NORTH READING – The holiday season in North Reading officially kicks off with the 19th annual holiday Tree Lighting on the Common celebration on Sunday, December 1, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

This beloved community event, organized by the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce, promises a day filled with festive cheer, entertainment and family-friendly activities.

The celebration will feature a variety of attractions. Attendees can enjoy performances by local school music groups and dance studios, or have their pictures taken with any of the costumed characters.

There will also be opportunities to participate in a scavenger hunt, trolley rides, hayrides throughout the Center Village Historic District, face painting, and more. Delicious hot chocolate will be available for all to enjoy.

There is plentiful parking available at North Reading High School where a trolley car will shuttle attendees to the Common to enjoy all the festivities and to Reading Coop Bank where children can have their photographs taken with Santa.

Rabbi Asher Bronstein from Chabad Lubavitch in Andover will oversee the lighting of the menorah when lit temporarily as part of the community celebration.

Historic buildings also open

In addition to the Chamber events on the common, the 1720 Rev. Daniel Putnam House will be decorated for the holidays and open from 2-5 p.m. Enjoy the roaring fire by the 18th century hearth, tours, free homemade cookies, cider, and hot cocoa, music, and a display of vintage dollhouses. North Reading-themed merch will be available and a special treat will be provided to the children by Royal Air.

A live Nativity and manger scene, hosted by the town’s churches, will be showcased at the Putnam House Barn, accompanied by a petting zoo.

The buildings on the Putnam House property, which includes the Farm Museum, West Village Schoolhouse, Sgt. Flint House, First Meeting House and the Tin and Cobbler Shop, will be manned by the North Reading Minit and Militia and open to the public. Cider is available for free in the Sgt. Flint House and hot chocolate will be served in the Schoolhouse.

Next door to the Putnam property, carol singers will entertain visitors at the Damon Tavern. Guided tours of the tavern, including the ballroom and its world-famous Rufus Porter murals, will also be given, courtesy of the Friends of the Damon Tavern.

All three historic properties will have a “stamping location for the Tree Lighting passport the Chamber is putting together for the event,” said North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society President Matt Page.

Santa Claus arrives at 4 p.m.!

At 4 p.m, Santa Claus will make his way over from Reading Cooperative Bank and arrives by fire truck to light up the North Reading Town Common!

A community event like this doesn’t happen on its own. Since 2005, the Reading–North Reading Chamber of Commerce has organized the activities and paid the operational costs for entertainment, refreshments, police details and trolley shuttles. The Chamber also runs a Tree Lighting event in downtown Reading on the same day.

The Chamber thanks its local sponsors, volunteers, and community partners for the invaluable support that make this event possible. By shopping locally, residents help ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy this cherished tradition.

Special appreciation goes to Reading Cooperative Bank, the Signature Sponsor, which not only makes a large donation toward the event but also provides a warm setting where children can get their picture taken with Santa in person during the festivities. The Chamber is also grateful to the North Reading Transcript for their coverage of the events.

Community service hours

Students looking for community service hours may contact the Chamber to help out at this event! They need 5-10 volunteers who could be available for increments of two hours between noon and 6 p.m. to help set up the event, assist during the event or break down after the event. Please send an email to the Chamber at info@rnrchamber.com to sign up!

Lastly, the Chamber thanks the hundreds of families who turn out to help ring in the holiday season. This is what makes all the time and energy it takes to host a community event like this worthwhile.

The following list highlights the local companies whose sponsorships made this year’s celebration possible. Please remember these businesses while shopping and getting yourself ready for the holidays, as well as throughout the year.

SIGNATURE SPONSOR

Reading Cooperative Bank

GOLD SPONSORS

J. Griffin Heating & Plumbing, Service Pumping & Drain, and M.G. Hall, Inc.

HOT CHOCOLATE SPONSORS

Royal Air Systems, Dibiase Companies, Reading Lumber, The Farrelly Group-Coldwell Banker

PERFORMERS & FACE PAINTING SPONSORS
Austin Prep, Doyon’s Appliance, Metro Credit Union, PDA Dental Group, AllPeople, Amazon Robotics, Route 128 Honda, Salem Five, The Savings Bank, and Sweepnman

HAYRIDE SPONSOR

Latham Law Offices (hayride operated by M.G. Hall, Inc.)

BALLOON ANIMAL SPONSOR

Royal Health Meadowview

TROLLEY SPONSORS

Greater Boston Stage Company, Angelini Plastering, North Reading Transcript and Teradyne

CHARACTERS SPONSOR
Reading Gymnastics Academy

FRIENDS OF THE TREE LIGHTING SPONSORS

KM Beauty, North Reading School of Ballet, Reading Municipal Light Department

The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization committed to fostering economic growth and community development in North Reading and Reading. Through events like the Tree Lighting celebrations, North Reading Town Day, and Winterfest, the Chamber strives to create a vibrant and welcoming community for residents and businesses alike.