Reading Roots Night Market
Every Third Thursday, June – September
5pm-8pm
About the Night Market
The Reading Roots Night Market transforms GoggleWorks into a vibrant evening celebration of art, music, food, and community on the third Thursday of every month from 5–8PM. Held throughout the summer, the Night Market offers a lively after-hours atmosphere featuring artisanal vendors, local artists, handmade goods, live performances, and food from Thorn Alley Kitchen.
Guests can explore a rotating lineup of creative vendors while enjoying live music and entertainment in the heart of downtown Reading. Featured performances include Soul Papi and the all-caps SWAMPRAT Cypher Series, bringing high-energy live music to the market from 7–8PM.
Perfect for a summer night out with friends or family, the Reading Roots Night Market combines creativity, culture, shopping, and entertainment into one unique community experience. Each market features new vendors, new energy, and new opportunities to connect with local artists and makers while enjoying one of Reading’s most creative evenings.
Vendors
Explore a rotating lineup of local artists, makers, and artisanal vendors at the Reading Roots Night Market. From handmade goods and artwork to unique finds and creative products, every market brings something new to discover while supporting local small businesses and creatives.
Entertainment
The Soul Papi & SWAMPRAT Cypher Series brings together local and regional artists for an energetic live showcase of hip hop, poetry, freestyle, and spoken word. Led by Soul Papi and featured artists, the series creates a space for creative expression, collaboration, and community through powerful live performances and raw lyrical talent. Expect high energy, crowd interaction, and an unforgettable atmosphere at every Night Market starting at 7pm (July 16th the Cypher Series will be replaced by Chris Kasper w/ La OverToner).
Soul Papi, born John Zabala in Reading, PA, is a Rapper, Poet, and Producer whose artistry reflects the duality of his Afro-Dominican upbringing. Influenced by bachata, jazz, Quiet Storm, and hip hop, he has developed a sound that blends jazz and R&B smoothness with the raw honesty of Conscious East Coast Hip Hop.
His career began with an opening performance for PnB Rock in 2016, followed by the release of his debut album Ready to Fly in 2023. Since then, he has been recognized as a Poet Laureate finalist, featured in the SWAMPRAT Cypher on WITF, awarded a Berks Arts Council grant, and opened for Grammy-nominated artist Musiq Soulchild in 2025.
Currently working on his upcoming album Asención (2026), Soul Papi continues creating music rooted in storytelling, memory, and cultural tradition while building opportunities for fellow artists and immersive experiences for fans.
SWAMPRAT brings genre-bending sounds, live beatmaking, and raw cypher energy that keeps audiences locked in from start to finish. Known for immersive performances and collaborative creativity, SWAMPRAT adds an experimental edge to the night that perfectly matches the spirit of the Cypher Series.
FAQ
Free parking available on site; for overflow parking there is a pay to park lot on 120 Washington St, Reading, PA 19601
Interesting in supporting the market? Reach out to ReadingRoots@goggleworks.org
Reading Roots Market is made possible by the support of
