What's on in Reading this month

June once again brought the heat – and July will turn that heat up with a hotter-than-hot calendar of events celebrating some of our best local talent while welcoming plenty of national and international visitors, too. We’ve got concerts and comedy, top tribute artists and big name bands, open-air theatre and orchestras in unusual spaces! And, of course, the start of the summer holidays with plenty of fun for kids. Check out our highlights of What’s On in Reading in July – and, as always, don’t forget to check whatsonreading.com for so much, much more!

Reading Cocktail Week | 3 – 12 July

We're firm believers that the appreciation of food and drink sits under "culture". Which is why we're excited for Reading Cocktail Week, the first town-wide event celebrating the art of crafting (and enjoying) cocktails. Grab a bargain at your favourite venues or try out somewhere new, with unlimited discounts across the week with your cocktail week wristband. Enjoy and appreciate responsibly.

Nowt as choir as folk | Various Dates

Plenty of our local choirs will be in full voice this month, serving up summer concerts to raise spirits and smiles. On 4 July Reading Haydn Choir present their summer concert; Thames Vale Singers “Sing a Song of Six Pence” twice, on 10 and 11 July; Pangbourne Choral Society perform “Music from Around the World”, also on 11 July, while Reading Bach Choir present An American Mass that same day; and Vivace Voices host their summer concert on 15 July.

Top Tributes | Various Dates

Even better than the real thing? July is another busy month for tribute shows in Reading, with the opening weekend alone offering tributes to The Jam, Frank Sinatra & Ella Fitzgerald, and Fleetwood Mac. The rest of the month serves up the music of Led Zep, AC/DC, ELO, Jamiroquai and the best Nashville has to offer. And at the centre of all this – Marvellous Festival, the UK’s original and longest-running tribute festival, held at Dinton Pastures!

Romany & Traveller Heritage Day | 4 July

Join the Museum of English Rural Life for a family-friendly day which aims to bring communities together to honour heritage, challenge stereotypes and share knowledge. Experience traditional skills including blacksmithing, flower making and horseshoe painting, alongside live music, storytelling and educational activities.

Summer Concerts | Various Dates

Our local concert bands are tuning up for some spectacular summer concerts. On 4 July, South Berks Concert Band celebrate their Golden Anniversary with a concert packed with popular favourites, and the world premiere of a piece commissioned especially for the occasion. And on 11 July, it’s a Transatlantic affair as Woodley Concert Band team with the University of West Virginia (WVU) Alumni Band for a joint concert at the Great Hall.

Katona Twins | 10 July

Identical twin guitar virtuosos Peter and Zoltan Katona have given recitals in major concert venues throughout the world including performances at Carnegie Hall in New-York, The Konzerthaus in Vienna and the Suntory Hall in Tokyo. This list of venues will now include Reading Minster when they return to Reading for an evening of music inspired by the Alhambra Palace.

Bastille Day Festival | 11 & 12 July

Forbury Gardens will once again have a certain “je ne sais quoi” with the return of Bastille Day Festival, a two-day celebration of all kinds of French culture. From freshly baked pastries, artisan cheeses and fine wines to battle re-enactments and weapons demonstrations, there's plenty to see, taste and discover. Meet costumed re-enactors, learn about life during the French Revolution and soak up the lively atmosphere with music, performances and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.

Open-Air Theatre | Various Dates

They say “all the world’s a stage”, and this month that becomes rather literal with some wonderful outdoor theatre performances. We’ll get our annual visits from Mikron Theatre with two shows across three different waterway-adjacent locales throughout the month: Top Of The Wold (join the East Riding Mobile Library in a celebration of community, culture, caravans, and peas) and Wensleydale Whey (monks desperately seeking a living soul to resurrect their traditional cheese). And on 15-25 July, Progress Theatre return to the Abbey Ruins with a fresh and fast-paced interpretation of Shakespeare’s greatest play, Hamlet, where dark humour intermingles with grief, betrayal and insanity.

Edinburgh previews at South Street | Various Dates

South Street is a great place to find comedy and theatre, and they've built some fantastic relationships over the years. So when acts need to preview their shows before the Edinburgh Festival, South Street is the place to go! Enjoy stand-up double-bills with Glenn Moore and Jonny Pelham on 17 July, and Hannah Byczkowski (winner of the first season of BBC's The Traitors) and Cecily Hitchcock on 23 July. And New York absurdist theatremakers Xhloe and Natasha return on 30 & 31 July with their new show, "Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It".

¡Fiesta on the Footbridge! | 18 July

The Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra comes Reading Station’s transfer deck for an afternoon of vibrant, high‑spirited orchestral music in a space that has wonderful acoustics! You don’t even need a train ticket – just pop by to soak up the sound, enjoy the atmosphere, and even step up to conduct the orchestra if you fancy giving it a go.

Heritage Live weekender | 23 – 26 July

The grounds of historic Englefield House once again play host to a long weekend of wonderful live concerts featuring a breadth of big name musical stars and styles. This year’s concerts offer up Faithless w/Leftfield and Tricky on 23 July; Richard Ashcroft w/ Shed Seven and Tom Meighan on 24 July; Ministry of Sound Classical w/ Example, Roger Snchez, Tall Paul and Seb Fontaine on 25 July; and UB40 with Ali Campbell, w/ Bitty McClean, Gentleman’s Dub Club, General Levy, Bushman, and Channel One Soundsystem on 26 July!

School Holiday Fun | from 24 July

As the summer holidays kick in, so does the fun for kids of all ages all over town. The centrepiece this year is the Reading Dino Trail where you can stomp your way around Reading as incredible brick-built dinosaurs take over the town centre! July also offers up summer theatre camps with RABBLE Theatre, Reading Rep Theatre and Progress Theatre, activities at Reading Museum and Basildon Park, and much more!