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Christmas with kids in Reading
In Reading, Santa gets help from a mountain. For decades the lights of the Pagoda on Mount Penn have blinked red on Christmas Eve, a signal that it is time for children to head to bed.
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The story of Christmas in Reading
How Reading celebrates
Reading's best-known Christmas tradition happens on Mount Penn. On Christmas Eve at 9 p.m., three rows of red lights on the Pagoda blink for about 10 to 15 minutes, telling children that Santa is on his way. WRAW says the tradition dates to 1919, while a local history blog says it was revived in the early 1970s by city electrician Bob Gerber after it faded away. The lights have changed from incandescent bulbs to neon to LEDs. Downtown, the city also holds an annual tree lighting and a holiday parade on Penn Street.
Christmas last year in Reading
The 2025 season brought good news. The Pagoda lights blinked again on Wednesday, December 24 at 9 p.m., after a three-year pause caused by the pandemic and a worn-out electrical system. During the pause, the Reading Fire Department kept the tradition alive by blinking fire truck lights. The Pagoda itself was in the middle of a $5.3 million renovation, so the gates were closed and families watched from home. Earlier, the city tree lighting took place on November 20 at 5th and Penn, and the holiday parade followed on November 22 at 10 a.m. A free Santa meet and greet was new this year.
Fun facts about Christmas in Reading
Before radio and television, the Pagoda's lights were once used to flash baseball scores to the city. The tradition has a radio story too: one account says that in the 1940s a listener to WEEU saw the lights blink when the broadcaster reported Santa over the city. The Pagoda's lights are red, and in 2008 the neon was replaced with LEDs. The tree lighting in 2025 featured the Reading Choral Society, treats from La Fidelita bakery and a visit from Santa. Penn Street was closed from the 200 to 1000 blocks for the parade.
Trains and Christmas near Reading
Families who love trains can still find the story of the Reading Railroad nearby. The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg shows more than 70 Reading locomotives and cars, and it sets up holiday model trains each winter. The Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad runs Santa trains on a former Reading branch line. The Reading & Northern Railroad boards day trips right in Reading. Check each site for current holiday schedules before you go.
- Reading Railroad Heritage Museum: It shows more than 70 Reading Railroad locomotives and cars, with holiday model trains each winter.
- Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad: It runs short trips on a former Reading branch line and lists Santa trains in its season.
- Reading & Northern Railroad: This working railroad runs day trips with boarding in Reading.
Traditions today
- Pagoda Christmas Eve lights: At 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, red lights on the Mount Penn Pagoda blink to signal Santa's arrival.
- City of Reading tree lighting: A downtown ceremony at 5th and Penn with local choirs, treats, remarks and a visit from Santa.
- Holiday Parade on Penn Street: A Saturday morning parade along Penn Street, held November 22 in 2025.
- Santa meet and greet: A free Santa meet and greet at the 5th and Penn Bank Building followed the 2025 parade.
- Fire truck lights for Santa: When the Pagoda lights were paused, the Reading Fire Department blinked fire truck lights outside it.
- Watching from home: With the Pagoda gates closed in 2025, families were asked to watch the lights from porches and neighborhood spots.
A fact for kids
Long ago, the lights on the Pagoda also flashed baseball scores. Now they blink red on Christmas Eve to tell kids Santa is on the way.
Questions about Christmas in Reading
What is Reading's most famous Christmas tradition?
The blinking Pagoda lights are Reading's best-known tradition. At 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, three rows of red lights on the Pagoda on Mount Penn blink for about 10 to 15 minutes. Families treat it as a signal that children should get to bed so Santa can visit.
When did the Pagoda lights tradition start?
Sources disagree. WRAW says the tradition dates to 1919, eleven years after the Pagoda was built. A local history blog says it was revived in the early 1970s by city electrician Bob Gerber after it faded. The two accounts give different starting points, so we state both.
Why do the Pagoda lights blink on Christmas Eve?
The lights signal that Santa is on his way. WRAW describes them as a message to children in Reading and Berks County that it is bedtime so Santa can visit. One local account says the idea grew from a radio report of Santa over the city.
Did the Pagoda lights blink in 2025?
Yes. They returned on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 9 p.m., after a three-year pause. Mayor Eddie Moran announced the return. The Pagoda gates were closed that evening, so residents were encouraged to watch from home, a porch or a nearby neighborhood spot.
Why were the lights paused for three years?
WRAW reports that the pause came from the COVID-19 pandemic and restoration work, including a deteriorating electrical system. During those years the Reading Fire Department kept the custom going by blinking fire truck lights outside the Pagoda, so children still had a signal to look for.
What color and how long are the lights?
The lights are red and blink for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the source. They use three rows of lights. Over the years they have changed from incandescent bulbs to neon and now to energy-efficient LEDs, which replaced the neon in 2008 according to a local history blog.
How do I explain the Pagoda lights to my kids?
Tell them the Pagoda is Santa's signal tower. When the red lights blink on Christmas Eve, it means Santa is nearby and it is time to head to bed. Little ones often like going outside to spot the lights from a porch or window, which also works in years when the gates are closed.
What happens at the Reading tree lighting?
It is a downtown ceremony at the southeast corner of 5th and Penn Streets. In 2025 it took place on Thursday, November 20 at 6 p.m. with the Reading Choral Society, remarks from city officials, treats from La Fidelita bakery and a visit from Santa. It was also livestreamed.
When is Reading's holiday parade?
The 2025 parade took place on Saturday, November 22 at 10 a.m. along Penn Street, with the 200 to 1000 blocks closed starting at 7 a.m. Parade dates can change from year to year, so check the City of Reading announcements before planning your morning.
Can kids meet Santa in Reading?
Yes. Santa appeared at the 2025 tree lighting, and a free Santa meet and greet ran from 1 to 3 p.m. at the 5th and Penn Bank Building after the parade. That meet and greet was new in 2025, so it is worth checking whether it returns.
Where can families park for the parade?
In 2025 the city listed free parking from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the South Penn Garage, the 4th and Cherry Garage and the 5th and Cherry lot. Signs went up the day before on Penn Street, and cars had to be moved by 6 a.m. on parade day.
What is the Pagoda?
The Pagoda is a landmark building on Mount Penn above Reading. WRAW says the Christmas lights tradition began 11 years after it was completed. In 2025 it was in the middle of a $5.3 million renovation covering masonry, lighting, wiring, plumbing and floors, with reopening planned for the new year.
Did the Pagoda lights ever do anything besides Christmas?
Yes. Before radio, the Pagoda's lights flashed baseball scores to the city, according to a local history blog. Over time the lights became best known for their Christmas Eve show, when red lights blink at 9 p.m. to tell children that Santa is on his way.
Which train museum is closest to Reading for a holiday visit?
The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg is a short drive away. It shows more than 70 Reading Railroad locomotives and cars and puts out holiday model trains each winter. It is open weekends and closes from January 15 to March 1, so confirm hours first.
Are there Santa train options near Reading?
The Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad lists pumpkin, dog and Santa trains on a former Reading branch line, with 40-minute round trips. The Reading & Northern Railroad also runs day trips with boarding in Reading. Check each railroad's current schedule and tickets before planning.
How did the Reading Railroad connect to the city's Christmas?
The Reading Railroad was a major regional line, and the museum in Hamburg preserves its locomotives and cars. Seeing real engines and holiday model trains is a nice way for kids to connect the city's rail heritage with the season. Our museum pages list hours and details.
What if my toddler cannot stay up for the Pagoda lights?
The lights blink at 9 p.m. for only 10 to 15 minutes, so you can keep the evening short. Some families watch from a window or porch at home. In 2025 the gates were closed and the city encouraged watching from home.
Is the Pagoda tradition good for little kids?
Yes. The show is short, quiet and easy to explain, which suits young children. WRAW reports that Mayor Eddie Moran announced its return in 2025. There is no ticket, and watching from home is an option, which can make a late evening easier for families with little ones.
Where can I find current Christmas events for kids in Reading?
See our Reading Christmas events guide on this page for current kids' holiday listings such as Santa visits and tree lightings. Dates change each year, so please use the host's own page to confirm times, prices and registration before you go.
How should I plan a Reading holiday weekend with kids?
Pick one downtown tradition, such as the tree lighting or parade, then add a Santa visit and a nearby train museum. Our Reading Christmas events guide on this page lists current options. Dress warmly, arrive early for parade street closures and check each host's schedule.
Sources
- Berks County Christmas, Day 24: Blinking Pagoda, Berks Nostalgia
- Reading Pagoda's Christmas Eve Lights Return After 3-Year Pause, WRAW 1340 AM
- City of Reading set to kick off holiday season with annual tree lighting ceremony, Berks Weekly
- Reading announces street closures ahead of 2025 Holiday Parade, Berks Weekly
- Reading Railroad Heritage Museum, Rally Takes the Train museum guide
- Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad, Rally Takes the Train museum guide
- Reading & Northern Railroad, Rally Takes the Train museum guide