What's on in May

May this year is filled with bank holidays and festivals, both traditional and new for this year! There lots of live music, both local and not-so-local. Lots of comedy too – again, both local and not-so-local! And, of course, plenty of ways to ring in the king with a packed Coronation weekend of events. Check out the highlights of what’s on in Reading this May – and don’t forget to head to whatsonreading.com for so much more!

King’s Coronation Celebrations – From 4 May

Reading is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the crowning of the new king with all manner of events big and small. There’s a Right Royal Reading Children’s Festival kicking off on the day of the coronation in Forbury Gardens with lots of things to see and do. And just over the wall in the Abbey Ruins, two days of concerts – Scouting For Girls headline on Sat 6 May, and it’s a family-friendly Tribute Festival on Sun 7 May. Plus lots of kids activities, a Garden Party with a difference at the Flowing Spring and more!

The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club – 5 May

Legendary actor, host and broadcaster Craig Charles returns to kick off the bank holiday weekend with some of the greatest floorfillers of all time when his much-loved Funk & Soul Club lands at Sub89. Dance till the small hours with some of the best funk, soul and other grooves with one of the most respected DJs in the field!

Are You Listening? Festival – 6 May

Reading’s multi-venue music festival celebrates its tenth anniversary with a stacked line-up of acts – over 70 of them, in fact, from locals like Ash The Author, Marisa And The Moths and Colours and Fires, to big-name touring types like Black Honey, Thomas Headon and PET NEEDS. The festival spans nine different venues across town from 12:30pm till way past midnight, and your wristband gets you access to as much music as you can cram in!

Reading Walks Festival – 10-14 May

Reading’s Inaugural Walks Festival offers you the chance to explore our town’s rich history – and geography – with dozens of guided walks both urban and rural! Much of the walks are now fully booked but there’s still plenty of options to see and learn about Reading while getting your steps in, each led by expert guides who love to share their knowledge.

Boyzlife – 11 May

Keith Duffy from Boyzone. Brian McFadden from Westlife. Together, they are Boyzlife, a supergroup formed by long-time pals to continue to make the music they love to make – and that you love to hear! They return to The Hexagon with their ‘Old School: Part Two’ tour, performing original songs from their 80s-influenced album, plus all the classic hits from their boyband pasts!

University of Reading Community Festival – 13 May

A brand new one-day festival launches on the historic Whiteknights campus of the University of Reading, bringing together local residents, small business owners, charities and more from all over town to celebrate the local community. There’ll be stalls, live performances and a chance to explore the stunning gardens, buildings and green spaces on campus, and find out more about the latest research taking place there.

Caversham Arts Trail - 13/14 & 20/21 May

For two weekends, follow the map around Caversham and get up close with the artists working there with this wonderful studio trail. This year’s trail once again offers up a varied selection of artwork by a range of talented local artists who welcome visitors into their studios and homes, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, buy art directly from artists and generally be inspired!

Reading Food Festival – 13 & 14 May

Reading’s Broad Street once again plays host a weekend of some of the best street food around with this two-day taste-fest! Hosted by Reading’s celebrated Blue Collar, over 30 cuisines will be on offer, from burgers to bao buns to brownies! Plus a licensed bar and plenty of live music throughout the weekend.

Reading Symphony Orchestra Children’s Concert – 13 May

Reading’s own RSO return to Reading Minster for their annual children’s concert, a chance to get even the youngest hooked on classics. This year’s programme offers up a fully narrated concert of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Suite – one that’s sure to keep the little ones engaged and awake! And its free entry for those under-18, too.

The Wind In The Willows – 17-20 May

The Sainsbury Singers have been performing musical theatre in Reading since 1938, and were one of the first to perform at The Hexagon when it opened in 1977. They’re back there again with their latest lavish musical, based on the novel by Kenneth Grahame and packed full of toe-tapping tunes and plenty of humour with Ratty, Mole, Mr Toad and the rest! Poop, poop!

Rattus Rattus: The Epic Tail of Man v Rat – 18 May

It’s New Year’s Day 2015 and Rosa’s dad has made a life-changing resolution. At the same time, a rat sneaks into her family home and so begins an epic battle for control of the house… Reading Central Library is the unusual venue for this unusual piece of theatre from writer/performer/producer Rosa Torr, a funny real-life story about family, growing up, and the times we all find we’ve gone a little bit mad.

Glen Matlock – 18 May

Founding member of the Sex Pistols, current touring bassist for Blondie… and an accomplished solo artist in his own right, Glen Matlock returns to Reading to tour his latest album Consequences Coming, a “timely and politically pertinent new rock album that’s perfectly in tune with the chaos of our times”.

Reading Indie Comedy Festival – 19-22 May

Reading’s local laughmakers – including Mates Rates Comedy, Stand And Deliver Comedy Club and What’s The Game? Improv – unite to present the town’s first independent comedy festival. The line-up brings a number of big name comics like Zoe Lyons, Paul Foot and Emmanuel Sonubi to venues across Reading, alongside improv nights, a roast battle and the New Comedian of the Year competition.

Seán McGowan – 26 May

Club Velocity bring Seán McGowan back to the Rising Sun Arts Centre, this time with a full band! The Southampton-born singer has toured over 20 countries, supported acts like Frank Turner and The Levellers and performed at numerous festivals. And he continues to chip away delivering songs, shows and mentality of working-class truth that’s resonates with Reading audiences on more than one occasion.