Reading's Christmas on the Mountain

The city of Reading is located on the ancestral homelands of the Lenape people.

square sign reading "May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas eve" with a field of green and red Christmas lights behind it.

Date of Visit: December 19, 2023

Sometimes community events are just for their own community. It’s a chance for locals to come together amongst themselves and nothing more.

But sometimes, what starts as a community event grows into something so much more. That’s certainly the case for Reading’s Christmas on the Mountain. What started as a small event at the local playground has grown into the largest free Christmas display in the United States with more than 5 million LED lights.

holiday light display featuring a wall with zig-zagging lights in front of two Christmas trees and rows of lollipop-shaped lights on the ground

Reading’s Hillside Playground has been the event’s home for more than 30 years. The “staff” are volunteers from the local high school Junior ROTC. Major funding is provided by a local car dealership chain which helps to keep Christmas on the Mountain free for all to attend.

The free admission is certainly one of the reasons why the attraction is so popular and why it was so hard to find parking along the busy street.

Two young children look back at the camera as fake snow falls all around them as they walk up a path lined with holiday lights

There we were immediately transported into a winter wonderland as fake snow flurried all around us, coating the ground so we left footprints as we walked. It was easy to miss all the lights that surrounded us along the path.

From there we wandered along the pathways, each one lined with lights. Along one side of the attraction, a grassy field was filled with alternating strings of red and green while two matching “trees” made entirely of lights flickered along to the music.

A gif of a screen of lights flashing an image of Santa's sleigh flying through the air

At the far end of the path, metal bleachers were set up so you can sit and watch the choreographed show with trees, lollipops, and a small field of lights. Music from Frozen played as the lights appeared to dance.

In another area, trees and a gazebo were draped in blue lights while inflatable Paw Patrol pups kept watch.

a young boy in an orange and gray coat hugs someone dressed as Mickey Mouse wearing a Santa hat and coat

Character meet-and-greets could be found throughout the attraction. My six-year-old ran up to give Mickey Mouse a hug and flexed alongside The Incredible Hulk.

We also saw the Grinch, Olaf, and more cartoon stars and superheroes as we strolled the grounds.

But the person everyone wanted to meet was Santa Claus, and we found him inside one of the buildings at the playground. There was a small but manageable line of families waiting to meet the man in red.

We spent about an hour looking at lights and meeting everyone there was to meet. We probably could have spent a little longer, but with the free admission, I didn’t feel bad about heading out when we did, especially with bedtime approaching.

It may not be worth driving for hours, but if you have kids in tow and you’re near Reading (maybe you’re visiting Koziar’s Christmas Village), Christmas on the Mountain is a great place to visit.

Christmas on the Mountain
459 N. 14th Street
Reading, PA 19604

When You Go

Christmas on the Mountain is a free attraction. Consider donating to support it, or use some of the money you saved on admission to buy a hot chocolate or snack.
Parking is a challenge. The playground has dedicated parking, but not enough for the traffic brought in by Christmas on the Mountain. Be prepared to park on the city streets wherever you can find a spot.
Dress for the weather. The entire attraction – except for the Santa visits – is outside.
We spent about an hour but you could spend less or more time depending on how many characters you meet, how long the line is for Santa Claus, and whether you want to watch the full light shows.