GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
201 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601
The GoogleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading is dedicated to promoting and preserving the arts in Berks County. Housed in the former Willson Safety Goggle Factory, the building has been transformed into a dynamic arts space featuring galleries, artist studios, a film theatre, a glass-blowing facility, The New Store, and office space for community arts and cultural organizations. In addition to exhibits, classes, and workshops the GoggleWorks offers exceptional opportunities for everyone to experience and learn about the arts. Community outreach includes summer camps, scholarships, after-school programs, and a community garden that is 100% FREE and accessible to everyone. Annual events like the Pumpkin Palooza, Handcrafted Holiday Market, and Annual Iron Pour & Forge Fest are a great way to support the GoggleWorks and become familiar with its programs
West Reading’s Mural Walk
Begin the walk at the corner of Cherry St & South Fourth Ave
It all began with an idea to bring residents, businesses, and artists together with a cluster of six murals in a one-block of West Reading. Today, when looking for things to do in West Reading, enjoy the Mural Walk, a vibrant, growing, and free art collection. Over thirty paint and mosaic murals adorn buildings along Cherry Street, a narrow street parallel to the borough's main thoroughfare, Penn Avenue. Follow the Mural Walk by car or on foot, and marvel at this fun and unique public art display.
Berks Arts
503 Penn Street, Suite 301, Reading, PA 19601
Berks Arts brings music to the masses in Pennsylvania’s Americana Region with a wide range of events that celebrate the musical and artistic achievements of the region. The non-profit’s signature event, Berks Jazz Fest, is one of the largest jazz festivals in the country and takes place over ten days each spring. The annual festival features over 100 ticketed and free concerts with performances by some of the biggest names in jazz as well as up-and-coming musicians.
In 2017, Berks Arts created Reading Blues Fest to complement Berks Jazz Fest. The fest is held in the fall and welcomes guests to enjoy a long weekend of blues-themed concerts and activities. Its newest endeavor, Berks Summer Fest, is a free, two-day arts festival that welcomes the entire family to FirstEnergy Stadium for concerts and fun.
Reading Public Museum
500 Museum Rd, Reading, PA 19611
The Reading Public Museum has served the residents of Reading and Berks County for over 100 years. It began thanks to Dr. Levi Mengel, a teacher at Boys' High School in the Reading School District. He used his personal collection of antiquities to bring history to life for his students. As his collection grew, it was housed in a school district building. A generous donation to the school district from local industrialists moved the museum to its current location which includes a 25-acre arboretum and sculpture garden. Over the years, the Museum developed a world-class collection of more than 300,000 objects, including art, antiquities, scientific, and cultural artifacts, and even an Egyptian mummy. Neag Planetarium was added to the Museum’s campus in 1968 and offers star shows for young and old. The museum and the planetarium are open daily with a busy schedule of events that includes family and adult programming, camps, stem activities, touring exhibits, and lots of activities to enhance the lives of all it serves