The iconic Reading Pagoda will go dark for the next several months as a long-anticipated renovation project gets underway atop Mount Penn.
On Sunday evening, members of the Foundation for the Reading Pagoda gathered at the site for a final livestream before the lights were turned off. The lighting system, along with the Pagoda’s electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, will be fully overhauled as part of the city-led restoration effort. Scaffolding has already begun to go up around the building, and the Pagoda is now officially an active construction zone.
This marks the first time in two decades that the Pagoda’s lights have been shut off for such an extended period. In the early 2000s, the original neon lights were replaced with LEDs—a change that, at the time, also led to a period of darkness during the transition.
Foundation members said they hope the work will be completed by October, barring any unexpected issues. “The Pagoda isn’t going anywhere,” one board member said during the livestream. “It’s just undergoing the work it needs.”
In addition to the building’s internal systems, structural concerns will be addressed. The project is funded in part by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations.
The Foundation emphasized that the community can play an active role in shaping the Pagoda’s future. A public survey is available at ReadingPagoda.com, where residents can submit ideas for future use of the space.
Safety remains a major concern during construction. Board members urged visitors to be cautious, noting that contractors will be operating on-site daily and need room to work safely. The area may become increasingly dark in the evenings now that the Pagoda is unlit, and the public is advised to avoid visiting the site after hours.
Despite the temporary darkness, the Foundation is hopeful the lights will return in time for a beloved holiday tradition. “Part of the plan is to have the lights back on for Christmas Eve,” one member noted, referring to the tradition of blinking the Pagoda’s lights to signal Santa Claus’s arrival to children in Reading.
Once the renovation is complete, Foundation members said they anticipate unveiling new ideas and features for visitors in the spring of 2026.
For now, the Pagoda will remain closed to the public. The Foundation encourages residents to follow its social media accounts and website for construction updates, volunteer opportunities, and merchandise that helps support the preservation effort.