Frequently asked questions

To celebrate the University of Reading’s centenary year, we have expanded our celebrations to span a full weekend of activities.

The celebrations will begin on 16 May with the Community Festival – our much-loved annual event. Taking place on the Whiteknights campus, the festival brings together local residents, students, alumni, community groups, and businesses for a vibrant day filled with music, activities, stalls, street food, and research-inspired talks.

The celebrations continue on 17 May with the return of the historic RAG Parade and a lively programme of entertainment and activities in Forbury Gardens in the heart of Reading.

This expanded weekend promises to be one of the highlights of our centenary year – bringing people together to celebrate 100 years of connection, innovation, and community.

We’re celebrating the University of Reading’s centenary year with a packed two-day festival this May, including our annual Community Festival.

Day one: Community Festival

Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights campus

Date: Saturday 16 May 2026

Time: 12:00 to 17:00

Admission: free

Featuring live music, fascinating research talks, sports taster sessions, delicious food and drink, and much more, our Community Festival, this year sponsored by Lloyds, is the perfect day out for all the family.

Day two: RAG Parade and Forbury Gardens

Date: Sunday 17 May 2026

Location: Parade to start at Broad Street Mall and leading to Forbury Gardens

Time: 12:00 to 17:00

Admission: free

Starting at 12:00 outside Broad Street Mall, the parade will move down Broad Street, across Market Place and into Forbury Gardens. Join us along the route to watch this exciting spectacle, and maybe even join the parade yourself!

In Forbury Gardens, the celebrations continue with an afternoon of live music, dance and spoken word across three stages, plus interactive stalls and delicious food.

No. The festival is free to attend for everyone.

We encourage everyone to pre-register to receive information about the festival in advance, but you do not need a ticket. On the day of the event, we invite you to register at one of our information points.

Everyone is welcome – including local residents, students, staff, families, visitors, and community groups.

The festival includes a huge range of activities for all age ranges and abilities. Some examples of things you may find at the festival are:

• live music and performances in our big top stage
• international food market
• a range of local businesses, charities and stall holders 
• interactive workshops, activities and sports 
• research showcases and talks
• family-friendly entertainment and outdoor fun.

Throughout the Centenary Community Festival weekend, we will be hosting exclusive alumni activities, including a lunch reception, pub quiz, and afternoon tea.

All alumni are welcome at these events, offering the chance to reminisce over shared history and celebrate the centenary together.

Find out more about the alumni activities on offer and register your place.

For more information, please contact alumni@reading.ac.uk.

Explore our zones, marketplaces, music stage, workshops and talks via our festival map and programme.

Please note that filming and photography by the University of Reading videographers will be taking place throughout the event. If you have any questions, please contact communityfestival@reading.ac.uk or speak to one of our team members on the day.

If you become separated from your child at any point, please go directly to the information point on the Palmer Quad, where our staff will help you.

If you have lost property, please speak to a member of staff at our information tent on Palmer Quad. They will take some details and keep a record of the item(s) and/or check if it has already been handed in.

If you have a piece of lost property, please return this to our information tent on Palmer Quad, where a staff member will keep a record of it and take some details.

After the event, if you have an enquiry about lost property, please contact communityfestival@reading.ac.uk.

There will be a variety of food and drink available on campus. Whether you want to grab a quick drink between workshops or fully refuel while watching one of the live acts, we’ve got a wide range of delicious food and drink options available on the day to suit all appetites.

You can find more information about accessibility on our dedicated accessibility page.

All buildings have fire detection equipment and fire alarms. If you hear a fire alarm, please evacuate the building by the nearest exit and move away from the area. University staff will take control of the emergency.

It is prohibited to smoke in any University building, and no smoking is allowed in or within ten metres of any building on campus.

Dogs are welcome to Community Festival, but must remain on a lead at all times. However, dogs are prohibited from entering any of the buildings unless they are a registered service dog.

Alternatively, our contact address is Events Office, University of Reading Whiteknights, PO Box 217, Reading RG6 6AH.

Visit the University of Reading events and festival webpages, and follow official University social media for updates, programme announcements, and practical information.

X: /uniofreading  | Facebook: /theuniversityofreading | Instagram: @uniofreading  | Tiktok: @uniofreading 

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