Skip to main content

Reading Water Fest 2023

We’re celebrating 34 wonderful Water Fest years with a programme full of fun, music, dance and activities.

Water Fest is Reading’s way of celebrating and showing off the Kennet Canal in all its glory, along with the gorgeous and historic spots on its towpath.

Visitors can take in the sights and sounds as they wander through Chestnut Walk, Forbury Gardens, and the Abbey Ruins.

En route you’ll see some beautifully painted boats and meet some of the  friendly boaters keen to chat to you about life on board.

Water Fest is brought to you by Reading Borough Council, in partnership with the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. This hard-working charity is committed to enhancing and promoting the canal for people to enjoy – both on and off the water!

    Performance and Activity Timetable

    On The Water

    • 12:15 - Arrival of the Mayor
    • 13:00 - Boat Parade #1
    • 14:00 - Devizes to Westminster Race demonstration (TBC)
    • 15:00 - Boat Parade #2
    • 16:00 - Roy McFarlane Poetry Performance
    • 16:20 - Duck Race

    Acoustic Stage

    • 11:20 - Windsong
    • 12:10 - Ewan Miller
    • 13:00 - The Small Strings
    • 13:50 - Aldbrickham Clog & Step Dancers
    • 14:45 - RASPO
    • 15:35 - Praise Lubangu
    • 16:25 - Bengali Cultural Association

    Reading Global Festival Stage

    • 11:30 - The Bluepers
    • 12:30 - Twenty06
    • 13:20 - 4Fingaz
    • 14:10 - Bulmershe Ensemble
    • 15:15 - Nicole Allan
    • 16:15 - Limpopo Groove

    Floating Stage

    • 11:30 - Robert Steven Hunt
    • 12:30 - Hugh Turner Jazz Quartet
    • 13:30 - Live Looper
    • 14:30 - The Stretch
    • 15:30 - Sounds of the Ukraine
    • ​​​​​​​16:30 - Arash Sholouhi

    Jelly Workshops

    • 11:00 - Weaving - Mel Nabarro
    • 11:15 - Sewing with Kate Powell
    • 11:30 - Photography & Cartographic Journey with John Anderson
    • 12:00 - Weaving - Mel Nabarro
    • 12:15 - Sewing with Kate Powell / Illustration with Linda Newcombe
    • 12:30 - Photography & Cartographic Journey with John Anderson
    • 13:00 - Photography & Cartographic Journey with John Anderson
    • 13:15 - Illustration with Linda Newcombe
    • 13:45 - Weaving - Mel Nabarro
    • 14:00 - Sewing with Kate Powell
    • 14:15 - Photography & Cartographic Journey with John Anderson
    • 14:45 - Weaving - Mel Nabarro
    • 15:00 - Sewing with Kate Powell / Illustration with Linda Newcombe
    • 15:15 - Photography & Cartographic Journey with John Anderson
    • 16:00 - Weaving - Mel Nabarro / Illustration with Linda Newcombe
    • 16:15 - Sewing with Kate Powell

    See the full programme

    For more information

    This event has already taken place.

    See What's on

    Details

    Type: Children , Community & Networking , Family-Friendly , Festivals & Special Events , Natural Heritage
    Accessibility:
    Host: Reading Borough Council

    Forbury Gardens, Reading Abbey Ruins, Chestnut Walk and Riverside Walk

    Share this page

    Reading On Thames Festival 2018

    We suggest

    The Hexagon South Street The Concert Hall at Reading Town Hall Partner Venues A-Z Just added Latest news Podcast Get Involved Help / Contact Us

    Choose a type

    Art & Exhibitions Cabaret & Variety Children Classical Comedy Community & Networking Dance DJ & Clubbing Family-Friendly Festivals & Special Events Film Food & Drink History & Heritage Interactive & Games LGBTQ+ Music Natural Heritage Online Spoken & Written Word Teens & Young Adults Theatre Tours & Walks

    Choose a time

    Choose a date

    Activities & Classes

    Looking for something to do, rather than something to see? We've got all manner of classes and workshops, plus games, escape rooms and other interactive activities. There's something for everyone, from dance, to arts and crafts, to food and drink and the odd bit of geekery, too!

    See all