What's on in Reading this month

The clocks may have gone back – but there’s plenty of great events to look forward to in Reading this November! We’ve music, art and language festivals, local choirs and theatre, top-tier comedy and DJ talent coming to play and the first of this year’s Christmas events kicking off this month – including plenty of creative Christmas shopping ideas. As usual, these are but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to What’s On in Reading this November – do head to whatsonreading.com for so much more!

Reading Festival of Languages | 2 – 6 Nov

Celebrate Reading’s languages, cultures and multilingualism with a week of exciting events for everyone, led by the University of Reading’s Department of Languages and Cultures, with support from Friends of the University of Reading. There’s the chance to try language and culture workshops led by UoR linguists and community teachers, as well as Foreign Language Film Screenings (with English subtitles) complete with Q&A sessions.

Local Theatre | Various Dates

Our homegrown theatrical talents take to stages all over town this month. The Triangle Players present “comedic murder mystery” Murder on Cue on 5-7 Nov; Mostly G&S present Gilbert & Sullivan’s Yeomen of The Guard on 12-14 Nov; Progress Theatre present What's Wrong With Angry?, a heartfelt, rebellious, and ultimately uplifting story of a young gay relationship in 90's Britain, on 16-21 Nov; and Shinfield Players Theatre present a double-bill of Last Panto in Little Grimley & The Real Inspector Hound on 18-21 Nov.

Sam Campbell: Kid Giblet | 6 & 17 Nov

As seen on Taskmaster, Last One Laughing and more, the Aussie comedian comes to The Hexagon for his latest out-there tour where he admits that even he doesn’t know what’s happening anymore. But whatever happens, you can be sure of an hilarious evening.

Acorn Open Studios 2026 | 7 & 8 Nov

Ever wondered what artists do all day? This open studio trail covers over 25 artists and their studios in Reading and further afield where you can see just what goes on behind the scenes. As well as works of art, there may well be unique gifts to tempt you ahead of the festive season - come and discover art you will love living with. 

Reading Rising Festival | 7 & 8 Nov

Reading Rising returns for its seventh year, once again bringing big names, local heroes, and lesser-known-but-upcoming-bands together on one exciting line-up of alt-rock goodness. This year’s line-up boasts the InMe, LASTELLE, Employed To Serve and InAir for two days, two stages and no clashes!

Nowt as choir as folk | Various Dates

November sees plenty of our local choirs in full voice and showing off their range – both vocal and thematic. On 7 Nov, Reading Bach Choir sing Durufle's Requiem at their concert of remembrance on while Reading Male Voice Choir are joined by Soprano Charis Luke for an evening raising funds for Kagando Hospital, Uganda. And on 8 Nov, Tamesis Chamber Choir mark Remembrance Sunday with Brahms’ A German Requiem, accompanied by piano duet.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Fight or Flight Show | 11 Nov

Join Diary of a Wimpy Kid author (and host), Jeff Kinney, as he celebrates the release of his latest book with a knock-out, interactive stage show, set to EGGSPLODE with fun for the whole family!

For audience members who aren’t too chicken, there may be the chance to step into the ring on stage for a series of hilarious, head-to-head challenges. Expect feathers to fly, funny jabs to be thrown and maybe a fowl or two!

Creative (Christmas?) Shopping | Various Dates

As we head towards festive season, you may be looking for that special something for that special someone… or indeed for yourself! Fortunately, there are plenty of creative shopping opportunities (shopportunities?) this month, from art markets – Artisa in Caversham, Modern Makers in Yattendon and Jelly’s art shop – where you can buy direct from local artists and makers, to the Reading Town Hall Christmas Market and University of Reading Winter Festival with all manner of local stalls, to more niche shopping at the Reading Card Show and Reading Comic-Con.

Performance Poetry Workshop with Alice d’Lumiere | 14 Nov

Performance Artist, Playwright and Poet, Alice d’Lumiere is running a workshop on Creating Poetry for Performance, looking at the basic building blocks of verse from the practical point of view of creating poetry to entertain and connect with live audiences. She’ll be exploring techniques for writing for different venues and crowds and using examples of well-known poems, alongside her own recent stage work, to illustrate potential approaches to voice, cadence, genre and identity.

Kalakunj presents Nrityanjali 2026 | 14 Nov

Kalakunj is a community-based performing arts troupe dedicated to preserve, promote and share the rich cultural heritage of South Asian performing arts. They return to the University’s 3Sixty for their annual showcase of Indian classical dance and culture, including Nrityanjali dance and Abhijnanashakuntalam, one of the oldest Sanskrit plays. Plus they’ll be joined by guest dancer, Koel Ghosh to perform Odissi.

Secret Raves presents: The Winter Reunion | 28 Nov

Secret Raves presents an epic afternoon and night of Ibiza Classics, dance anthems and legendary DJs at the University’s Great Hall, with the likes of Dave Pearce, Alex P and Jeremy Healy taking turns behind the decks. Expect non-stop Ibiza classics and plenty of 90s and 00s dance anthems. And once the day rave is over, Jamie Taylor takes over for an afterparty to keep the vibes going till midnight.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… | Various Dates

Christmas is coming – and sooner than you might think, with the festive season officially kicking off on 14 November when the lights are switched on, the new Christmas exhibition opens at Basildon Park and The Hexagon invites you to Step Into Christmas with your favourite season songs. And the festive spirit continues from there with Reading Rep Theatre’s all-new production of Reading Rep Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol opening on 19 Nov, Santa coming to Dinton Pastures from 26 Nov, Reading Symphony Orchestra performing The Nutcracker on 28 Nov and more!