Recapping Everything in Reading, MA

🗳️ Local Town Election Day
2025-04-08 07:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Hawkes Field House at Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA
April 8, 2025 Local Town Election Information
7:00 AM to 8:00 PM – Reading Memorial High School Field House

Deadline to request a vote by mail ballot to be mailed is by 5:00 PM on April 1st.
Deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed is by 5:00 PM on April 1st.
Deadline to request an absentee ballot in person is by 12:00 PM on April 7th.
Last day to Register to Vote – by 5:00 PM on March 29th.
In-Person Early Voting will be March 31st to April 3rd at Reading Town Hall

Monday March 31st – 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday April 1st – 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Wednesday April 2nd – 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday April 4th – 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Register to Vote Online
Register to Vote Application (PDF)
Vote By Mail Application (PDF)
Request Vote By Mail Ballot Online
Absentee Ballot Application (PDF)

📆 Joint Community Forums: Killam School & Reading Center for Active Living
2025-04-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Rd, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Join town officials and project leaders as they come together to host two joint forums on the projects coming before the community this Spring: The Killam School Building Project and the Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) project.

The first forum will be held in-person on Wednesday, April 2 at 7pm at the RMHS Performing Arts Center. The second forum will be held virtually on Zoom on Wednesday April 16 at 7pm.

Both forums will cover the Killam School and ReCAL projects and the anticipated financial impact for residents.

See additional information about both projects here: https://www.readingma.gov/963/Improving-Reading.

🎤10th Annual Tribute Concert and Hymn Sing
2025-03-30 16:00 - 18:00 | Old South Methodist Church, 6 Salem Street, Reading, 01867
10th Annual Tribute Concert and Hymn Sing
March 30th, 4 pm
Old South United Methodist Church
Located at the top of Reading Square, 6 Salem. St.
Come hear wonderful solo and choir performances, interspersed with your favorite hymns — at our 10th Tribute Concert and Hymn Sing! We will feature local talent, graduates New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, in addition to our brass ensemble, handbell choir and the Tribute Concert choir. It promises to be an uplifting afternoon of music. https://www.oldsouthumc.org/
Funds are raised in advance of the concert to support the work Old South and the United Methodist Church which seeks to make this world a better place. The concert is free (no tickets!) but there is a goodwill offering, if people feel inclined to give. Mostly, Old South just wants to fill the sanctuary with people and great music, so please come join us!
There will be a reception following the concert, too!

🐰 Easter Bunny at GoodHearts Childrens Shop
2025-03-30 09:00 - 12:00 | GoodHearts Childrens Shop, 642 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867-1515, United States
The Easter Bunny will be at Good Hearts Sunday March 30th 9am-12pm.
Capturing Simple Moments Photography will be joining us to photograph the children with the Easter Bunny.
The cost for the event is $40 per family, each family will have a visit and photo with the Easter Bunny.
The photos will be uploaded to a public gallery on Monday, April 14th for download (at no additional charge) after the event.
(On average 2 photos per family)
The timeslot allows for up to 4 people a visit and photo with the Easter Bunny, if you have a larger party please book an additional timeslot.
Fee in nonrefundable.
TO SIGN UP: Choose an available time from drop down menu and add to cart. At check out make sure to select Store Pick Up to avoid paying shipping costs.
If you have any questions or need help booking a timeslot you can call the store at 781-942-9700 for assistance.

💲ReCAL Financial Overview Forum
2025-03-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
The next public forums for the Reading Center for Active Living project will be held in March and will go over the financial outlook of the project. Join project leaders and town staff on Tuesday March 25 at 6:30pm at the Pleasant Street Center or on Thursday March 27 at 10am at Town Hall in the Select Board Room. The same information will be shared at both forums, but different times and locations are being provided to enable more residents to attend. Both forums will be recorded, and there will be virtual attendance options forthcoming.
If you have feedback or thoughts to share on the project, or want to learn more, please visit the project website at readingma.gov/recal or reach out to ReCAL@readingma.gov.

💲ReCAL Financial Overview Forum
2025-03-25 18:30 - 20:00 | Pleasant Street Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States

🎙️ 1st Annual Candidate Conversations Forum
2025-03-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
On Monday May 24th from 7-9pm, Reading Recap will be hosting it’s First Annual Candidate Conversations Forum! This will be our modern take on the typical Meet the Candidates forum of years past. Moderating both forums will be longtime Reading School Committee member, Charles Robinson, whose not seeking reelection this year. This will be your first look at this years candidates from the contested races of the Select Board and School Committee. We will be live-streaming it to our YouTube, Facebook, X and Twitch pages and it will be provided to RCTV for rebroadcast on television if they so choose.
We’ll have the URL’s up by this weekend as well as additional details.

🥡 Reading Youth Football Fundraiser at Mandarin
2025-03-22 11:30 - 22:30 | Mandarin, 296 Salem Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Come dine with us on Friday, March 22, 2025 to help raise money for the
Reading Youth Football organization. Please present the coupon below and 20% of your
check’s value will be donated to the Reading Youth Football organization. Valid for dine in or take out only.

💺 Reading Police Department Child Car Seat Event
2025-03-22 11:00 - 13:30 | Reading Police Station, 15 Union Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Mark your Calendars!

Car Seat Installation Event
Saturday, March 22nd
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Reading Police Department

Ensure your child’s safety! Certified technicians will be available to assist with proper car seat installation and provide valuable safety tips. No appointment needed—just show up!

🏓 3rd Annual Community Pickleball Day
2025-03-16 10:30 - 15:00 | Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Rd, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Save the date! Sunday, March 16th from 10:30am – 3pm. Indoors at Reading Memorial High School Hawkes Field House. Recreational & competitive play by level, beginner & advanced beginner clinics, intro to pickleball for beginners. Registration opens on February 18th. Proceeds to go towards dedicated, public pickleball courts at Symonds Way.

We need volunteers. If you’re interested, please contact readingmapickleball@gmail.com or visit https://www.readingmapickleball.org/
More information to follow as the event drawers closer.
Interested in participating? contact readingmapickleball@gmail.com to receive updates.
Reading Pickleball Players Association is a 501(c)(3) non profit.

🕺FORR Annual Daddy Daughter Dance 💃
2025-03-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Hawkes Field House at Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA
Get ready for a night of fun and memories at the Hawkes Field House at Reading Memorial High School. Join us for a night of music, dancing, and creating unforgettable moments on Friday, March 14 · 6 – 8pm.
Light refreshments and snacks will also be available for purchase ($1 each); as always, proceeds from this event will benefit the Fireworks at Reading Town Day in June 2025.
We will also have a photobooth to help you capture the amazing night of memories.
Don’t miss out on this chance to make lasting memories with your little ones.
To simplify ticketing this year, all tickets are $20; this covers a guardian and their daughters.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Tickets will also be available at the door if you would like to avoid the Eventbrite service fees.
Here is the link to the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-friends-of-reading-rec-annual-daddydaughter-dance-tickets-1253029367569

🥡 Reading Garden Club Fundraiser at Mandarin
2025-03-14 11:30 - 22:30 | Mandarin, 296 Salem Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Come dine with us on Friday, March 14, 2025 to help raise money for the
Reading Garden Club. Please present the coupon below and 20% of your
check’s value will be donated to the Reading Garden Club (RGC), a non-profit
501 (C) (3) organization. Valid for dine in or take out only for the date listed
above. To get a coupon please download from our website at www.readinggardenclub.org

🕙 Rep. Brad Jones Office Hours
2025-03-14 10:15 - 11:15 | Pleasant Street Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Representative Brad Jones will be having his monthly district office hours on March 14th. Brad or a member of his staff will be available at the Pleasant Street Center, located at 49 Pleasant Street, from 10:15AM until 11:15AM.

You can always reach out to Representative Jones anytime via his email address: Bradley.Jones@mahouse.gov or by emailing his Director of Local Affairs and Scheduling, Sara Doran, at Sara.Doran@mahouse.gov

🎨 Reading Art Association March Demonstration
2025-03-12 19:30 - 21:30 | First Congregational Church, 25 Woburn Street, Reading MA, 01867
On March 12, 2025 the Reading Art Association will host a demonstration by Loren Doucette. She works in Oil, Acrylic, Pastel and Gouache.
The meeting will be held in Guild Hall, First Congregational Church (middle side door), Sanborn Street, Reading, Wednesday March 12, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
More information about Loren and this demo is available on the RAA website.
http://www.readingart.org/mar2025demo.shtml
Using Oil, Acrylic, Pastel and Gouache, Loren’s work includes architectural landscapes unique to Gloucester’s harbor, vibrant floral paintings, emotional figurative work and abstractions that come from the bones of all three subjects. Her paintings are prayers hovering between realism and abstraction and celebrate the sun, flowers, people and color of this world.
You can see some of Loren’s work at her website: https://lorendoucetteart.com/home.html

🎭 "Curtains the Musical" by the Parker Middle School Drama Club
2025-03-08 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-03-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-03-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Rd, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
CURTAINS THE MUSICAL is playing at Reading Memorial High School on March 6th at 6:30 pm, March 7th at 7 pm, and March 8th at 2 pm. The show, put on by the Parker Middle School Drama Club, is a musical comedy about a murder mystery that takes place backstage at a 1959 Boston theater. The Parker Drama Club cast and crew are led by director Stephen MacDonald, musical director Jennifer DiMuzio, and choreographer Nancy Katz. All performances of CURTAINS THE MUSICAL are open to the general public at RMHS Performing Arts Center. Admission is $15 per adult and $12 per student/senior. Purchase tickets at https://cur8.com/19736/project/129934

❄️ Winterfest 2025
2025-03-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Town Common, 680 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Our Third Annual Winterfest is shaping up to be another great event. If you’ve never been, you have missed out on seeing hundreds of your local customers socializing and sipping on Reading Common as the March sunsets.
What is Winterfest? Winterfest is the annual outdoor celebration of downtown Reading. Established in 2022 by the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce. It was created to bring the community together in a family-friendly environment as the coldest days of winter start to fade.
This year, there will be fire tables and s’mores, music, local food and beer vendors, lit ice sculptures, and more. Stroll the downtown, pop into stores and restaurants, and make memories.
This is a rain-or-shine event.

🍔 Fuddruckers 3-lb Burger Challenge
2025-03-04 11:00 - 18:00 | Fuddruckers, 50 Walkers Brook Dr, Reading, MA, 01867-1515, United States
Fuddruckers 3-lb burger challenge is back!

For $34.99, challenge yourself to eat our 3-lb burger on a 3-lb bun, with 1-lb of our famous wedge cut fries. Don’t worry, you’ll have a bottomless fountain beverage to wash it down!

Anyone who completes this challenge in 45 minutes or less receives $50 in gift certificates and undeniable respect. The winner who completes this challenge in the fastest time throughout the day will receive $100 in gift certificates and a trophy for this incredible achievement.

Held every hour on the hour from 11-6pm on March 4th, 2025.

Whether you participate, or are just there to watch, we hope you join us in the Fat Tuesday Festivities!

To register, visit:
https://forms.gle/w1PFXjNKv5Vb52Lu8

Please email marketing@myfudds.com with any questions! Or, send me a message!

Fuddruckers Reading
50 Walkers Brook Dr. Reading, MA 01867

💬 Auschwitz Survivor to Speak in Reading
2025-03-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Rd, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
On March 3, 2025, the Reading community will have a rare opportunity to hear first hand testimony from 97-year-old Holocaust survivor Helga Melmed. Hosted by Chabad of Wakefield, the event will take place at the William E. Endslow Performing Arts Center at Reading Memorial High School and is open to the public.

Born in Berlin, Melmed’s childhood was shattered by the rise of Nazi Germany. At just five years old, she was called a “dirty Jew” and beaten by her teacher. By the time she was thirteen, she and her parents had been deported to the Lodz Ghetto, where her father perished. She was later sent to Auschwitz, forced into labor camps, and endured a brutal death march to

Bergen-Belsen, where she was near death when the British liberated the camp in 1945.

Now residing in Florida, Melmed is making a special trip to Massachusetts for this event, recognizing the urgent need to share her story amid rising antisemitism.

“There is so much hate in the world today,” Melmed says. “I speak so people understand where hate leads, and why we must choose kindness instead.”

The evening will feature a moving performance of the theme from Schindler’s List, setting the tone for reflection and remembrance.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at

www.JewishWakefield.com/tickets or by calling 781-205-9593.

This event is made possible by Chabad of Wakefield and generous corporate sponsors, ensuring that Melmed’s message continues to educate and inspire generations to come.

🥡 Refugee Community Alliance Fundraiser at Mandarin
2025-02-28 11:30 - 22:30 | Mandarin, 296 Salem Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Does your family love Asian food?
Do you dread figuring out what to make for dinner?!
Why not take the night off from cooking and support the Refugee Community Alliance at the same time?!
On Friday, February 28th, the Refugee Community Alliance hosting a restaurant fundraiser at the Mandarin Reading Asian restaurant! (296 Salem Street in Reading).
Dine in OR order take-out and the Refugee Community Alliance receives 20+% of sales!
The Mandarin Reading is open for lunch or dinner (11:30 AM – 10:30 PM), and our fundraiser runs all day!
Please see our flyer for more information and please bring your flyer to the restaurant on Friday, February 28th. Thank you!

PDF – CouponBenefit-Refugee Community Alliance

🚆 MBTA Turnback Track Public Meeting
2025-02-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Pleasant Street Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
The MBTA will host an in-person public meeting on its Reading Turnback Track project on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 7:00 – 8:30 PM, at the Pleasant Street Center, 49 Pleasant Street in Reading. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update on the progress and benefits of the project and answer questions. The project will allow the MBTA to increase weekday Commuter Rail train frequency into and out of Boston to 30-minute intervals all day.

🧠 Black History Trivia Night
2025-02-25 18:30 - 20:00 | Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Join us on Tuesday February 25, 6:30 pm for an evening of Black history trivia at the Reading Public Library Studio and for the unveiling of a Harriet Tubman portrait painted by Reading’s own, Rob Surette. There will be prizes for the trivia winners!

🌳 Birch Meadow Phase II Public Forum
2025-02-25 18:30 - 20:00 | Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
The Town of Reading will be holding a Public Forum on Tuesday February 25th, 2025, at 6:30 for the Birch Meadow Phase II Project, located off Bancroft Ave. This project is part of the Birch Meadow Master Plan and will include renovations to the two basketball courts, the tot lot playground, and additional parking on Bancroft Ave.

If you’re interested in learning more about the impact of this project or have any questions, we encourage you to attend the meeting in person, in the Town Hall conference e room or via Zoom. Link here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89984900072…

If you have any questions prior to the meeting, please reach out directly to Recreation Administrator Jim Sullivan at jsullivan@readingma.gov.

🖼️ Reading Art Association February 12 Demonstration
2025-02-12 19:30 - 21:30 | First Congregational Church, 25 Woburn Street, Reading MA, 01867
On February 12, 2025 the Reading Art Association will host a demonstration by Traci Thayne Corbett. She will demonstrate her oil landscape technique.
The meeting will be held in Guild Hall, First Congregational Church (middle side door), Sanborn Street, Reading, Wednesday February 12, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
More information about Tracy and this demo is available on the RAA website.
http://www.readingart.org/feb2025demo.shtml
Traci is best known for bold compositions and expressive brushwork which she employs to depict rustic marine scenes, landscapes and portraits. Her work is painterly, with the textures creating a sense of emotion and movement.
You can see some of Traci’s work at her website: https://artcloud.market/artist/traci-thayne-corbett

🎶 Reading Community Singers “Open Rehearsals”
2025-02-11 19:30 - 21:30 | Old South Methodist Church, 6 Salem Street, Reading, 01867
Reading Community Singers ~ New and Returning Singers Welcome!
Reading Community Singers has 2 more “Open Rehearsals” for their Spring Concert ~ “For the Beauty of the Earth”, on Tuesday, February 4th and 11th, from 7:30 to 9:30 at Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading. New Singers may attend these 2 rehearsals to “try RCS out”, before registering. Please arrive early for check-in.
Founded in 1919, Reading Community Singers is a non-audition chorus and New Members are always welcome ~ of every voice and experience level, ages 16 to whatever! And as with most choruses – RCS is always looking for “just a few more good men”! They only ask that Singers can carry a tune and match pitch – both of which are much easier to do working together as a chorus. Commitment to attending rehearsals is also a must.
Music for the Spring Concert will include the title song — Rutter’s “For the Beauty of the Earth”, as well as the Medley – “Forever Motown”, and Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind”, among many others. Elijah Botkin is returning for his third season as Spring Artistic Director for RCS and Joe Beninati will again be the Rehearsal and Concert Accompanist. Beninati has worked with RCS for over 20 seasons.
Rehearsals continue every Tuesday, with the Concert on Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 pm Reading Memorial High School.
Online Registration is now Open, or you can Register in person at these 2 rehearsals. For more information about Rehearsals, this Concert, or RCS in general, please go to www.ReadingCommunitySingers.org, or send an email to info@ReadingCommunitySingers.org.
~~~~~~
This Concert is funded in part by a Grant from the Reading Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

💨 Reading Rotary Movin’ to End Polio at the Burbank YMCA
2025-02-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Burbank YMCA, 36 Arthur B Lord Dr, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
In lieu of the Polar Plunge this year, the Reading Rotary is going to “Get Movin to End Polio” at the Burbank YMCA in Reading.

Event Date: Tuesday, February 11th

Time: 6:30pm arrival for photos and sign waiver/Events begin at 7:00pm

Who can attend: EVERYONE! Please bring your friends, spouses, families, neighbors and Interact.

Events: Spin Bikes, Treadmills, Ellipticals, Basketball, and Pickle Ball (modified). Please use the link below to RSVP for your preferred activity.

The Reading Rotary has created a Raise for Rotary fundraiser page for their challenge. Please use and send the link below for people donate on your behalf. All donations will automatically be sent to The Rotary Foundation and credited to the Club.

Donation Link: https://raise.rotary.org/Reading-Rotary/challenge

🎭 RMHS Drama Club Presents "An Unoriginal Original"
2025-02-09 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-02-08 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-02-07 19:30 - 21:00 | Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Rd, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Title: RMHS Drama Club Presents “An Unoriginal Original”
When:
Feb 7th & 8th at 7:30 pm
Feb 9th at 2:00 pm
Where: RMHS Endslow Performing Arts Center, 62 Oakland Rd, Reading, MA 01867
Tickets: https://www.rmhsdrama.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1De85epEgu/
Description:
Get ready for a wild ride in the RMHS Drama Club’s fast-paced comedy, “An Unoriginal Original”! This uproarious one-act play takes a sharp and hilarious dive into the world of “ART-ificial Intelligence,” where creativity meets technology in the most unexpected ways. Watch as the cast navigates a chaotic and comical exploration of what it means to be truly original in a world of endless influences and algorithms. From surprise twists to laugh-out-loud moments, this show promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Don’t miss this truly one-of-a-kind production, which will be entering the prestigious METG One Act Play Festival in March!
Adapted by the Cast
Directed by Mrs. Natalie Cunha
Assistant Directed by Ms. Katie Donovan
