What's on in August

August in Reading is usually dominated by 'that festival'. But there’s so much more going on in all corners of our cultural community, from homegrown festivals to cultural celebrations, live music in venues of all shapes and sizes and, of course, lots to keep the kids busy during the school holidays! Check out our highlights of What’s On in August – and don’t forget to check whatsonreading.com for so much more!

Creative Summer Holiday Fun – various dates

Creative kids will be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding something to do this month. There are all manner of “show in a week” summer schools from local theatremakers Berzerk Productions, Stageability, RABBLE Theatre and First Impressions Theatre, craft and science workshops at Reading Libraries and plenty of fun to be had at both Reading Museum and The Museum of English Rural Life.

Bach to Baby Family Concert - Effie's Animal Jamboree – 5 August

Bach to Baby is the critically acclaimed classical concert series for babies, toddlers and their families to enjoy together. And this month, you’re invited to a dance party at Reading Minster with Effie the Elephant and their bestest friends! Learn to stomp like Effie, or glide like Swanie. With a twirl and a jump, and a Fig Leaf Rag, we're sure to have some stomping good fun!

Here Comes The Sun Festival – 6 August

The Rising Sun Arts Centre’s one-day festival of music and arts for all the family returns after a two-year absence. All the doors to the centre are flung open, with live performances, visual arts and plenty of fun for kids occupying every conceivable corner of the building! This year’s line-up includes soul crusaders The Mark II, alt-rock from Elucidate and skiffle from Grae J. Wall, plus a showcase of several communities that call the centre home.

Just The Tonic Comedy Club with Nathan Caton – 6 August

Taking place at Sub89 on Friar Street, Just The Tonic Reading is our town’s hidden gem when it comes to top comedy talent. Their August show is headlined by Nathan Caton (as seen on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, Russell Howard’s Good News and more), with stacked support line-up of the quirky and wacky Stephanie Laing, Sol Bernstein (Harry Hill’s favourite comic) and Tom Toal.

Reading Biscuit Town 200

Check out the programme of events to celebrate 200 year of Huntley & Palmers biscuits in Reading.

Reading Mela – 7 August

Reading Mela is an exciting and unique cultural showcase that provides a platform for the South Asian and other diverse communities of Reading. It aims to celebrate the music, culture and artistic diversity of our local Southern Asian community in an event that’s open to all, taking place in Palmer Park. The Mela also boasts activities for kids, a fun fair, and a popular food zone with variety of cuisine from different parts of the world.

Forbury Band Concert Season – 7, 14 & 21 August

Concerts in the Forbury Gardens bandstand are back for the summer, and August offers three very different but equally wonderful performances from the Age UK Community Choir, the Woodley Concert Band and the Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band. Free to watch, just BYOB – Bring Your Own Blanket!

Local brewery tours – various dates

Reading has a fantastic heritage of brewing beer – it’s one of our 3B’s after all! And we’ve got plenty of modern craft breweries that are keeping that heritage alive, creating wonderful beers beloved beyond our town’s borders. If you want a peek behind the curtain to see just how their beers are made (with a chance to taste them, too!), then both Double Barrelled Brewery and Phantom Brewing Co are once again offering tours and tastings this month.

Oscar Wilde Tour – 20 August

We all know that Oscar Wilde spent time in Reading Gaol – but how much do we really know about this beloved author and his links to Reading. Join one of Reading Museum’s expert volunteer guides on this walking tour that will give you an insight into one of our town’s key literary figures.

Coda – A Tribute To Led Zeppelin – 20 August

Get ready for a whole lotta love with one of Europe’s most exciting and authentic Led Zeppelin tribute bands, playing the outdoor stage of The Flowing Spring. This show features an incredible recreation of Led Zep in their prime, featuring amazing replica costumes and instruments that will take you back in time to the early 70's.

Still Life – from 23-25 August

After two sell-out runs, The Mill At Sonning brings this immersive production of the Noel Coward play back to its Waterwheel Bar. You, the audience, will sit at tables in the bar, as if you were actually in Milford Junction Railway Station itself, as the play will begin, right there amongst you. This is one ticket you won’t want to miss!

The Roseate Sessions: Pete Hefferan & Damien A. Passmore – 25 August

The latest in this series of intimate unplugged concerts in the Roseate Hotel’s boutique cinema room features two veterans of Reading’s music scene. Pete Hefferan is best known as a member of Pete & The Pirates, and this will be his first live performance in two years. Damien A. Passmore is Reading’s undisputed king of comedic country rock. And as both singers have performed at Reading Festival in the past, this is the perfect warm-up to the Festival weekend!

John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett – 25 August

This legendary duo are back at The Flowing Spring for another night of musical mayhem. Between Barrett’s musical versatility and Otway’s eccentricity, you can expect a night as infamous and spontaneous as their legendary Whistle Test performance all those years ago.