The Pagoda’s red lights will blink this Christmas Eve for the first time since 2021, Mayor Eddie Moran has announced.
The city in partnership with the Foundation for the Reading Pagoda plans to continue the tradition of blinking the lights at 9 p.m. Dec. 24 to signal to children throughout the city and Berks County that it’s time for bed so Santa Claus can visit.
“Bringing back the Christmas Eve blinking lights is a moment our community has been waiting for,” Moran said. “It’s a small but magical tradition that families of all ages can enjoy, and I’m thrilled it’s back this year.”
During an October tour highlighting restoration work at the Pagoda, David Anspach, city projects manager, points out the new LED exterior lighting that will flash to signal the arrival of Santa on Christmas Eve. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The Pagoda gates will remain closed for the evening, so residents are encouraged to enjoy the lights from the comfort of their homes, porches or favorite neighborhood spots.
Restoration of the city-owned landmark building atop Mount Penn is nearly complete, the mayor said, calling the landmark a symbol of pride for the city and thanking contractors Dolan Construction, the Warko Group and Hirneisen Electric for working since April to keep the project on schedule for reopening in the new year.
The seven-story structure has been largely off limits since the COVID-19 pandemic and completely closed to the public since work began in late 2023.
The $5.3 million renovation includes extensive exterior and interior upgrades, such as masonry repairs, new lighting and electrical wiring, plumping upgrades and flooring restoration.
The custom of blinking the lights on the Pagoda on Christmas Eve dates to 1919, just 11 years after the building was completed.
Lighting of the building was curtailed that year, too, according to an article in the Dec. 25, 1919, Reading Eagle.
Due to a nationwide fuel shortage, only the fixtures on the first floor and rooftop spire were lighted nightly.
That year, community members gathered on Penn Square on Christmas Eve for an evening of music, beginning with carols played on the chimes of nearby Christ Episcopal Church at Fifth and Court streets.
When the chimes finished, local religious leaders led the group in prayer.
The evening ended with community carol singing accompanied by the Reading Philharmonic Band and the flashing of lights at the Pagoda, which was fully illuminated for the first time in two weeks.
The blinking lights were well received, and a custom began.
The tradition waned during the Depression years but was revived in the 1940s as a signal that Santa was on his way, according to the foundation.
Due to the fragility of the Pagoda’s deteriorating electrical system, the custom was paused for past three years. To ensure the magic continued, the Reading Fire Department stepped in, blinking fire truck lights from the parking area outside the Pagoda.
Over the years, the types of lights used on the Pagoda also evolved, the foundation said. They went from incandescent lamps to vibrant red neon and to the new energy-efficient LED lights that will blink on the night before Christmas.