What's On Reading

Poster with comedian Ed Gamble wearing a fringed country-and-western suit and bootlace tie, flanked by cardboard blue flames

What Fresh Hell is this?
Ed Gamble, everyone’s annoying cousin, is back on tour in 2027 and comes to The Hexagon on Thurs 8 April '27.

💥On Sale Fri 27 March '26💥 - Join us and see the self-appointed Crown Prince of Visualised Companion Podcasts harrumph about the stage.
buff.ly/BIsYT1p

Poster for "All for love" concert with an image of a tag from Goram Foundling Hospital and info about the event

And on 22 March, Parenthesis present their spring concert "All For Love", with a programme of music written for charity.

Look & book for these and many other choral gems via whatsonreading.com/themes/chora...
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Poster for Dona Nobis Pacem concert with an image of a candle almost melted to the bottom, and info about the event

Two more choirs have announced their spring concerts!

On 21 March, Chorate Chamber Choir come to Christ Church, Reading for "Dona Nobis Pacem". With music chosen around the themes of conflict, oppression, and resolution, they hope to bring light as well as dark to these evocative subjects.
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Spring LATE Step into The MERL after dark for an evening of music, drinks, and creativity.

Come and hang out with us after dark!

Our next LATE takes place in 2 weeks' time. Join us for talks, activities, and drinks, and explore the galleries in a different light.

Book your tickets via our website:

merl.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/spr...

Through A Different Lens presents: Dreamers In celebration of International Womens Day we'll be hosting a screening of Dreamers directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor. This visually bold and deeply moving directorial debut is a tender story of defia...

And on 22 March they host a screening of "Dreamers" directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor.

This visually bold and deeply moving directorial debut is a tender story of defiance, which insists that love can endure even in the most hostile places.
whatsonreading.com/venues/throu...

Creative Connection - Through A Different Lens At Through A Different Lens, we host and screen independent short and feature films throughout the year to our filmmaking and film-loving community.

It's a busy month for Through A Different Lens with a pair of events at the Biscuit Factory to mark International Women's Day.

On 19 March, the next Creative Connection features guests from female Cinematogaphers illuminatrix, sharing their projects and insights
whatsonreading.com/venues/throu...

Promotional artwork for the gig. A black and white photo of Mull Historical Society i.e. Colin MacIntyre, with a colourful collage of photos projected onto his face. Text overlaid onto the image reads 'Heavy Pop. Mull Historical Society (Seated). South Street Arts Centre, Reading. Weds 16th September'.

Just announced - an independent gig from Heavy Pop!

"One of the best British songwriters to emerge this century" (Rolling Stone), Mull Historical Society is here Wed 16 Sep 2026.

On sale to Members Thu 12 March, 10am
On general sale Fri 13 Mar, 10am

whatsonreading.com/mull-histori...

Event poster with artwork of an Indian woman's face and details of the event

A live DJ, energetic Giddha, Bhangra performances, and uplifting Boliyan, all while indulging in a delicious 2 course meal.

This Saturday, Giddhasise presents Ladies Sangeet, a social event for South Asian Women to celebrate #InternationalWomensDay in desi style
whatsonreading.com/venues/vocal...

A poster showing two Black-tailed Godwits in flight, with the details of the Berkshire Ornithological Club talk on Wednesday 18th March 2026, 7.30pm. Palmer Building 109, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading. There is a Zoom link for people who can't attend in person: http://bit.ly/4lrQGl8

Our next FREE meeting is on Wed 18 March, 7.30pm.
Professor Jenny Gill, will talk about her research into godwit conservation.
How do we know where and when we should target conservation actions to be most effective?

Non-members welcome, in person or via Zoom: bit.ly/4lrQGl8.

#ornithology

A woman in a pink top and jeans and a man in a white shirt and jeans standing in a games shop surrounded by board games

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑀𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑐 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 9 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑... 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 "𝐼'𝑚 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼'𝑚 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑎 𝑑𝑎𝑑" 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 "𝑌𝑒𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠!"

Hear more about @eclecticgames.bsky.social's 20th anniversary in our podcast - buff.ly/PNY6gVm

a man and a woman are standing on a stage and congratulating all the nominees . ALT: a man and a woman are standing on a stage and congratulating all the nominees .

A Christmas Carol (Reading Rep Theatre)
Beauty & The Beast (Hexagon Panto)
Diwali - Light It Up!
East Reading Festival
Find The Flock: Shaun The Sheep Trail
GLOW Lantern Parade
Reading's Big Quiz (PACT)
Reading Children's Festival
Reading Water Fest
Reading's Digital Revolution (Reading Museum)

The What's On Reading awards logo and the text "What what the best event #inrdg last year? Cast your vote now"

We've had OVER EIGHT HUNDRED votes so far for "Event of the Year" in this year's What's On Reading Awards.

So who's your pick?
whatsonreading.com/awards2026

Oh, the full list of nominees?⤵️

What's On events The first festival of walks in Reading. Join us this May as we celebrate Reading’s heritage and stories through guided walks. Urban walks, countryside walks and more. Book now for the Reading Walks Fe...

This year's walks range from one-hour short walks to a 2-day pilgrimage and even a cycle ride!

Look and book via whatsonreading.com/venues/readi...
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Photo of walking group standing in a field on a sunny day with the Reading Walks Festival over the top

Reading Walks Festival will return on 9-17 May with over 40 walks packed into that week-and-a-bit!

The emphasis for all of the walks is as much about telling the stories of Reading as walking for its own pleasure, so you’ll find that the volunteer guides have lots to share with you along the way
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AI poster with imagery of a duck by the riverside and information about the event

On 28 March, Nature Nurture, Food4Families and special guest, The Nature Doctor invite you to get A Dose Of Nature - a family-friendly day outdoors for all ages designed to boost wellbeing, lift mood and reconnect you with the natural world.
whatsonreading.com/venues/natur...

View of Readifolk's events on Sunday nights 8-10:30pm to 3rd May from www.tockify.com/readifolk. The events include: 15th March Songs & tunes of Ireland, 22nd March - theme night Home Sweet Home, 29th March Milton Hide (duo), oth April Singers' night, 12th April Den Miller, 19th April Dan McKinnon, 26th April Songs & tunes of England and ird May Theme Night - Hard Times.

Look what we have coming up, including Readifolk debuts from @miltonhide.bsky.social, @denmillermusic.bsky.social and @danmckinnon-nsfolk.bsky.social + singers' & theme nights where you make the music on #SundayNight #FolkMusicNight in #TheDing @rdgwhatson.bsky.social @acespacenewbury.bsky.social

High contrast image of Alison Moyet's face, merging into the monochrome blue-and-white banner that includes information about the tour

Just announced - Alison Moyet is coming back to the Hexagon on 19 October.

For this tour, she'll be performing songs of Yazoo, plus tracks from her solo electronica albums ‘the minutes’ and ‘Other’.
buff.ly/rRWN8ng

Walk Reading logo over an image of Reading Town Centre and the Forbury Lion

Led (literally) by two knowledgeable local guides, Walk Reading have lined up a fresh batch of guided walks around, starting this weekend.

From our town's part in photography and war, from the the Abbey to the Calleva Atrebatum, there's lots to get stuck into!
whatsonreading.com/venues/walk-...

Poster for Country & ‘Cue Fest with images of musicians on stage and sausages on a barbecue

Food festivals - good
Music festivals - good
Music and food festivals - EVEN BETTER!

Like the Country & 'Cue fest, coming to Dinton Pastures on Sun 3 May with live music from authentic country artists and the very best of BBQ food & demonstrations
whatsonreading.com/venues/readi...

A woman in a yellow t-shirt laughing and a man in a black t-shirt smiling. They are Billy & Camille from the band The Subways

🤘Tomorrow (10 March) it's Billy & Camille from The Subways playing unplugged - but still loud! - with support from local shoegazers The MEDZ
whatsonreading.com/venues/heavy...
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Four late-20s men sitting in a bar drinking pints of beer. They all have long hair and most have facial hair, too. They are the members of the band Bruise Control.

There's a double-dose of Heavy Pop gigs at The Facebar to start your week the right way!
🤘Tonight (9 March) it's "hook-filled, razor-sharp indie-punk" from Bruise Control, plus Reading's own Masquerader and Skinhawk in support
whatsonreading.com/venues/heavy...
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Comedian on stage in a bar with a seated audience in front of them

Looking for a laugh?

Tonight (and, indeed, every Monday) Mates Rates are at The Outlook with RAW, Reading's number 1 stand up comedy open mic. Who knows who or what you'll see!

whatsonreading.com/venues/mates...

Mad Monkey Improv: 2026 Season Get ready for a night of unscripted, unfiltered, and unbelievably funny comedy from the Mad Monkey Improv team! Armed with nothing but your suggestions, our performers create high-energy scenes, wild…

After the unfortunate news that Brewdog was closing its doors this week, it looked like this month's show from Mad Monkey Improv might not go ahead...

But they've found a new home at Reading Biscuit Factory - so join them on 13 March for another night of hilarious improv comedy!

Event promo image with a black woman sytlised to look like a Janet Jackson album cover

Inspired by the Timberlake-Jackson Superbowl incident, Nine Sixteenths explores themes of representation and pop culture, and the hopes and dreams of 4 black female performers through devised theatre, dance and lip sync.

At @southstreetarts.bsky.social on 11 Mar - buff.ly/0T8ZiVb

The What's On Reading Podcast The What's On Reading podcast lets you hear all about the great things happening in Reading, from the people and places putting them on.

Have you heard our latest #podcast?

We catch up with Becky from Eclectic Games as they celebrate their twentieth anniversary this month - games, game rooms and the gaming community that's grown with them.

Plus, our round up of more highlights this month.
Listen now -

the words "Help wanted"

Reading Arts & Venues is looking for a dynamic Marketing Officer to help promote its exciting and diverse programme of live events. This is a hands-on, creative position where your ideas will directly contribute to the success of Reading’s cultural offer.

Find out more and apply - buff.ly/3cVh1hP

Poster for Best of British featuring The Contrabandista, with a comic-book style image of a man in a sombrero with a bullet being shot through it

Mostly G and S are back next month with a show that is mostly Sullivan, and not very Gilbert!

At the centre is Sullivan's The Contrabandista, plus works from some of Sullivan's contemporaries, including Edward German, Lionel Monckton and Alfred Cellier.

Book now via buff.ly/UCy0I2m

This is tomorrow!
And there's but a handful of tickets left!

Black and white archive photo of the lion in Forbury Gardens.

Coming up tomorrow at @readingmuseum.bsky.social, author Robert Clarke will be introducing his latest book, "Reading’s Colossal Lion", tracing the continuing story of the world’s largest cast-iron lion – the Forbury Gardens’ dominant feature for 140 years.
whatsonreading.com/venues/readi...

Giant bithday balloons for "20" outside the Eclectic Games shop in Reading

STOP THE PRESS!

@eclecticgames.bsky.social will be running an extra board-games-all-day day on Sunday 8 March to mark their 20th anniversary!

So why not pop down and help them celebrate?
whatsonreading.com/venues/eclec...