What's on in Reading this month

May brings with it a couple of bank holiday weekends and LOTS of Reading’s Festivals! Whether you like comedy, food, walks or live music (or are a child) – there’s a festival for you this month. We also have some lovely literary events, fab local theatre and even a Bonafide 80s icon going back to school! So check out our highlights of What’s On in Reading in May – and, as always, don’t forget to check whatsonreading.com for so much, much more!

Music Festivals and All-dayers | Various Dates

If you love filling a day with music, we’ve got oodles of options across all manner of musical genres. The May Day Bank Holiday Sunday serves up the Country & ‘Cue Fest at Dinton Pastures, or the punk-and-ska-filled Shadow Shuffle III at the Face Bar. 9 May sees the return of the venue-hopping Are You Listening? Festival, before we jump to the late May Bank Holiday Sunday for the rockin and rollin’ Crazy Cowboy Festival and the old-school Punk Pile-Up.

Author Events | Various Dates

Nothing like sitting down with a good book – except, perhaps, sitting down with the author of a good book! On 6 May, Claire North, Stewart Hotston, and Ren Hutchings sit down at Waterstones for Making Galaxies, a discussion on Identity and Community in Space Opera. Then head north of the river to Fourbears Books for a pair of in-conversation events with Prof Tom Oliver on 12 May and Simon Mason on 14 May.

Reading Walks Festival | 9 - 17 May

Put your best foot forward for this annual collection of guided walks that bring our town’s stories to life. This year’s festival is packed with over 40 walks exploring this history and geography of Reading, ranging from Waterhouse architecture to public art, ghost stories to green stories and more. Many of the walks are booking fast, too – so best get your skates on. And then your walking boots. 

Reading Food Festival | 9 & 10 May

Can you smell that? That's the smell of loads of top street food vendors descending on Broad Street for two days packed with fabulous food, refreshing drinks and feel-good live music. Hosted by street food champions Blue Collar, this beloved open-air event transforms Reading’s busiest shopping street into a buzzing foodie paradise.

Reading Children’s Festival | 9 - 31 May

Get ready for three fun-packed weeks of events and activities for children all over the borough, kicking off as always with Forbury Fiesta on Saturday 9 May, which promises to be packed with all manner of performances and activities for kids. From sport and music workshops to fun days with art and craft sessions, Reading Children’s Festival promises to bring plenty of fun, mayhem and madness.

The Music of The Lord of the Rings | 9 May

Performed by the modern orchestra Mystery Ensemble, this magical evening will transport you instantly into the heart of Tolkien’s universe, where elves, hobbits, and dwarves roam. The virtuoso playing of the musicians will bring to life the stirring, powerful, and deeply emotional compositions of Howard Shore, the three-time Academy Award winner, whose work shaped the very essence of Peter Jackson’s cinematic masterpiece.

Legally Blonde: The Musical | 13 - 16 May

Local musical theatre troupe The Sainsbury Singers return to The Hexagon – what, like it’s hard? – for this stonking stage show based on the hit movie. Follow the journey of Elle Woods, a fashion-savvy sorority girl who enrols at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend. Along the way, Elle defies stereotypes and discovers her own strength and intelligence, proving that being true to yourself never goes out of style. Packed with catchy songs, high-energy choreography, and heartfelt moments, the show celebrates self-confidence, resilience, and the power of pink.

Reading Indie Comedy Festival | 14 - 17 May

Laughs aplenty are guaranteed when our local comedy promoters once again team up to bring your four days of cracking comedy! As always, the line-up brings big TV names – this year including Sara Pascoe, Simon Brodkin and Zoe Lyons - together with local comedians and rising stars from the circuit for a long-weekend of stand-up and improv comedy, performed in a variety of venues all over town.

University of Reading Centenary Community Festival | 16 & 17 May

The University of Reading has been at the heart of our town for 100 years, so as part of their centenary celebrations, they’re going bigger, better and bolder with their community festival. On 16 May it’s a fun-packed day of talks, performances, activities and more on campus, and on 17 May they head into Forbury Gardens, where the historic RAG Parade returns to the centre of Reading for an afternoon of live entertainment, stalls and more!

Zammo's Back To School Daytime Disco | 16 May

Dust off your blazers and tighten those ties! Grange Hill legend Lee MacDonald – aka ZAMMO – is coming to the Purple Turtle for a daytime school disco! He’ll be stepping behind the decks and spinning the biggest floor-fillers from the golden era of school discos. So whether you were a high-flyer or a regular in detention, this is the reunion you actually want to attend.

K-Pop All Stars Tribute | 23 May

If the names Blackpink, NewJeans, BTS or Itzy ring any bells, this may be the show for you! This explosive live celebration of the music, artists, and culture taking over the world is perfect for fans of K-Pop of all ages. Feel the power of stadium-sized anthems, razor-sharp choreography, and a cast that delivers every beat with precision and passion.

Home, I’m Darling | 25 - 30 May

Progress Theatre present Laura Wade’s brilliant modern comedy with a retro twist. Judy wants to live like it’s the fifties. She used to work in a grey office, but now she joyfully stays busy in their perfect home, doing everything for her husband Johnny, who she met at a retro convention. He loved the cars and community, she loved the dancing and classic films. Wasn’t it all so lovely, so simple, so good? But as their friends, family and colleagues look on, Johnny starts to question their choices.