The University of Reading is working with Reading Climate Action Network, Reading’s Economic and Development Agency, and Reading Borough Council on this year's programme. It features live and online events to inspire action on climate change.
Reading Climate Festival 2023 has now finished. Thank you to everyone who participated. This page will soon be updated with highlights from the Festival events and activities.
Reading Climate Festival
10–21 June 2023
Luke Jerram's Gaia
10–18 June 2023
Experience Luke Jerram's world-famous Gaia, an immersive art installation featuring a huge representation of Planet Earth, floating within Reading's iconic Concert Hall.
Featuring a compelling soundscape from BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones, Gaia is a visual representation of the fragility and beauty of the earth.
In conversation with Laura Tobin
Tuesday 13 June 2023
Everyday Ways to Save our Planet
Climate Ambassador, Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, University of Reading Alumna, and broadcast meteorologist Laura Tobin has been campaigning to raise awareness of climate change for the past 10 years.
Join us with a backdrop of the awe-inspiring Gaia installation to hear more about Laura’s experience and her practical advice on ways a busy household can make the small changes that add up to a big difference for the planet.
Alok Sharma introduces panel debate
Thursday 15 June 2023
Empowering young people to tackle the greatest challenge of their generation
Climate change is the defining crisis of our generation, and it will be the lived reality for generations to come.
Join The Rt Hon. Sir Alok Sharma, Tom Clarke (Sky News) and a panel of climate experts for a lively debate on how to better enable and empower young people to tackle the challenges of the changing climate and decline in the natural world.
Climate Festival events
| Date | Event and booking link | Venue | Ticket price |
| Sat 10 - Sun 18 June, Various | Luke Jerram's Gaia + exhibition | Reading Town Hall | £2/Free |
| Sat 10 June, 12:00 | Kidical Mass Bike Ride | Thames Lido to Water Fest | Free |
| Sat 10 & Sun 11 June, 11:00 | Water Fest | Forbury Gardens | Free |
| Sat 10 June, 18:00 | Green Park Wind Turbine Tour | Green Park | Free |
| Sat 10- Sun 11 June 11:00-18:00 | Whiteknights Studio Trail | Museum of English Rural Life | Free |
| Mon 12 - Tue 20 June, Various | Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop | TBA | Free |
| Mon 12 June, 18:00 | Creativity, the Climate and Me | Online | Free |
| Mon 12 June, 19:00 | Rewilding for Biodiversity and Climate Resiliance | Online | Free |
| Mon 12 June, 20:00 | Reducing Energy Bills by Creating Warmer Homes | Online | Free |
| Tue 13 June, 09:00 | Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop | TBA | Free |
| Tue 13 June, 11.00 | Our Green Stories Tour | Museum of English Rural Life | Free |
| Tue 13 June, 17:00 | Low Carbon Retrofitting Homes | Online | Free |
| Tue 13 June, 18:00 | Green Park Wind Turbine Tours | Green Park | Free |
| Tue 13 June, 19:00 | Everyday Ways to Save our Planet: In Conversation with Laura Tobin | Reading Concert Hall | Free |
| Wed 14 June, 13:00 | Climate Anxiety Workshop | Reading Central Library | Free |
| Wed 14 June, 14:00 | Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop | TBA | Free |
| Wed 14 Jun, 14:00 | Institute of Education Showcase for Climate and Sustainability Education | UoR London Road campus | Free |
| Wed 14 June, 19:30 | Fashion Re-imagined: Film and Q&A | Reading Biscuit Factory | Free |
| Wed 14 June, 20:00 | Warm Homes for Reading Campaign | Online | Free |
| Thu 15 June | Clean Air Day | ||
| Thu 15 June, 08:30 | Net Zero Reporting Fundamentals | Crowe UK | Free |
| Thu 15 June, 12:30 | Protect Your Small Business from Climate Change | Online | Free |
| Thu 15 June, 13:00 | Gentle Yoga and Gaia Gong Bath Journey | Reading Concert Hall | £15:00, £10.00 |
| Thu 15 June, 20:00 | Empowering young people to tackle the greatest challenge of their generation: Panel Debate | Reading Concert Hall | Free |
| Thu 15 June, 20:00 | Converting Heating Systems to Heat Pumps | Online | Free |
| Fri 16 June, 13:00 | Ray Mears: The World Around Us | Reading Concert Hall | £15.00 |
| Fri 16 June, 13:30 | Wild Things Workshop | Town Hall Square | Free |
| Sat 17 June, 10:30 | Rhyme Time: Teddies Music Club | Reading Concert Hall | Free |
| Sat 17 June, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 | Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Junk Instrument Making | Reading Concert Hall | Free |
| Sat 17 June, 14:15 | Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Junk Samba Band | Reading Concert Hall | Free |
| Sat 17 June, 15:00 | Reading Climate Festival Parade | Market Place | Free |
| Sun 18 June, 10:00 | Explore Reading's Kennet Meadows | TBA | Free |
| Sun 18 June, 12:30 | Reading Repair Café | Hackspace, Weldale Street | Free |
| Sun 18 June, 12:00 | Incredible Edible Reading | TBA | Free |
| Mon 19 June, 09:00 | Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop | TBA | Free |
| Mon 19 June, 19.15-20.15 | Green Park Wind Turbine Tour | Green Park | Free |
| Tue 20 June, 09:00 | Sustainability in the Built Environment - School Workshop | TBA | Free |
| Tue 20 June, 10:00 | An 'A' for Effort: How Reading made the 'A' List for Climate Action | Online | Free |
| Tue 20 June, 16:00 | Climate Education Workshop | Online | Free |
| Tue 20 June, 17:00 | Decarbonising Energy in Reading | Online | Free |
| Tue 20 June, 19:00 | Green Party Forum | RISC | Free |
| Wed 21 June | Show Your Stripes Day | ||
| Wed 21 June, 08:00 | Show Your Stripes Day - Youth Climate Summit | Select Car Leasing Stadium | Free |
| Wed 21 June, 18:00 | The Beginning | The MERL | Free |
| Wed 21 June, 19:00 | Fungi on the Allotment | Online | Free |