READING, Pa. – It’s the final countdown to 2026 and across Reading, the celebrations are already taking shape.
One of the city’s biggest traditions returns, New Year’s Eve at the Santander Performing Arts Center, where the Reading Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual holiday concert, this year with a James Bond theme.
“I chose James Bond because everybody loves some James Bond,” said Andrew Constantine, music director of the Reading Symphony Orchestra. “Fabulous music, great fun, and that iconic Monty Norman guitar riff goes all the way through just about every piece it turns up at some point.”
Constantine said the goal is to create a shared experience that feels different from everyday routines.
“It’s a totally different experience,” Constantine said. “It can be uplifting, motivating, stimulating. It’s never dull, and nobody switches off when they listen to live music.”
For those looking to dance their way into the New Year, the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading is hosting its first-ever Moon Over New York City Gala.
“We thought, okay, here’s a great opportunity, and in some ways, we sort of owe this to the community to offer them a party or an event like this to come together and just bring in the new year together,” said Chris Shellhammer, president of Reading Hospitality.
Families with young children can celebrate earlier in the day at the Reading Public Museum’s Noon Year’s Eve event, which includes a balloon drop at noon.
Hockey fans can head to the Reading Royals’ Pajama Party game at 4 p.m.
And later that night, at 9:30 p.m., fireworks will light up the sky from Mount Penn, a New Year’s Eve tradition in Reading now in its 29th year.