Free community festival coming to campus in May

A brand-new family-friendly festival will be hosted by the University of Reading on Saturday 13 May.

Taking place at the award-winning Whiteknights campus, the Community Festival will bring together University members and residents from across the town for a day of live music, theatre and performance, street food and a packed programme of hands-on activities for children and grown-ups to get involved with throughout the day.

Featuring multiple indoor and outdoor venues, this one-day event brings together local artists, performers, cultural organisations and food vendors, and will showcase some of the most fascinating research currently taking place at the University.

Professor Robert van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “Our first ever Community Festival is aimed at bringing together everyone in the area, including students, staff, alumni and their families, and local residents for a free one-day celebration of what makes Reading great: our diverse and welcoming community.

“As well as a full day of entertainment, visitors can explore our gardens, buildings and green spaces that make the University one of the UK’s leading centres for study and discovery. We are looking forward to welcoming lots of people across Reading to join us in this start of summer celebration for the whole community.”  

The first ever Community Festival on campus is organised by the University and Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU), in collaboration with partners from across the town.

In addition to performances from some of Reading’s talented local people, visitors can get active with a host of sports taster sessions and campus walks and tours, or have a bite to eat with friends in the meadows and stroll around the stunning Whiteknights lake.

Molli Cleaver, Community Relations Manager at the University, said: “We are committed to creating a University that positively benefits our local community and works in partnership to make an impactful contribution to the town and surrounding areas. 

“A lot of passionate Reading residents are creating this one-day festival that reaches further than ever before to invite our neighbours from across the town on to campus. Bring your friends. Bring your family, young and old. Bring your picnic blankets, and your dogs for a free festival celebrating Reading in our beautiful meadows.”

The full festival line-up will be announced in April.

Further information can be found on the University website.