THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has announced that its yearly community festival is back, with an extra reason to celebrate this time around.
The Centenary Community Festival 2026 is set to return next month, bringing the local community and the University of Reading together for two days of free, family-friendly entertainment.
Now in its fourth year, this year’s expanded edition will span two venues across two days, with celebrations taking place on the University’s Whiteknights campus and marking the revival of the historic RAG Parade in the heart of Reading town centre.
On Saturday, May 16, the Whiteknights campus events are sponsored by Lloyds, representing a partnership that organisers say has lasted as long as the university itself, as this year marks a century since the University of Reading first banked with Lloyds.
As in previous years, the festival will be packed with family-friendly activities, including live music, street food stalls, sports taster sessions, talks and workshops.
It will also see hands-on research activities across the university campus, which was named Sustainable University of the Year 2025 in recognition of its long-standing commitment to the environment.
Additionally, it will showcase a range of community engagement projects funded through the University’s £250,000 Centenary Grant.
These include art and history trails, immersive experiences, a family bike ride, and a community ‘bioblitz’, which invites visitors to photograph and learn about local flora and fauna.
The following day’s celebrations move into the town centre, where Reading Student Union’s historic RAG (Raising and Giving) Parade returns – a tradition revived as part of the centenary year activities.
The parade, with floats created by student groups and societies, will start at Broad Street Mall, move down the high street and into Forbury Gardens for an afternoon of live entertainment and stalls, in partnership with local charities and sanctuary organisations.
Scott Barton, from Lloyds, said: “We are proud to celebrate 100 years of partnership with the University of Reading, a relationship rooted in our shared commitment to place and long‑term prosperity.
“At Lloyds, we see first‑hand the vital role universities play in driving regional growth, from developing skills to supporting innovation and local communities.
“The Centenary Community Festival brings this partnership to life, and we’re pleased to support this landmark moment.”
Molli Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager at the University of Reading, said: “Our centenary year is about celebrating 100 years of connection between the University and the communities around us – and the Centenary Community Festival is at the heart of that.
“This year we have a real landmark to celebrate together. Whether you’ve been coming to the festival since the beginning or you’ve never visited Whiteknights before, we want this weekend to feel like a moment of shared pride – for our staff and students, for our neighbours and partners, and for everyone who has been part of the University’s story over the past century.
“Come along, discover the research happening on your doorstep, and be part of something truly special.”
Both events are free to attend and open to everyone. The full festival line-up will be announced soon.
More information about the University of Reading’s Centenary Celebrations is available via: reading.ac.uk/community-festival
