Pennsylvania’s Americana Region’s summer of fun is here! Join us as we celebrate the diverse heritage and traditions of Berks County all season long. Learn about some of our favorite festivals right here!
Kempton Fair
Take-in all the fun of the Kempton Fair, June 17 through June 19, 2021. The fair is held annually on the third weekend of June by the Kempton Community Center and features everything you would expect to find at an old-fashioned country fair. There are livestock exhibits, ribboned baking contests, truck and tractor pulls, line-dancing, fireworks and a midway filled with rides, games, food, vendors, and more. It is the largest fundraiser held by the Community Center, a non-profit volunteer organization that provides recreation and events for the Kempton community and surrounding areas.
West Reading's Art on the Avenue
June 19, 2021 marks a wonderful day for the arts in West Reading, PA — the 27th Annual Art on the Avenue celebration! This premiere art and music festival typically draws over 15,000 visitors eager to enjoy the works of local and regional artists, musicians, and other talents showcased throughout the day. The free festival spans four pedestrian-friendly blocks of Penn Avenue and boasts close to 150 vendors, including food and drink stands.
The Kutztown Folk Festival
Each year, visitors from near and far descend upon the picturesque town of Kutztown, PA, to attend the Kutztown Folk Festival. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the oldest folklife festival in America will be held virtually from June 26 through July 4, 2021. In the weeks leading up to the event, festival organizers will focus on virtual engagement. Updates from many of the event's colorful craftsmen, entertainers, and long-time participants will be posted on social media throughout the week, as well as archived videos, photos, and stories from prior years.
Thankfully, the 73rd Kutztown Folk Festival plans to return live in 2022, complete with the authentic folklife demonstrations; PA Dutch food; juried folk artists and American artisans; locally handmade quilts (on display and for sale); entertainment; music and dancing; and children's activities that make the festival so popular.
Summer Wine Festival at Bear Creek
Wine lovers, don’t miss the Summer Wine Festival at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Sunday, July 18,2021. Participating wine and food vendors provide festival attendees with tasty samples to savor while enjoying the outdoor live music. Additionally, each guest will receive a commemorative wine tasting glass and access to the event’s exclusive Wine Check service!
Participating wineries include Antler Ridge Winery, A'dello Winery, King Cole Winery, Stonekeep Meadery, Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, Sleepy Cat Urban Winery, Kulpmont Winery, while participating food vendors include Babanonna, Got Chocolate, Conebella Farm, Clover Creek Cheese Cellar, Green Kamikozees, Fathead Peppers, Jim Thorpe House of Jerky, Keystone Farms, Sugar 'n Spice, and Bespoke Bacon.
Berks Jazz Fest
The 30th Annual Berks Jazz Fest is a new and temporary addition to our summer festival line-up. Usually held in the spring, the musical happening will take place August 13 through August 22, 2021. This year’s event is headlined by incredibly talented musicians, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Jonathan Butler, Chris Botti, Wynton Marsalis, Brian Culbertson, to name a few.
Berks Jazz Fest will feature over 130 free and ticketed concerts for Reading, PA and Berks county residents and visitors to enjoy. Experience exceptional performances covering the entire spectrum of Jazz, Blues, and R&B this year at the 30th annual Berks Jazz Fest!
Reading Pride Festival
Reading Pride Festival is a celebration of diversity in the LGBTQ+ community of Greater Reading. The event is committed to spreading diversity, equity, and inclusion by building a community that embraces and supports differences and seeks to eliminate racial oppression, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism from everyday culture. This year’s event takes place on Sunday, August 22, 2021 in Reading’s Centre Park from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Muhlenberg River Fest and Spring Fiesta
Head to Muhlenberg Township’s RiverFest on August 28 and August 29. The annual event is quickly becoming one of the Berks County Area’s premier food and music festivals. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Schuylkill River, the festival is held at Jim Dietrich Park. Bring a blanket or chairs so you can take in the scenery as you enjoy the day’s various musical acts.
Taste of Hamburg-er Festival
Head to Hamburg, PA on Saturday, September 4, 2021 to experience one of Berks County’s most tantalizing events. The Taste of Hamburg-er Festival transforms the town of Hamburg into a burger lovers’ dream (and a cow’s nightmare) for one day each year. Now in its 18th year, the fest invites guests to delight in the traditional and outlandish burger creations of over 30 stands.
As the heavenly smell of burgers fills the air, enjoy the all the event’s offerings - five stages of non-stop musical entertainment, local art and handmade crafts stands, kids activities, and food eating competitions. You may arrive hungry, but you’re sure to leave the Taste of Hamburg-er Festival full!
Chile Pepper Food Fest
Some like it hot. Others like it hotter. Thankfully, it’s soon time for hot pepper lovers to fire up their taste buds and count Scoville units in preparation for the Chile Pepper Food Festival in On September 10 &11, 2021. William DeLong Memorial Park and neighboring Meadow View Farm in Bowers, PA will be jumping with people sampling sauces, salsas, and sweet and savory delights infused with peppery heat from participating vendors. Don’t miss the pepper eating contest and salsa contests, or a field excursion to pick your own heirloom tomatoes and chile peppers.
Oley Valley Fair
The 74th Annual Valley Fair offers more old-time fun September 16, 17, and 18, 2021.
Known for its famous French fries, hamburgers, traditional PA Dutch cooking, and much more, the Oley Valley Fair is an annual event where volunteers, friendly competitions, exhibitors entering local produce, and more, gather to show the best of everything the Oley Valley, PA community has to offer.
It’s going to be a busy summer filled with fun and interesting events in Pennsylvania’s Americana Region! We hope you make time to attend one or all of the festivals we love! Contact us today to learn more about upcoming events, great places to eat, shop, and spend the night in the beautiful community of Reading and Berks County.