Holiday Lights at Gring's Mill

Berks County is located on the ancestral homelands of the Lenapi people.

Historic stone barn illuminated by lights along the roof that refelct into the water nearby

Date of Visit: December 23, 2020

There are plenty of attractions that strive to be the “biggest” and the “best,” especially at the holidays.

But there are also community events that have become annual traditions without the need to grow year after year. The Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill is small, simple, and just fine the way it is.

Light display with a family of four carolers in lights standing behind a fence with string lights

Gring’s Mill is part of the Berks County parks system, a former grist mill that sits along the Union Canal trail near Reading. In the summer months, it’s a place for picnics and trips to the playground. But for the month of December, visitors are coming for nighttime fun.

The park has been hosting its Holiday Lights event for nearly 40 years, and the community continues to support the annual celebration.

Lighted snowmen sit in a snowy area at the Holiday Lights at Gring's Mill

Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill is free to enter. On weekend nights, when the event is the busiest, the grass parking area fills up as visitors take the short walk to the main road that runs through the park.

Lights are set up throughout the grassy area. There are snowmen and snowflakes, carolers and skaters, and reindeer pulling a sleigh. They are simple light fixtures, not a modern light show, but they’re still fun, especially for the little ones.

A small living room set up with a chair and Christmas tree at Gring's Mill

At the bottom of the hill is an old barn that has been transformed into an event space. Inside the barn is Santa’s home for the winter, a place where families can gather for photos or to tell Santa all the items on their list.

Outside the barn, a rotating roster of food trucks serves up hot and cold drinks and food. (The chai and hot chocolate from the Perk-Up Truck are always a delight).

There is also live music every night under the outdoor pavilion with offerings varying from harpists to brass bands to classic rock.

Christmas lights trung across a stone bridge at Gring's Mill

A small stone bridge traverses the Tulpehocken Creek, and it is covered with strings of lights to create a sort of an open tunnel. The lights lead the way to the pump house, a tiny structure that is now home to a model train set that includes a model of the red pagoda that overlooks the City of Reading from atop Mt. Penn.

The water of the Tulpehocken reflects the lights from the other side of the bridge, and the old barn and house give off a beautiful glow. A snowy night makes it an even more magical scene.

It’s not the largest or “best” holiday display around, but it’s a fun, family-friendly, and free evening with enough to enjoy to make it worthwhile if you’re in the area.

Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill
2083 Tulpehocken Road
Reading, PA 19610

When You Go

The event is free to enter with food available to purchase from the on-site food trucks.
Gring’s Mill is not large, and the lights are simple so it doesn’t take long to see them all. Your length of stay is dependent on seeing Santa, getting food or drinks, and staying for the music.
The event runs on Wednesdays through Sundays in December.