From Barrio Alegría
Berks County’s most daring arts organization is inviting neighbors, artists, companies, and fans of positivity to tumble down the rabbit hole into an unpredictable evening of riddles, magic, drama, and human connection.
The 2026 Barrio Lights is taking place on Friday, Nov. 20, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Reading Public Museum and is themed around the animated classic, Alice in Wonderland.
The tea party is set to be a curious experience for those who dare to venture outside of the expected, according to Daniel Egusquiza, executive director of Barrio Alegría, the nonprofit organization behind the annual festivity.
“To be honest, we’re kind of bored with galas, and we have a suspicion that others are, too,” Egusquiza said. “Instead, we want to have fun. Not the ‘dinner-and-a-show’ type of fun, but the ‘wow, what did I just experience?’ type of fun.”
Barrio Lights serves as the group’s primary annual fundraiser that goes directly toward the work of creating safe and inclusive communities, paying opportunities for artists, and hometown pride for the city of Reading.
Barrio Alegría has led and collaborated in several large-scale projects throughout Reading this year, including the city’s first-ever Story Lane Book Fair at the Reading Public Library; harnessing public input to redesign the Reading Gateway Bridge with Schuylkill River Greenways; the massive Shen Sekai Anime Festival; and glow-in-the-dark porch concert series in Reading’s South of Penn neighborhood.
Annalis Ortega is the coordinator for the South of Penn initiative, a multi-organization collaborative that aims to improve the quality of life for neighbors in South Reading. Ortega said 2026 has been unlike any year she has seen for her lifelong neighborhood.
“What Barrio is doing in Reading is just unmatched,” Ortega said. “Of course we have amazing institutions all around this city, but Barrio just innovates and makes every year different and exciting, delivering for the people who live here.”
Tickets for the events can be purchased at barrioalegria.com/events/barrio-lights-2026. The $50.00 ticket includes an interactive, immersive theatrical experience, delicious, themed food and cocktails crafted by Devour Catering, and access to the museum’s current traveling Norman Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth exhibit.
All proceeds from the event will go directly toward Barrio’s work in transforming physical spaces in the city, empowering neighbors with financial literacy, and creating opportunities for artists to transform Reading.
Sponsors of the event range from families to banking institutions across Berks County. Sponsors include:
- Visions Federal Credit Union
- Quaker Maid Meats
- Arleny Pimentel
- Muhlenberg Greene Architects
- Diamond Federal Credit Union
- HGSK
- Reading Hospital Tower Health
- Anonymous Philanthropists
Barrio is also inviting business allies to explore the tiered sponsorship levels for the event. Companies looking to fulfill their social responsibility missions are encouraged to contact info@barrioalegria.org.
