Latest news

Berkshire Music Trust appointed to lead Berkshire Music Hub

Appointed by Arts Council England, the Berkshire Music Hub will deliver high quality music education accessible to all children and young people in West Berkshire, Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Windsor & Maidenhead and Slough through diverse partnerships between educational, creative and community organisations, in their local communities and throughout the county. 

• Find out more

Launchpad’s Big Sleep Out is back

Launchpad, Reading’s leading homelessness charity is asking people to swap their comfortable bed for a night under the stars to ensure others in Reading don’t have to. On the 6 July, the Big Sleep Out will take place in the University of Reading Whiteknight’s campus. All money raised from this event will help people from across Reading avoid homelessness.

• Find out more

Support Acts Announced For elbow At Heritage Live 2024

As anticipation builds for elbow's highly anticipated concert at Englefield Estate Sunday, July 21st as part of Heritage Live 2024, organisers have unveiled two remarkable support acts set to grace the stage alongside the acclaimed multi-platinum-selling Manchester band.

• Find out more

The Duke Of Edinburgh Visits Reading Rep Theatre

On Monday 22nd April, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited Reading Rep Theatre. This visit holds particular significance as Reading Rep received his Royal Patronage in October 2022, acknowledging the venue's pivotal role within the local arts scene and their impactful community work.

• Find out more

Reading Rep Theatre Announce This Year’s Festive Show

Following the sell-out success of their last three Christmas seasons, Reading Rep Theatre has announced that their 2024 winter production will be a new production of The Snow Queen by Anna Wheatley, which will run from Friday 29 November to Tuesday 31 December. And this year they are delighted to introduce a Split Ticket system, helping you pay for your Christmas tickets in two instalments.

• Find out more

Curtain up at New Studio Theatre a step closer after planning application approved

Reading audiences will have the best seats in the house after plans to breathe life into the Hexagon by adding a new studio theatre have been approved by the Council. Reading Borough Council’s plans include a striking new accessible public entrance with a welcoming public area and flexible community space. Behind the new front door, a new studio auditorium is set to be built with a capacity of up to 300.

• Find out more

Readipop Festival 2024 – Day Tickets & Second Line-Up Announcement

Readipop Festival, which takes place by the banks of the River Thames in Christchurch Meadows (10 mins walk from Reading Station) between Friday 12th and Sunday 14th July, has now announced who will be playing on each day of the festival and made limited day tickets available.

• Find out more

32 creative projects in Reading receive Seed Fund grants from Creative Lives

Creative Lives, in partnership with Reading Borough Council, is proud to announce the full list of Seed Fund grants to support creative activities and encourage residents to feel connected to Reading. They awared 32 grants totalling £28,300, part of Reading Borough Council’s commitment to provide opportunities for everyone to get involved in creative activities where they live and enhance community engagement. 

• Find out more

Sneak preview of award-winning independent Reading bar Milk’s new design

Popular independent Reading bar Milk, winner of the Pride of Reading 2023 Hospitality Award, has teamed up with local interior design company MacGregor Studio to give the venue a full refresh. Milk, which recently celebrated 12 years since their opening, will reopen to the public with a new look, new cocktail menu, new staff and a new sound system as Milk’s founder Tim Hooper gets back behind the wheel.

• Find out more

Reading Walks Festival 2024 programme announced

REDA, Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency, has announced the programme for Reading Walks Festival 2024. Following on from last year’s successful inaugural festival, the 2024 festival will see almost 50 guided walks take place across nine days in May. The festival is suitable for all ages and walking ability with walks ranging in length from a one-hour wellbeing stroll to a two-day pilgrimage.

• Find out more

Original Theatre and Reading Rep Theatre Announce "The Importance Of Being Oscar Wilde"

Micheál Mac Liammóir’s renowned play The Importance of Being Oscar returns to the stage following huge critical acclaim. Told in the shadows of Reading Gaol, where Wilde was imprisoned, the strictly limited run will immerse audiences in a compelling journey through the loves and losses, successes and struggles of the iconic man - from the eccentric socialite to the imprisoned outcast.

• Find out more

Broader smiles than ever on Broad Street for Launchpad's Pancake Race

A total of £8,500 (so far!) has been raised at Launchpad’s annual Pancake Race which saw 34 teams brave the weather and batter it out on Broad Street, celebrating Shrove Tuesday. The money raised by all the amazing teams will help fund Launchpad’s vital services across Reading. Helping people who are homeless, or at risk of losing their home.

• Find out more

£13.7 million project to revitalise Hexagon Theatre reaches first major milestone

The ambitious Hexagon Theatre project will see the creation of an attractive, flexible and exciting new space for performances and community use. The Council today (Wednesday 12 July) announced the official appointment of the internationally renowned professional team who will support this major project moving forward.

• Find out more

Reading Flies the Purple Flag Again in 2023

Reading town centre businesses are officially celebrating after receiving news that its vibrant night-time economy (ENTE) has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation. The award, which is similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.

• Find out more

Council Successful in Bid to Revitalise Hexagon and Central Library

READING Council has been awarded £19.1 million to revitalise Reading’s cultural offer by transforming the much-loved Hexagon Theatre and building a modern new Central Library. The Council is one of a number of local authorities to be awarded the money as part of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ funding pot, announced yesterday (Jan 18).

• Find out more

Hours of taped talks with Samuel Beckett get new home

Private recordings of playwright, novelist and poet Samuel Beckett, hidden away for three decades, have been donated to the University of Reading’s Beckett archive, the largest collection of materials relating to the Nobel prize-winning author in the world.

• Find out more

Reading Council wins prestigious national accolade for Reading Arts & Venues

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL’S Sports, Leisure and Cultural Service team has been announced as the winner at the APSE, Association for Public Service Excellence Service Awards.

The national awards recognises the best and most innovative local authorities, focusing on the delivery of frontline services and seeks to celebrate those councils who are achieving excellent results in a wide range of different service areas.

• Find out more