Driving around and looking at holiday lights is an annual tradition for many. Kristy Barrett and her father, Rick Snyder, take that tradition to a whole new level.
Barrett, 43, shared that her father has been decorating each of his homes and front yards with lights for as long as she can remember.
“My dad would always decorate our city row home as a kid. Eventually, when I was old enough, I started doing my grandparents’ house,” says Barrett. “We moved out to Exeter/ Birdsboro, and he continued the tradition there. When I moved out on my own, I started it at each of my houses, including where I am today.”
Since continuing this family tradition, she has followed his footsteps in turning her lights on at 6pm nightly until around 9pm for the community and families to enjoy. They both keep their lights on all night on Christmas Eve.
“We typically start late October because the weather is nicer to do the Christmas lights,” says Barrett. “We are hoping my 4-year-old nephew, his grandson, will follow in our footsteps because he’s showing some signs with Halloween decorations.”
Lights on Philadelphia Terrace (Rick’s Home)
804 Philadelphia Terrace, Birdsboro
Lights on Elwyn
Ronald and Kerin DeCarlo are celebrating their 40th year showcasing their holiday light display to benefit the Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL). They decorate their home with 30,000 Christmas lights, a walkthrough Christmas Lane and numerous other displays. While donations are not required to enjoy the lights, they will be collecting monetary and food donations, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the ARL.
216 Elwyn Avenue, Sinking Spring | Facebook: Lights on Elwyn
Reading’s Christmas on the Mountain
Every year, the Hillside Playground on North 14th Street in the City of Reading transforms into a Christmas Wonderland featuring over a million lights thanks to the Reading High School Marine Corps JROTC. Visitors can enjoy the walk-through light display featuring Santa’s workshop, character experiences, habitats and a 4K immersive light show set to a combination of traditional and modern holiday music. The family-friendly and fun display also includes a free meet and greet with Santa. For a $5 donation, guests can get a photo with Santa.
459 N. 14th St., Reading | readingschristmasonthemountain.com
‘Twas the Lights Before Christmas
Join Calvary Bible Fellowship Church for the 12th year of the ‘Twas the Lights Before Christmas light show. The show features lights synchronized to music and runs every 15 minutes from 5-10pm each night during December. Visitors are welcome to stay and watch the show as many times as they want.
4891 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring | Facebook: thelightsbeforechristmas
Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill
The County of Berks is in its 36th season of bringing the community together to enjoy the Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill. With free parking and admission, visitors can stroll the grounds to view a glistening light display that highlights the historic buildings and landscaping at Gring’s Mill. After the walk-through light display, visitors can enjoy food and beverages from local food trucks, warm up next to the fire pit and listen to live music in the outdoor pavilion each night from 5:45 to 7:45pm. They can also get an up-close look at the model train display in the former generator station on the bridge. Santa will also make appearances throughout the month in his Christmas Tree Lane located in the barn, which is decorated by local organizations.
2083 Tulpehocken Rd., Wyomissing | berkspa.gov/departments/parks-andrecreation/berks-county-parks/grings-mill
