2026 Centenary Celebrations
2026 is the University of Reading’s centenary year, marking 100 years since it was granted a Royal Charter.
To celebrate this momentous milestone, we have planned a vibrant programme of events - we’ll be hosting everything from festivals and lectures, to performances and exhibitions.
Studying at Reading during the centenary year offers you many opportunities to get involved in additional events and activities - keep an eye on this page throughout 2026 to find out what's coming up. We hope you enjoy celebrating the centenary with us!
Join in the Celebrations
On Tuesday 17 March 2026 the University of Reading officially reached our milestone of 100 years since we received our Royal Charter. And what a day of celebrations we had - from cake cutting with a sword, to free muffins, to a centenary photobooth, and the launch of our official Centenary merchandise and Centenary Wall of Wishes.
Take a look at some of the activity from the day on @uor_student Instagram
Centenary Wall of Wishes
What's a birthday without one giant birthday card? Take a look at our digital birthday messages and share your own at Centenary Wall of Wishes
Centenary Merchandise
Shop the collection now!
We’re proud to invite you to shop our official Centenary Collection with more than 350 designs across clothing, bags, bottles, notebooks and more. Made sustainably with Teemill and designed to be remade when they wear out - because turning 100 deserves something special.
Shop the collection: rdg.ac/merch
Then & Now
To celebrate 100 years of the University, we took a look back through the archives to see how campus used to look. With some of the photos dating back to the 1950s, a lot has changed over the years - but some things look surprisingly familiar! Take a look at how campus used to look vs how it looks today on our Then vs Now Instagram post.
Upcoming Centenary Events
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Centenary Heritage Tours Discover the University of Reading's rich history and heritage. Join us to uncover fascinating moments from our history, explore architectural gems, absorb the beauty of our green spaces and cherish the generations of voices who have studied, worked, lived and helped to inspire the university we know today. This is part of our Memories of the University of Reading Centenary Grant project. 19 February - 10 December 2026 |
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Centenary Community Festival 2026 Featuring live performances, fascinating research talks, sports taster sessions, delicious street food, and much more, our Centenary Community Festival, sponsored by Lloyds, is the place to be for all the family. Admission is free and everyone is welcome! Saturday 16 May 2026, 12:00 - 17:00 |
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Centenary Bioblitz A 24-hour event for the local community, nature groups, staff and students to record wildlife species on campus. This event will build upon ongoing quarterly Bioblitz events that we began this year. Anyone can participate in recording nature, but the bat walks and moth catching sessions require sign-ups. Check back for details. Saturday 16 May 2026, at the Community Festival |
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RAG Parade and Forbury Gardens Celebrations Our historic RAG Parade returns for an afternoon of live entertainment, stalls, and the chance to bring students and the community together to raise money for charity. The Parade starts at Broad Street Mall and ends with celebrations at Forbury Gardens. Admission is free and everyone is welcome! Sunday 17 May 2026, 12:00 - 17:00 |
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Sparks, Parks, Halls & Balls: 100 Years of Campus Life Sparks, Parks, Halls & Balls is a vibrant, site-specific celebration of 100 years of the University of Reading. Set on our Whiteknights Campus, this immersive promenade production invites audiences to journey through a century of student life. From the University's earliest days to the bustle of a 1950s common room, the energy and protest of the 1970s, and the unmistakable sounds of the 1990s - bringing past moments vividly into the present. This is an invitation to wander, listen and connect with the many voices that have shaped campus life. Inspired by in-depth interviews with students, staff, alumni and members of the local community, alongside discoveries from the University's archives, these real memories form the heart of an experience that celebrates community, creativity and impact. This is part of our Memories of the University of Reading Centenary Grant project. Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026 This event is now sold out. |
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Alumni Varsity Sports club alumni are invited back to relive their Wednesday afternoons, participating in a series of sports matches against current sports clubs. Everyone is welcome to come along and spectate on the day. Saturday 30 May 2026, 10:00 - 17:00 |
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Memoir Workshop This free workshop offers a gentle introduction to memoir writing. We will explore why we might choose to write about our lives, what can be lost when these stories aren't recorded, and how to begin writing when you're not sure where to start. Check back for booking details. 6 June, 13:30 - 16:00 |
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100 For 100 Music The University of Reading is an exciting place for making music. This year, to celebrate our centenary, we're launching 100 for 100: 100 gigs, events, and groups you can join throughout 2026. Programme currently runs until the end of May and will be updated as more events are confirmed. |
| Celebrating the Uniquely Green: 100 Years of Botany
For our centenary year, the finals of Botanical University Challenge 2026 are coming to Reading. The events will celebrate the influential role of botany teaching and research at Reading during the past century, and our alumni who have made significant contributions worldwide. The live semi-final and final will be at University of Reading on Wednesday 19 August 2026 to celebrate 10 years of Botanical University Challenge and as part of the University’s centenary celebrations. You can get involved by voting for the best team name, which will be announced at the final on 19 August. |
Outdoor Learning Garden
To mark our centenary year, we are creating an Outdoor Learning Garden that will benefit University students, local school children and neighbouring community groups, both now and as a legacy for the future.
The Garden celebrates our role as a leading climate science and environmental research institution and will provide a focal point for our outdoor learning activities.
Find out more about our celebratory events, the University's history and our centenary stories.