.

The centerpiece of the day will be the lighting of the town tree at 4:30 p.m., led of course by the man in red. Santa Claus will light the tree after spending the day taking photos with residents at Reading Co-Operative Bank.

Also making appearances throughout the day are Petunia the Clown at Eastern Bank, and visits from Elmo, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and more.

Roaming carolers will entertain the crowd as well with singers from the high school and middle school. The Reading Memorial High School marching band will also perform, as will local dancers with scenes from The Nutcracker.

Residents can also grab a trolley ride around town where they can listen to the Tom Smith Holiday Carolers with stops at Grumpy Doyle’s to see Mrs. Claus and businesses in the area.

Children will have the opportunity to see trucks from Reading Municipal Light Department, Reading Fire Department and Department of Public Works parked throughout the downtown area.

Also for children, there will be bouncy castles provided by Elite Freestyle Karate, which will be performing student demonstrations as well.

For more details on the festivities, contact Chamber Executive Director, Janet Wolbrom at rnrchambercom@aol.com or (978) 664-5060.