WATERFEST is back in Reading this summer, celebrating the waterways which lay at the heart of the town geographically, culturally, and historically.
The annual festival returns for its 36th iteration, bringing live performances, activities, and family fun to the banks of the rivers which have defined Reading.
Reading Borough Council teamswith the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust to explore the history of the canal and the surrounding area, including Reading Abbey.
The event sees live performances, workshops, activities, and talks within the ruins of the abbey and Forbury Gardens.
The Global Festival Stage will see musical performances from Dolly and the Clothespegs, Selina and the Howlin Dogs, Left Foot Forward, Wolf Note, and Mandolinquents, while the Floating stage will play host to Maud’s Dog, Thomas Heppell, Daughter of the Water, and Damien A Passmore.
The Acoustic Stage at the Abbey Ruins will welcome performances from Theatre of Personality, Ukrainian dance ensembles Zorya and Balamuty, The Avenue, Readiophonics, Simon Mayor and Hilary James, and Long Lane.
Riverside Walk will see performances from Reading Rock Choir, Drum Circle with Andy, Dan Kemp, a traditional piece from Reading Chinese School, and a performance from Kryla, a choir formed of resettled women from Reading.
Elsewhere, the festival will welcome Ocho, a giant, inflatable, animatronic octopus,
Charity Super.Mkt is also making a return to the town, with a pop-up event at the festival hosting curated collections of pre-owned clothing and accessories.
It comes as part of the event’s focus on sustainability, which also sees a garment upcycling workshop, led by Anurita Chandola, and activities such as a Reclaimed Runway.
There’s also a parade of decorated boats in honour of the festival, a run of specialist stalls along Chestnut Walk, and activities from Reading institutions such as RISC and Jelly Arts.
The event sees food and drink stalls from the likes of Blue Collar Corner, as well as craft and charity stalls and a silent disco in the Abbey Ruins.
Reading’s 36th WaterFest takes place across Reading, including in Forbury Gardens and in The Abbey Ruins, on Saturday, June 28.
Full details are available via: reading.gov.uk/leisure
