Centre Park Christmas House Tour returns next weekend
Dec. 4—After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Centre Park Historic District's Christmas House Tour, featuring 11 historic properties, returns next weekend.
This year's festivities will include the Moonlight House Tour featuring a catered cocktail party at a private residence on Saturday and a self-guided House Tour with optional brunch next Sunday. The tour will be the final event in celebration of the Centre Park Historic District's 40th anniversary.
The weekend begins with the VIP Moonlight Christmas House Tour on Saturday at 5 p.m. This limited-admission event allows visitors the opportunity to view residences when they are glowing with holiday spirit and the entire neighborhood is alive with light. Groups of 15-20 are treated to a customized tour led by local Centre Park residents with special insights and historical perspective of neighborhood and properties the tours pass by. Inside each property, guests meet with the homeowners to ask any questions they may have about their style and inspiration. After the tour, ticket holders will attend an exclusive cocktail party at a private residence along the tour.
The Christmas House Tour and Champagne Brunch follows on Sunday starting at 11 a.m., with owners, residents and neighborhood organizations opening their doors to the public to display late Victorian and early 20th Century architecture and stunning Christmas décor.
Tour-goers can start the day with a Champagne Brunch at the Inn at Centre Park. Diners have the option of several seating times: 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. A limited amount of brunch/combo tickets will be available the day of the event, so attendees are strongly encouraged to reserve in advance.
In addition to homes, visitors may also tour the Charles Evans Cemetery, Berks History Center, Calvary United Church of Christ and Stirling Guest Hotel, which are all decorated for the season.
The Centre Park Historic District Headquarters also will be fully decorated for visitors to the Artifacts Bank, where tourists can peruse a large inventory of architectural salvage. Also, at this location will be a Holiday Gift Market. Included in the ticket price, holiday refreshments will be available here as well.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.centreparkhistoricdistrict.org or by calling 610-375-7860. This event is rain or shine and advance tickets are non-refundable. Tickets cost $75 for the VIP Moonlight House Tour, $70 for the Champagne Brunch/Christmas House Tour Combo, $45 for Champagne Brunch only, and $30 in advance and $35 day of tour for the Christmas House Tour. Tickets will be available in the ticket tent located in Centre Park on the 700 block of Centre Avenue.
Free parking is available at First Energy Stadium, with free shuttle service to Centre Park.
All proceeds benefit the Centre Park Historic District Inc. whose mission is "To Promote Architectural Preservation and Enhance Neighborhood Living." These funds support District-funded neighborhood beautification projects and free neighborhood events all aimed to better the quality of life in Centre Park and the City of Reading.
This year's event is sponsored by our 40th Anniversary Celebration Corporate and Foundation Sponsors including Penske; Tompkins VIST Bank; Palange, Endres and Marks, PC, Attorneys at Law and Essig Plumbing and Heating.
