The Berks County Parks & Recreation Department is presenting the following programs in December:
Starting Wednesday, Dec. 3: The 37th Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area in Spring Township. Open Wednesday through Sunday through Dec. 14, then daily from Dec. 16 to Dec. 23. Hours are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free parking and admission. Go to @berkscountyparks on Facebook for information on musical acts and food and beverage offerings for each evening’s festivities.
Saturday, Dec. 6: Kids Holiday Craft Workshop, noon to 3 p.m., Berks County Heritage Center, Bern Township. Visit the barn any time between noon and 3 to make some holiday crafts. Santa will be taking visits at Epler’s Schoolhouse. For ages 3 and up. Free.
Dec. 9: Trail Tales, 10 a.m., Heritage Center. Discover plants and animal friends in the park, partnered with a story and craft. For children ages 3 to 5. Free but registration required.
Dec. 13: Adult Ornament Workshop, noon to 3 p.m., Heritage Center. Staff will walk participants through ornament creations including tin punch, felt and salt dough ornaments. Recommended for participants older than 16. Children from 12-16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Free but registration required.
To register for programs, go to countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program. For more information email LGauker@BerksPa.gov or call 610-374-2944, extension 2611.
Grodin documentary
The documentary “Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause” will be screened Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. in the Boscov Theatre at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading, as part of the Reading Jewish Film Series presented by the Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks. Grodin was raised in a Jewish household in Pittsburgh. The film highlights Grodin’s life and work as an actor and comedian as well as his efforts to get wrongly convicted people released from prison.
Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for those 55 and older, military, first responders and students. For additional information, email info@jfreading.org or call 610-921-0624.
Holiday market
The Handcrafted Holiday Market returns to Reading’s GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6. The event brings together artists, makers and the community for two days of shopping, artmaking, food, and entertainment. This year there will be a Friday-night sketch comedy performance, a new Studio Artist Ornament Sale and a lineup of local food and drink vendors. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Visitors on Saturday can make their own gifts or holiday décor under the guidance of professional instructors. Throughout the weekend, GoggleWorks’ Studio Artists will host a limited-edition ornament sale on the second and third floors.
Admission is pay-what-you-wish, with a suggested donation of $15 For details, workshop registration, and the full vendor list, visit goggleworks.org/handcrafted-holiday-market/.
Train exhibit
The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum’s Nostalgic Christmas Trains exhibit is open each weekend through Jan. 11. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 Sundays. The museum is located at 500 S. Third St., Hamburg. the exhibit displays vintage and modern model trains in five sizes operating in a holiday setting. Admission includes outdoor tours of the museum railyard led by experienced guides, weather permitting. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $3 for ages 5-12 and free for children under age 4. Learn more at www.readingrailroad.org.
Holiday House Tour
Oley Valley Community Library will hold its annual Holiday House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door the day of the event. Tickets are available at Evelyn & Harriette’s, 1232 Oysterdale Road; the library, 330, Main St.; and A Skep in Thyme Primitives, 217 Snyder Road. Contact the library at 484-491-1278 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OleyLibrary.
Ringgold Band
The Ringgold Band will present its annual Christmas concert in the sanctuary of Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township, on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. A free-will offering will be collected, and a reception will be held in the church’s parish hall following the concert.
Tree lighting
The Daniel Boone Optimist Club’s Community Tree Lighting is set for Dec. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Daniel Boone Middle School, 1845 Weavertown Road, Amity Township. A live Nativity begins at 4, Santa arrives at 5:30, and the Daniel Boone Area Middle School Select Chorus performs at 6:15.
Choral concert
The Greater Reading Encore Chorale will present its “A Bit of Holiday Cheer” concert Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at Alsace Lutheran Church, 2201 Kutztown Road, Muhlenberg Township. A free-will offering will be taken.
Cookie decorating
The Fleetwood Area Historical Society will honor the borough’s hometown cookie cutter maker, Horman Foose on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Fleetwood Community Center, 110 W. Arch St. Foose’s granddaughter Kristy Hughes Killian will begin the evening.. There will be a cookie icing session using treats made from the society’s vintage cookie cutter collection. Guests are welcome to bring their own Foose cookies and icing tools.
‘Rooted in Resilience’
The LGBT Center of Greater Reading is hosting “Rooted in Resilience” on Dec. 19 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 415 Franklin St., Reading. The evening is dedicated to strengthening community understanding, connection and acceptance. The keynote speaker will be Erica Deuso, the first openly transgender person to be elected mayor in Pennsylvania. Light refreshments will be served.
Tickets are available for $40 per person at www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/rooted-in-resilience.
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