Cultural Celebrations

Global Study Lounge Affiliated Campus and Community Events

A wide variety of cultural celebrations take place throughout the year across our campuses and within the community. Staff and students, student societies and faith groups, and members of the local communities where our campuses are based work together to create opportunities to celebrate, and learn about, the wealth of diversity around us. We aim to highlight and signpost cultural events organised by members of the communities they represent, providing you with opportunities to experience cultural celebrations and traditions directly from those who know and live them both on campus and within the wider community.

Many larger celebrations, including Diwali, Navruz, Ramadan, and Lunar New Year, take place outside the Lounge so that as many people as possible can participate. Events may be held in venues such as in the Palmer Building, Reading Students' Union, at Eat at the Square, or elsewhere in the town and wider community.

 

Discover Cultural Celebrations

Want to discover more cultural celebrations and international observances throughout the year? Explore Reboot the Future's Global Days Calendar for a month-by-month guide to celebrations, awareness days, and events from around the world.

Join our 'Global Study Lounge and International Student mailing list' to hear about campus and community cultural celebrations, activities, and events when they happen.   

See the videos below for examples of cultural celebrations taking place on campus and in Reading each year. You can also find information about the annual 'Reading International Festival', Reading's 'Carnival of the World' and the annual 'Heritage Open Days' Festival (known in London as the 'Open House' Festival).  

 

Annual University Chinese New Year Celebrations hosted by staff and students from the Department of Languages and Cultures, International Student Advisory Team, Community Engagement Team and Reading Students' Union. 

 

 

Student Navruz Celebrations collaboratively hosted by the Central Asian Society, International Society, Turkish Society, and Iranian Society. 

 

 

 

Community Diwali Celebrations in Reading hosted by Kala the Arts.

Annual Reading University Diwali Ball hosted by students from the NHSF Hindu and Tamil and Mallu societies.

Annual Reading Diwali Festival hosted by Art Celebration.

 

 

University Ramadan Community Iftar held in partnership with the Dialogue Society. 

Find out more about the event on the University's News pages. 

 

 

Reading GLOW Lantern Parade - Held as a 'Love and Light' parade for St. Valentine's Day.

 

 

Annual Holi 'Festival of Colours' Celebrations hosted by students from the NHSF Hindu society.

Reading International Festival

Reading International Festival is a season of events held each autumn that celebrate Reading’s diverse communities and action groups. The programme highlights the many internationalist activities, twinning links and solidarity in Reading, and showcases positive examples of people changing the status quo by choosing to live and act to create a better world for all.

Organised by the Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC), the festival includes Black History Month and One World Week events. 

Download the 2025 programme to find out more about the most recent Reading International Festival. 

 

Reading's Carnival of the World

 

Early each August CultureMix Arts hosts an annual showcase event celebrating diversity with a live stage and the 'Broad Street Parade' of carnival costumes.

The afternoon-long free event takes place in Broad Street Reading and showcases music, dance, and costumes from Africa, Asia, South America, Europe and The Caribbean. Watch the video below to get a taste of the carnival!

The carnival features a range of local and international artists, including Global Grooves, Lord B, RASPO, Harmonie Deja, Max Da Cab Driver, Beatroots, Lost in Paradise Mas Band, Gerry Ranks, Kaago, Jazzrobeat Collective and many more.

See the CultureMix Arts website for more details about this year's edition of the carnival. 

 

Heritage Open Days

Heritage Open Days are free and is an annual festival of the United Kingdom's history and culture. Taking place each September, hundreds of volunteers organize free events and provide access to places usually closed to the public or those that normally charge an entrance fee.

This year's Heritage Open Days are taking place between 11 and 20 September 2026 and the optional theme is 'Everyday Histories'.

Discover buildings from synagogues to stately country houses - events across the country allow you to explore hidden historical buildings and cultural sites. Its a chance to discover hidden local histories, explore secret spaces, learn about historical architecture, and experience community celebrations through walks, talks, and tours.

You can find detailed listings and search for events in your area on the Heritage Open Days website. NB: A similar event takes place during the same period in London called the 'Open House Festival'.