A longstanding tradition will still happen at the Pagoda this Christmas Eve but with a new twist. For many years families in the surrounding area observed the Pagoda’s lights flash on and off at 9 pm on Christmas Eve to remind children to get to bed so that Santa Claus could visit them. Unfortunately, due to some necessary renovations to the Pagoda, the lights cannot blink this year. That is not stopping the City of Reading from finding a way to let Santa Claus know the kids are fast asleep and ready for their visit. Mayor Eddie Moran is inviting everyone to participate in the Pagoda’s Christmas tradition but in a new way; by asking families to flash their own Christmas lights on and off at 9 pm on Christmas Eve. “Traditions are important to honor and pass on from generation to generation, and if there is one thing my mother taught me, it is that there is always a solution,” said Mayor Moran. ‘This is our way of finding a solution to keep a special tradition alive.”
Mayor Moran, along with Pagoda Foundation members and the Reading Fire Department, is also inviting the public to join them as a Reading Fire Department fire truck will blink its lights from the Pagoda parking lot in an effort to help Santa find his way to Reading. Gates will open at 8:45 pm and close shortly after the event ends at approximately 9:15 pm. The public is encouraged to bring flashlights to join in on this new version of our special tradition.
Please note that the event is limited to the Pagoda parking lot, and the Pagoda building will not be accessible as repairs and renovations continue. The City Administration and members of the Pagoda Foundation continue to monitor all work to preserve Reading’s iconic landmark. Upon completion of repairs and renovations, an announcement will be made to the public of the Pagoda’s reopening.
