Broad Street Beats Returns for a Frightfully Fun October

15th October 2026

Broad Street Mall is inviting the local community to celebrate together as Broad Street Beats returns with a special Halloween-themed edition on Saturday 24th October, from 11am – 3pm.

Visitors can get their boo-gie on once again. In partnership with The Rhoom Studios, this next event will bring together five wonderful local artists who will take to the centre’s stage to perform. This month’s artists include Burghfield Uncommon, CountryLee Music, Graham Hornby, Purple Roots, and Franssens, with the wonderful MC Paul Metcalfe returning to host the event.

In true Broad Street Mall style, the centre will also be offering little ones an opportunity to get crafty at this event; prepare for Halloween with a FREE trick-or-treat bag decorating workshop! Visitors can personalise their very own tote – perfect for witches, wizards, and little monsters of all ages. A fun, creative, and sustainable way to get into the Halloween spirit ahead of the big day!

On the day, visitors can also meet the centre’s mystical face painting wizard to get a creepily cute design for FREE.

Anyone up for spooky music bingo? There will be a lunchtime Halloween-themed music bingo quiz for all to take part in – take a bingo card, match the tracks being played and the winner will take home a fang-tastic prize on the day!

Plus, all visitors are invited to wear their best Halloween costume to the event. They might win a spooky spot prize if their costume catches our eye.

If that’s not enough, the centre’s beloved mascot Topsy will be making appearances to raise spirits throughout the day, handing out treats, hugs, and posing for photos with delighted visitors.

The Broad Street Beats event series continues to be supported by lead partner Every Little Thing Festival this month, who will be on hand to offer guidance, support and access to key resources. Led by founder Sinead Gibson, whose daughter Diva sadly lost her life to suicide, the festival shines a light on mental health, wellness and suicide prevention, offering hope and support to those who need it most.

Broad Street Beats offers a chance for the local community to come together to celebrate national initiatives and acknowledge important causes, through the power of music and experience. It also provides a vital platform for artists to raise important topics that are often not spoken about openly, and visitors have the chance to meet with key local partners that can provide vital support and resources in the local community.

Steven Connolly, Centre Manager at Broad Street Mall, said:

“Broad Street Beats has become a wonderful way for us to bring the Reading community together, and we’re really pleased to be bringing it back this October to celebrate Halloween. At the heart of these events is our local community, creating an opportunity for people to come together, enjoy themselves and connect with local organisations and partners. We’re looking forward to filling Broad Street Mall with live music, free crafting and face painting and plenty of spooky fun for all ages, while giving our local partners a platform to perform, share valuable information, advice and support with visitors. We hope everyone will come along, embrace the Halloween spirit and enjoy a fantastic day celebrating community, which makes Reading such a great place to be.”