The official start of summer is just around the corner. It's time to firm-up travel plans and find fun weekend getaways. If you've got holes in your weekend plans, we can help. Our list of top things to do in summer in Pennsylvania’s Americana Region should help fill-in the voids in your weekend itineraries. There are festivals, races, and so many interesting ways to experience the history, diversity, and sights of Berks County. Attend one, some, or all of the suggestions on the list. Remember to check our Calendar of Events for additional ideas. Have fun!

Three musicians stand in front of a Berks Country Fest banner as they play their instruments, the guitar, bass and drums.Berks Country Fest
June 1 - 30
Venues across Berks County

Berks Country Fest is a month-long celebration of the heritage of our area. We are a regionrich in culture, music, arts and outdoor recreation. The festival is anchored by the Pretzel City Concert Series which is made up of concerts utilizing Berks County venues.  Events range from intimate showcases to festival-type atmospheres to shows featuring GRAMMY Award-winning performers. The Pretzel City Concert Series offers musical events for every taste

Decorative purposes onlyThe Truck Stops Here- Mobile Madness
June 29
Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles 

Foodies, be sure to add the 5th annual The Truck Stops Here - Mobile Madness day to your list of things to do in summer! Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles invites you to enjoy tasty cuisine from various food truck vendors while learning about the food trucks once manufactured at their location - the former Boyertown Auto Body Works. 

Kutztown Folk FestivalA man dressed in a blue and purple plaid shirt with a wide brimmed straw hat walks in front of the Funnel Cake Stand at the Kutztown Folk Festival in Berks County, PA
June 29 - July 7
Kutztown Fairgrounds

Did you know that America’s oldest folklife festival resides right here in Pennsylvania's Americana Region? Now in its 70th year, the Kutztown Folk Festival is a celebration of our PA Dutch heritage. The nine-day fest provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the culture and traditions of the PA Dutch through art, crafts (by 200 demonstrating craftsmen), food, demonstrations, music and more. 
Musician Liz Langley, hair flying and dressed in black against a white-gray background, looks to be running towards the camera.

Bandshell Concerts in the Park
Friday July 12, 19 & 26 
Reading City Park 

Berks Arts Council's annual free concert series in Reading City Park is back with more great entertainment. This year, attend musical performances by Christon "Kingfish" Ingram on July 12, Marc Berger and RIDE on July 19, and Liz Longley on July 26th. Is there anything better than fabulous music under the stars on a warm summer night? 

Decorative Purposes only

15th Annual Berks Celtic Fest
July 20
Willow Glen Park

Surround yourself with the sounds of lively pipes and drums while celebrating Celtic heritage! The 15th Annual Berks Celtic Fest is held by the Berks County Irish American Fraternal Association. The event features music, drinks, entertainment, and more. The Berks Celtic Fest is a wonderful place to experience a small sample of the diversity PA’s Americana Region offers.

A man stands in a wagon as he drives a team of work horses across an open field of grass. Step Back in Time Day
July 28
Berks County Heritage Center

Come experience the Heritage Center’s over 200-year history from when it was a working farm. See demonstrations and workshops throughout the day of old time crafts and hands-on activities including: Old Fashioned Games, Crafts, Demos & Displays.

Cyclists, attired in helmets and close fitting clothes, wait for a whistle to signal the start of their race along the streets of West Reading.Reading Radsport Festival
August 3 - 4
West Reading and Reading, PA

People of all ages are invited to attend and compete in the Reading Radsport Festival! Run or cycle your way through Reading while surrounded by supportive fans. All fans in attendance can indulge in live music, food, and beverage at this athletic festival.

A lemonade, decked out in yellow and orange striped canvas, sits along a wooded path at Muhlenberg RiverFest.Muhlenberg’s RiverFest
August 23 - 25
Jim Dietrich Park

Spend your weekend with friends and family at Jim Dietrich Park surrounded by live music, beer and wine gardens, Quoiting tournaments, food vendors, and the Schuylkill River! Muhlenberg’s RiverFest invites you finish your summer with fun. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets while enjoying this 3-day festival.

A beautiful cream and burgundy antique Packard sits on display at Boyertown Community Park. It is part of Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles' Duryea Day. 54th Annual Duryea Day
August 31
Boyertown Community Park

Duryea Day is a car, truck and motorcycle show that boasts over 600 display vehicles.  This year will be the 54th year for Duryea Day, which is held at Boyertown Community Park and produced by the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles. The event is always held the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend.

Seven men stand behind a table on the stage of Taste of Hamburg-er Festival. A plate of burgers sits in front of each man, which they are eating as they vie to win the Burger Eating Competition. 16th Annual Taste of Hamburg-er Fest
August 31
Hamburg, PA

The small town of Hamburg nearly quadruples in size each year for their Taste of Hamburg-er Festival. Held annually on the Saturday before Labor Day, burger lovers flock to the town for great food and tons of fun activities. Not to be missed are the Professional and Amateur Burger Eating Competitions. Do you have the makings of a burger eating champion? Attend and find out!

A man tends to the baskets filled with colorful hot peppers at his stand at the Bowers Chile Pepper Food Festival. 24th Annual Bowers Chile Pepper Food Festival
September 6 & 7
Bowers, PA 

Each September, Bowers, PA becomes the Hottest Town Around thanks to the Chile Pepper Food Festival. You will find everything imaginable made with peppers at the festival. Stands sell salsas, candies, hot sauces, even wine and whiskey made from hot peppers. Take a field excursions to a neighboring farm and pick your own peppers and tomatoes. Food, music, and the ever-popular salsa competition and pepper eating contest round out the fun.

Enjoy these top things to do in summer in our region. Believe it or not, there are still more outstanding things to do all around Berks County this summer but we will save that for another blog. For a full list of events in the region, check out our Calendar of Events.