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Bayeux Tapestry at Reading Museum
Reading Town Hall
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Looking for fun, free ways to make the most of your summer in Reading? From riverside walks to cultural festivals, we’ve rounded up some of the best free activities happening across the town this season. Whether you're exploring with family, friends, or solo, these experiences won’t cost a thing—just your curiosity.
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Soak up the Regatta Vintage Fayre | 14 – 15 June
Part of the much-anticipated Reading Amateur Regatta weekend, the Regatta Vintage Fayre brings a festive flair to the riverside on 14–15 June. Enjoy the buzz of competitive rowing alongside vintage-themed stalls, delicious street food, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Whether you're cheering on the crews or browsing the craft market with an ice cream in hand, it's the perfect way to spend a summer weekend by the water—completely free to enjoy.
Enjoy the Riverside
If you're in the mood for a relaxing riverside stroll, Reading has you covered. The Thames Path offers picturesque waterside views. The Thames also offers the perfect spot to cool down on hot days by paddling or swimming at Thames Valley Park.
Enjoy Waterfest | 28 June
Reading’s iconic summer celebration of life on the water returns on Saturday 28 June! Waterfest fills the Abbey Quarter and Kennet riverside with live music, narrowboats, food stalls, craft markets, and family activities—all for free. It’s one of the town’s most loved summer events, blending heritage and fun in a beautiful historic setting.
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Explore Reading’s Outdoor Art Scene
Reading’s streets and public spaces are alive with colour and creativity. From bold street art to pop-up installations, there’s plenty to discover on a free art walk around town.
Visit the Children’s Business Fair | 5 July
Support young entrepreneurs at the Children’s Business Fair on Saturday 5 July, where kids aged 7–17 launch their own mini businesses. It’s a brilliant opportunity to browse handmade products, enjoy a vibrant atmosphere, and be inspired by the creativity and confidence of the next generation.
Follow Family-Friendly Trails
Keep the kids entertained with engaging trails around Reading town centre. Explore Reading’s links with Michael Bond on our Paddington Trail. Plus, don't miss Jelly’s Open for Art, a vibrant celebration of creativity with free exhibitions and workshops across Reading including an exciting art trail around town. And watch this space for an exciting sheep-inspired trail arriving in July—something special is coming to Reading. Watch this space!
Get Up and Running
Get fit this summer at one of Reading’s Park Runs on a Saturday morning (every Saturday 9am) – Thames Valley Park or Prospect Park (plus Woodford Park and Dinton Pastures in Wokingham Borough). Run by volunteers, these are free group runs for all ages. Register before your first run.
Picnic in Reading’s Parks and Gardens
Summer’s the perfect time to grab a blanket and head to one of Reading’s many green spaces. From the beautifully landscaped Forbury Gardens to the riverside serenity of Christchurch Meadows, you’ll find ideal spots for picnics, outdoor games, or simply unwinding in the sunshine. Don’t forget the sun cream!
Discover Reading’s Museums
Step into Reading’s rich heritage with a visit to two of the town’s best-loved museums. Reading Museum, located in the historic Town Hall, brings the town's fascinating history to life—including the famous full-size Bayeux Tapestry replica. Just a short walk away, The MERL (Museum of English Rural Life) is a hidden gem exploring rural life and traditions. Both offer free entry and host a range of family-friendly exhibitions and activities throughout the summer.
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Experience Carnival of the World | 9 August
Celebrate Reading’s rich cultural diversity at the Carnival of the World on Saturday 9 August. Expect music, dance, colourful costumes, and family entertainment in this joyful festival of global cultures right in the heart of Reading. It’s a highlight of the summer calendar and completely free to attend.
Inspiration
Situated in Reading’s Victorian Town Hall, the Museum tells the story of Reading from its Saxon beginnings to the high-tech town it is today. Explore ten galleries of historic and artistic objects. Discover archaeology from Roman Silchester and Reading Abbey, view vintage Huntley & Palmers biscuit tins, explore our famous Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, and don’t miss changing exhibitions in the Art Gallery. Take a look in our shop with unique local products, books and gifts.- 1 Jan 202531 Dec 2025
- Explore 900 years of history in Reading Abbey Quarter including the burial place of King Henry I, Jane Austen's schoolroom and Oscar Wilde's Gaol. Notably the Quarter includes Reading Museum, St. James' Church, St Laurence's Church, the Forbury Gardens, Reading Gaol and the remains of Reading Abbey. The impressive Abbey Ruins consist of the south transept, the treasury, the chapter house, the dormitory and the refectory.
- Silchester, 12 miles south of Reading, has its origins as Calleva, a centre of the Iron Age Atrebates tribe from the late 1st century BC. After the Roman conquest of AD 43 it became the large and important town of Calleva Atrebatum. Unlike most Roman towns, it was never reoccupied or built over after it was abandoned in the 6th or 7th century, so archaeological investigations have given an unusually complete picture of its development. The complete circuit of the Roman walls, some of the best-preserved Roman town defences in England, and remains of the amphitheatre still stand.
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