🏫 Reading Recap - School Committee Candidate Forum
2026-03-27 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual / online
Reading Recap is pleased to announce its 2026 Local Election Candidate Conversation Forums, designed to help voters learn more about the candidates in this year’s contested local races ahead of the municipal election on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Contested seats this year include the Select Board and the School Committee.
All candidates in both contested races were invited to participate.
For the School Committee, all candidates — Geoff Coram, Erin Gaffen, and Lori Hayes — have confirmed participation.
Each one-hour session will include timed questions, structured discussion, and the opportunity for candidates to share their priorities and perspectives on key issues facing the Reading community.
Residents may watch the forums live on:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/ReadingRecap
Facebook: https://facebook.com/ReadingRecap

Additionally, RCTV will be broadcasting the forums on local television.
There is no public seating for this event.

😄 Reading Lions Comedy Night
2026-03-28 19:00 - 22:00 | Wakefield Elks, 63 Bay State Rd, Wakefield, 01880, United States
Have a great time out with friends and family on March 28 at the annual Reading Lions Comedy Night. io
The Reading Lions Comedy Night returns to The Wakefield Elks, doors open at 7:00 pm for an 8:00 pm show on Saturday, March 28.
This year’s outstanding lineup includes local funny man Paul D’Angelo. Also appearing, the master of observational humor, Steve Bjork, and hilarious Sam Pelletier. Hosted by Dave Rattigan, you’ll enjoy a night of big laughs, fun raffles, BYOF, and a cash bar. Gather up your family, neighbors, and friends and get your tickets today.
The evening’s proceeds will fund charities supporting our community: the Reading Food Pantry, scholarships, wellness exams, vision care, and more.
Tickets are $25 each and available from your friendly Reading Lions Club member or email mclough410@gmail.com. Tables seating 8 or 10 are available. Mark your calendar and we’ll see you there!

The Reading Lions Club proudly serves the community of Reading and other surrounding towns. Our fundraisers support charities in our towns and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including Mass Lions Eye Research, Reading Food Pantry, and many others. If you are interested in joining a fun, dedicated club with a mission to serve, please contact Marla Clough mclough410@gmail.com

🗳️ Local Town Election Day
2026-04-07 07:00 - 20:00 | Hawkes Field House at Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA
April 7, 2026 Local Town Election Information

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

🎨 Reading Art Association Painting Demonstration
2026-04-08 19:30 - 21:00 | First Congregational Church, 25 Woburn Street, Reading MA, 01867
On Wednesday, April 8, 2026 the Reading Art Association will host a painting demonstration by Ayelet Katz. Ayelet will demonstrate her oil painting technique.
The meeting will be held in Guild Hall, First Congregational Church (middle side door), Sanborn Street, Reading, Wednesday April 8, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
More information about Ayelet and this demonstration is available on the RAA website.
http://www.readingart.org/apr2026demo.shtml

🩸 Reading Police Department Kraft Family Blood Drive
2026-04-13 09:30 - 16:30 | Reading Police Station, 15 Union Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Join Us for a Blood Drive! 🚨
The Reading Police Department is proud to host the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center on Monday, April 13th!
Your donation can help save lives.
Location: 15 Union Street
Time: 9:30am-4:30pm
Walk-ins welcome, but appointments are encouraged! Let’s come together to make a difference. As a thank you for your donation, you will receive a Boston Strong Vest.
You can sign up here: tinyurl.com/RPD426

🌼 AprilFest 2026
2026-04-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Town Common, 680 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
This was supposed to be our annual WinterFest celebration in March. Ironically, the amount of snow on the Reading Town Common caused the Chamber to postpone until we had enough space to hold the event.
Winterfest is the Chamber’s annual outdoor celebration of downtown Reading. Established in 2022, it was created to bring the community together in a family-friendly environment as the coldest days of winter start to fade.
This is a free event, with activities paid for by local sponsors. There will be fire tables and s’mores, music, local food, beer and wine vendors, lit ice sculptures, and more. Local businesses and craft artists will have booths to visit.
Stroll the downtown, pop into stores and restaurants, and meet your friends after a looong winter. We hope to see you there.

🏷️ Mission of Deeds Yard Sale
2026-04-25 09:00 - 11:00 | 6 Chapin Avenue, 6 Chapin Avenue, Reading, 01867
Mission of Deeds is holding our semi-annual yard sale on Saturday, April 25 from 9 to 11 AM in our parking lot (6 Chapin Avenue in Reading). Mission of Deeds provides gently used furniture and brand-new beds to people in need. We often receive donations that are not suitable for the people we help so we host a yard sale to raise funds.

🌳 Planting for the Future
2026-04-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Town Forest (Strout Ave), Strout Ave, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Join this Town-wide event that is perfect for all ages
Find more details and register online by choosing a time slot:9am-11am: https://readingpl.libnet.info/event/1595890011am-1pm: https://readingpl.libnet.info/event/159589071pm-3pm: https://readingpl.libnet.info/event/15958913

🎶 Old South United Methodist Church 11th Annual Tribute Concert
2026-04-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading, 01867, United States
On Sunday, April 26 at 4 pm, Old South United Methodist Church will host its 11th Annual Tribute Concert. This concert has become a Reading tradition, featuring a wide variety of musical styles performed by talented, local instrumentalists, vocalists, choirs, and ensembles. Click here to see the performers and program details. The Concert is free and open to the public – donations & commemorative tributes given in advance of the Concert will be featured in our booklet.
We hope you will join us! Refreshments will be served following the concert. Old South is located at the top of Reading Square, 6 Salem Street in Reading. www.oldsouthumc.org

🔎 RMHS Drama Club Presents Clue: High School Edition
2026-05-01 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-02 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-03 14:00 - 15:30 | Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Rd, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
The RMHS Drama Club proudly presents its spring production of Clue: High School Edition, written by Sandy Rustin.
Based on the iconic board game and inspired by the beloved 1985 film, this fast-paced comedy invites audiences to Boddy Manor, where six mysterious guests, one suspicious butler, and a mansion full of secrets collide in a night of comedic chaos. When the lights go out and the host turns up dead, everyone becomes a suspect. Follow along to uncover the secrets of Boddy Manor and the true identity of the murderer. 🔍
This special Student Showcase highlights the extraordinary talent of students both on and off stage. Featuring student direction, design, and performance, the production celebrates the creativity and leadership of the award-winning RMHS Drama Club.
Performance Dates:

Friday, May 1 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 PM

Location:
William E. Endslow Performing Arts Center
Reading Memorial High School
62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA
Tickets:
Available at www.rmhsdrama.org
Creative Team:

Directed by Jason Walsh ‘26
Assistant Directors: Natalie Cunha & Katie Donovan
Technical Directors: Lucas Reis ‘26 & Kevin Gerstner

Join us for an evening of mystery, mayhem, and comedy for the whole family as Clue comes to life on stage!

🪘 Education Through Art: A Community Gathering
2026-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Town Common, 680 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Reading Public Schools is honored to host the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers for a special community-wide event.When: Saturday, May 2 at 10:00 AM Where: Reading Town Common This program is designed to be accessible to all ages, moving beyond the classroom to provide a vibrant, interactive experience of Northeastern Woodlands social songs and dances.Event Highlights:• Live Performance: Experience the traditional music and dance of the Wampanoag people.• Cultural Preservation: Learn about the mission to preserve and pass down these vital traditions to future generations.• Community Connection: Join neighbors and students in celebrating cultural differences and fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous history.We hope to see you there for this afternoon of education, music, and community!

🇺🇸 Memorial Day 2026
2026-05-25 09:00 - 13:00 | Laurel Hill Cemetery, 16 Lowell St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Please join us as Reading remembers the service and sacrifice of all men and women who died in service to our country.
PARADE AND CEMETERY SERVICES
9:00 AM Parade begins at the American Legion on Ash Street. All Veterans are welcome to attend.
9:15 AM Services at Laurel Hill Cemetery
10:45 AM Services at Forest Glen Cemetery
11:30 AM Services at Charles Lawn Cemetery
12:00 NOON Services at Wood End Cemetery

🎸 8th Annual Reading PorchFest
2026-06-27 12:00 - 18:00 | Reading (Townwide), Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Greetings PorchFest Performers and Hosts-to Be:
The registration links are live for Reading PorchFest 2026. You can access them from the website: Readingporchfest.com , or from Facebook
Consider this email your official invitation to sign up to host, or perform, or both host and perform at this, our 8th annual Reading PorchFest.
The festival is Saturday, June 27, 2026 from noon to 6:00pm. For those who have not participated before, you can host on a porch, driveway, front lawn, or as a business, in a courtyard or really, any open space where you can have spectators. If you know a performer who you’d like to host, that’s great. You can tell us the details on the form. If not, we’ll match you to a performer.
We will do our best to cluster performances to make the day a more walkable event. You can help us with that by encouraging your neighbors to host as well. Leave it to us to stagger performances to avoid overlap. We’ve also learned that we need to consider set up times and we will keep that in mind as well.
Performers do not have to come from Reading. We welcome all to this family-friendly setting of music and celebration. If you are from Reading and want to be your own host, that’s great. If not, we’ll match you to a host.
Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and at: readingporchfest.com
Remember, we are only an email away if you have any questions/concerns.
Thanks for being part of this fabulous event.
Alan and Ace Foulds
