Recapping Everything in Reading, MA

🐎 General Lafayette Visits Reading: 200th Anniversary Celebration
2025-06-21 09:00 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | Downtown Reading, 610 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
General Lafayette Visits Reading
According to The Genealogical History of Reading, “General Lafayette, in his visit to this country in 1825, passed through this town on his way to Concord, N.H. He stopped at the hotel that stood where the bank building now stands, for half an hour or so. He made a short address to a crowd of the citizens that came to see and welcome him. The General was attended by another French gentleman and several carriages containing other distinguished parties.”
Program for June 21st, 2025
-9:00 am, Arrival of carriage at 643 Main Street, Reading, MA
-Welcome by Peter Maguire
-Address by Alan Hoffman, President of the American Friends of Lafayette
-Short address by Peter Maguire on the 50-year friendship between the Reading town doctor and Minute Man commander, John Brooks, and General Lafayette.
-Address by General Lafayette.
-Carriage continues down side street to the Senior Center to be picked up.

🪘 Juneteenth Freedom Festival
2025-06-21 13:00 - 19:00 | Town Common, 680 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Reading Public Library, Reading, MA—Grab your family and friends, take advantage of the longest day of the year, and come down to the Town Common on Saturday, June 21 to celebrate Juneteenth! This is a family-friendly event with music, food, speakers, and a pop-up market.

More details will be available soon, and in the meantime, if you’d like to volunteer for the event or learn more about the program, contact: Albert Pless: apless@readingma.gov

🎸 7th Annual Reading PorchFest
2025-06-28 12:00 - 18:00 | Reading (Townwide), Reading, MA, 01867, United States
The Reading PorchFest Committee announces that this year’s edition of the popular music festival is set for Saturday, June 28th. As always, the event runs from noon to 6 pm.
It features music of all genres on porches, driveways, and yards throughout the town, and it’s completely free. Organizers, musicians, and hosts are all volunteers.
To participate as a musician, a host, or maybe both, check out ReadingPorchfest.com for all the information needed to get involved. Official registration will open Saturday, March 1st.
Those hoping to be spectators that day will find a comprehensive schedule and a map at the site as the date of the festival nears. Also appearing as the schedule shapes up will be a gallery of artists and music samples. To take in all the talent, one needs just to walk or ride from venue to venue to hear many types of music.
Costs for the event are partially paid for by the Reading Cultural Council.
Reading PorchFest began as part of the town’s 375th anniversary celebration in 2019, and has continued as an annual event, set each year on the fourth Saturday of June. It has grown with each edition, and early signs point to this being the biggest year yet.
Again, that’s Saturday, June 28th. Put it on your calendar right now, before you forget.

🗑️ Old Trash & Recycling Barrels – Monday Trash Route
2025-07-12 | Reading (Townwide), Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Special Curbside Barrel Collection Events

A special curbside collection event for resident’s existing trash and recycling containers will occur this summer on Saturdays starting on July 12 through August 9 where Republic Services will pick up your existing old containers free of charge. The dates for the special collection are below:

July 12 – Monday trash route
July 19 – Tuesday trash route
July 26 – Wednesday trash route
August 2 – Thursday trash route
August 9 – Friday trash route

Need to double check which day you get picked up? See the list here: https://www.readingma.gov/…/What-Day-is-My-Rubbish-and…

Old containers are also great to keep and use for storage, or use them to hold indoor recycling to transfer to your new outdoor bin.

If you have any questions, call the DPW office at 781-439-6930 or open a SeeClickFix request.

🎶 Summer Concert Series - Reading Community Concert Band
2025-07-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Reading Community Concert Band – Concert Variety

Concerts will be held at Memorial Park this year. There is street parking on Charles Street and Harrison Street and there is a small parking lot off of Salem Street. Bring your blanket or chairs and enjoy these free summer concerts.
There are no rain dates for our summer concerts. For information regarding weather cancellations, please visit the home page of our website at www.readingrec.com after 5:00PM on the day of the concert. We will try to post the cancellation notice as close to 5:00PM as possible but please understand that a last-minute cancellation could happen.

🪄 Reading Rec Children's Performances - Stevie Kidding, The Ridiculous Magician
2025-07-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
These children’s performances will be held at 10AM on Wednesday mornings at Memorial Park. Please park on Charles Street or Harrison Street for these free Wednesday performances.
There are no rain dates for these performances. For information regarding weather cancellations, please call the Recreation Division at (781) 942-9075 after 9:00AM on the day of the performance or visit the home page of our website at www.readingrec.com. We will try to post the cancellation notice as close to 9:00AM as possible but please understand that a last-minute cancellation could happen.

Links:

7/16 Stevie Kidding, The Ridiculous Magician
7/23 Stacey Peasley Band
7/30 Yo-Yo Guy
8/6 Matt Heaton & The Outside Toys
8/13 Johnny the K

👟 Reading Lions/ Friends of Reading Recreation 5K Road Race
2025-07-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Lace up your sneakers, the Reading Lions Club and
Friends of Reading Recreation
Journey for Sight 5K Road Race returns!

The Reading Lions Club (“Club”) and The Friends of Reading Recreation annually present a family-friendly 5K Road Race and 1 Mile Walk through central Reading. All proceeds from the race are donated to the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund (MLERF), and other local sight-related charities supported by the Club. MLERF finances basic eye research at world renowned institutions such as the Mass. Eye and Ear right here in Boston. Over the years, the Club has donated over $336,000 from the proceeds of this race to MLERF, and we are excited to continue these efforts in conjunction with the Friends of Reading Recreation (FORR).

Time: 6:30 pm
Memorial Park, Harrison St. Reading, MA

Event Information

Registration Cost:

Before race day: $30 for 18 years and older and $20 for 17 years & under
Race day: $35 for 18 years and older and $25 for 17 years & under

Awards will be given out for the following categories:

1st Overall Male, Female, and Non-Binary
Top 3 Male, Female, and Non-Binary in each of the age categories: 15 & Under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59. 60-69, 70-79, and 80+.

T-Shirts are guaranteed for the first 250 people who register.

Race Website
Additional race information can be found at https://www.readinglionsclub.org.

Course Map

🗑️ Old Trash & Recycling Barrels – Tuesday Trash Route
2025-07-19 | Reading (Townwide), Reading, MA, 01867, United States

🎶 Summer Concert Series - Perfect Crime
2025-07-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Perfect Crime – Classic Rock Band

Concerts will be held at Memorial Park this year. There is street parking on Charles Street and Harrison Street and there is a small parking lot off of Salem Street. Bring your blanket or chairs and enjoy these free summer concerts.
There are no rain dates for our summer concerts. For information regarding weather cancellations, please visit the home page of our website at www.readingrec.com after 5:00PM on the day of the concert. We will try to post the cancellation notice as close to 5:00PM as possible but please understand that a last-minute cancellation could happen.

🪕 Reading Rec Children's Performances - Stacey Peasley Band
2025-07-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States

🎭 Elf, JR. the Musical
2025-07-25 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-07-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Rd, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity.

Friday, July 25, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Saturday, July 26, 2024 @ 2:00pm

William E. Endslow Performing Arts Center
Reading Memorial High School
62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA
​
​Directed by William Endslow
Music Direction by Kristin Killian
Choreography by Nancy Katz​
​​​​​​
Presented with permission by MTI International

Purchase Tickets!

Tickets are available online until three hours prior to showtime. After that, they can be purchased at the box office beginning ninety (90) minutes before showtime.

🗑️ Old Trash & Recycling Barrels – Wednesday Trash Route
2025-07-26 | Reading (Townwide), Reading, MA, 01867, United States

🎶 Summer Concert Series - Jumpin' Juba
2025-07-27 18:00 - 19:30 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Jumpin’ Juba – Classic Boogie-Woogie, Blues, Folk and Memphis Rock & Roll

Concerts will be held at Memorial Park this year. There is street parking on Charles Street and Harrison Street and there is a small parking lot off of Salem Street. Bring your blanket or chairs and enjoy these free summer concerts.
There are no rain dates for our summer concerts. For information regarding weather cancellations, please visit the home page of our website at www.readingrec.com after 5:00PM on the day of the concert. We will try to post the cancellation notice as close to 5:00PM as possible but please understand that a last-minute cancellation could happen.

🕰️ Select Board Member Karen Rose-Gillis Office Hours
2025-07-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Presence & Co, 557 Main Street, Reading, 01867, United States
Select Board Member Karen Rose-Gillis will host office hours today, July 28th at Presence & Co. 557 Main Street from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. Stop by to ask questions, share your thoughts, or just say hello!
For more information check out the Select Board page: www.readingma.gov/selectboard

🧸 Stuffed Animal Sleepover at Reading Public Library
2025-07-29 09:00 - 17:00 | Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Drop off your stuffie to spend the night!
Kids ages 4-6 can come by between 9am-5pm on Tuesday July 29 and drop off a stuffed animal to spend the night! Follow along on all of the sleepover fun by watching our Instagram stories Tuesday night. Stuffed animals can be picked up starting the following morning.

🪀 Reading Rec Children's Performances - Yo-Yo Guy
2025-07-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States

🗑️ Old Trash & Recycling Barrels – Thursday Trash Route
2025-08-02 | Reading (Townwide), Reading, MA, 01867, United States

🎶 Summer Concert Series - Steve Savio
2025-08-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Steve Savio – Contemporary Classics

Concerts will be held at Memorial Park this year. There is street parking on Charles Street and Harrison Street and there is a small parking lot off of Salem Street. Bring your blanket or chairs and enjoy these free summer concerts.
There are no rain dates for our summer concerts. For information regarding weather cancellations, please visit the home page of our website at www.readingrec.com after 5:00PM on the day of the concert. We will try to post the cancellation notice as close to 5:00PM as possible but please understand that a last-minute cancellation could happen.

🎸 Reading Rec Children's Performances - Matt Heaton & The Outside Toys
2025-08-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States

🗑️ Old Trash & Recycling Barrels – Friday Trash Route
2025-08-09 | Reading (Townwide), Reading, MA, 01867, United States

🎶 Summer Concert Series: Squeezebox Stompers
2025-08-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Squeezebox Stompers – Americana, Cajun, zydeco, blues, Folk

Concerts will be held at Memorial Park this year. There is street parking on Charles Street and Harrison Street and there is a small parking lot off of Salem Street. Bring your blanket or chairs and enjoy these free summer concerts.
There are no rain dates for our summer concerts. For information regarding weather cancellations, please visit the home page of our website at www.readingrec.com after 5:00PM on the day of the concert. We will try to post the cancellation notice as close to 5:00PM as possible but please understand that a last-minute cancellation could happen.

🕰️ Select Board Member Karen Rose-Gillis Office Hours Today
2025-08-11 12:00 - 14:00 | Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Select Board Member Karen Rose-Gillis will host office hours today, Monday August 11th from 12:00PM to 2:00PM at the Reading Town Hall Berger Conference Room. Stop by to ask questions, share your thoughts, or just say hello!
For more information check out the Select Board page: www.readingma.gov/selectboard

🚒 Annual Vehicle Day
2025-08-12 07:30 - 09:00 | Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Our annual touch-a-truck event for all ages!

It’s the 26th annual Vehicle Day at the Reading Public Library! Join your children’s librarians in the library parking lot for some bright & early touch-a-truck fun. This event is rain or shine.
Many thanks to our program partners–the Reading Police department, the Reading Fire department, the Reading Municipal Light department, and, of course, the Friends of the Reading Public Library!

🎸 Reading Rec Children's Performances - Johnny the K
2025-08-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States

🚲 Family Bike Rally
2025-08-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Get ready to roll! Come decorate your bike and brush up on your bike safety before joining us for a fun bike parade. This event is rain or shine!

🎶 Summer Concert Series - Island Castaways
2025-08-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Memorial Park, 53 Harrison St, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Island Castaways – Tropical Rock Band

Concerts will be held at Memorial Park this year. There is street parking on Charles Street and Harrison Street and there is a small parking lot off of Salem Street. Bring your blanket or chairs and enjoy these free summer concerts.
There are no rain dates for our summer concerts. For information regarding weather cancellations, please visit the home page of our website at www.readingrec.com after 5:00PM on the day of the concert. We will try to post the cancellation notice as close to 5:00PM as possible but please understand that a last-minute cancellation could happen.

🟢 Green Communities Designation Recognition Event
2025-08-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Town Common, 680 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Save the Date! Reading is excited to host our Green Communities Designation Recognition Event on the Reading Town Common on Thursday, August 21st at 10:00 am. This event will include Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney, Representatives of the Reading Delegation, the Reading Select Board, Various town committees, and Town of Reading employees.

RCTV will record the recognition event and post for distribution. Members of the media and the general public are welcome and encouraged to attend.

🗣️ Reading Voices: Tell Your Story, LIVE! Share your writing or personal story with the community
2025-08-23 12:00 - 15:00 | Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave, Reading, MA, 01867, United States
Everyone has a story to tell – what’s yours? Take your writing or personal experience from page to stage and tell us out loud in a Moth-style live community storytelling event.
Write it, read it, speak it.
Are you a writer who wants to share your work with a live audience?
Have a compelling personal story to tell?
Join fellow Reading residents for Reading Voices: Tell Your Story, a LIVE, open-mic style event, Saturday, August 23, 12-3 pm.
Registration is required to present, but not to attend.
Registration for presenters opens July 25. CALL TO SIGN UP: 781-942-6703

🎶 Reading Community Singers ~ OPEN Rehearsals ~ Come Join Us!
2025-08-26 19:00 - 21:30 | Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading, 01867, United States
Mark your calendar! The Reading Community Singers is pleased to announce our Fall season will begin with OPEN Rehearsals, starting Tuesday, August 26, 2024, and continuing on to September 2 and 9. New and Returning Singers are welcome!
Sign-In at the first 3 Rehearsals will start at 6:45 PM, with Rehearsal to follow at 7:30. Registration is Open for the first three rehearsals – try RCS out for up to three weeks before joining! While RCS does NOT require Auditions, our Members must love to sing, be able to match pitch and carry a tune, and be committed to attending rehearsals. We’re open to all ages and backgrounds – from 18 years to Senior Citizens. Founded in 1919, RCS is one of the longest running non-audition choruses in the United States.All Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:30 PM at Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading MA.
Our Concert “Hope for the Holidays” will be presented Saturday, December 6 at Reading Memorial High School, with Beth Mosier ~ Artistic Director, and Joe Beninati ~ Accompanist, and a full band. The music is a mix of uplifting songs, to bring Hope, Peace, Love and Dreams to this Holiday season. And this season – Once rehearsals are underway – Any singers who wish to will have the opportunity to audition for a solo or small group number of their choosing.
Join RCS this season and have a fantastic time learning the music and making new friends. For more information, go to our website https://ReadingCommunitySingers.org, find us on FB https://www.facebook.com/ReadingCommunitySingers, or email us at info@ReadingCommunitySingers.org
