What's On Reading

A big ogre A big fancy dress party Is Ogrepalooza with the Ogretones - the UK's only Shrek soundtrack tribute band - a Halloween event? Or just coincidental timing? Figure it out for yourself this Thursday whatsonreading.com/venues/sub89... youtu.be/zuXPRZ13Qpk?...

🍻+🫖+🧀+🎶🎵+🫵 It's nearly that time again for another Reading town centre come-all-ye at the convivial Castle Tap (120 Castle St, Reading RG1 7RJ, ///behave.degree.remit). From 8pm on Wednesday 28th October. See you there! @rdgwhatson.bsky.social @acespacenewbury.bsky.social @readifolk.bsky.social

Our next guest night is a welcome return to the club of Baum, Maggs and Taylor on Sunday 8th November. #SundayNight #FolkMusicNight in #TheDing @rdgwhatson.bsky.social @acespacenewbury.bsky.social

Dr Harriet Lyon is the JH Plumb College Lecturer and Fellow in British History at Christ's College, University of Cambridge. She'll be the guest speaker this Saturday at the Friends of Reading Abbey AGM/lecture, covering the "afterlives of the dissolution of the monasteries" buff.ly/FxNMjux

Looking for a free half term activity? Come along to the Agatha Christie exhibition. Along with the exhibits we have colouring, a game to match the book to the correct detective, and a jigsaw to help with! Open this week Tues-Thurs 9-5 and Fri 9-4.30. Hope to see you there 😊

It's official, Halloween Half Term is here! If you've got little ones aged 3+ years, treat them to Theatre of Widdershins brilliant mix of spellbinding storytelling, charming puppetry and mesmerising transforming sets. 'The Elves & The Shoemaker', Thu 29 Oct 11.30am & 2pm!

Aren't we lucky - this week we got an extra hour on Sunday and an extra DAY at @readingmuseum.bsky.social

The University of Reading’s Black History Month Community Fete - their flagship event for the Month - comes to the Broad Street Mall on Sat 31 Oct, bringing people together and showcasing the organisations, businesses and individuals who make a positive difference across our town. buff.ly/iwhucSH

Have you heard this month's #podcast? We have two Nicks - one for comedy, and one for drama! 🎭 Nick 1 is from Mates Rates Comedy Club Nick 2 is from Reading Rep Theatre And they're both passionate about making a true home for their respective artforms! buff.ly/TGEQbSC

There's a classic Motown song "There's a Ghost In My House". It's a corker. And apparently it's all the Mark II need as a hook to do a gig on 31 October. So join Reading's fave soul and Motown covers band - horns, Hammond, the lot - for a night of floorfillers buff.ly/pSYGIBX

Wagner, Zimmer, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius’s Second, this Saturday. Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra’s Myths and Legends, Great Hall, Reading, 7.30pm. #Reading #ClassicalMusic #rdguk @rdgwhatson.bsky.social cheeselogs.co.uk/2026/10/21/a...

On 26 Oct, Reading u3a welcome professional musicians Adrian and Jane Smith for a talk about their life in classical and pop music, in concerts, TV and film and with many famous celebrities. And they'll even their instruments along to accompany the stories. whatsonreading.com/venues/readi...

It may be the beginning of half-term, but there are no half-measures with our WEEKEND GIG GUIDE - punk iconoclasts, pop princesses, folk, jazz, rock and much more! Feat. @southstreetarts.bsky.social, @purpleturtlerdg.bsky.socialm, @readifolk.bsky.social + more whatsonreading.com/themes/weeke...

In case you've not spotted it this morning already, the site is back up and running. Our web-hosting partners did a bang-up job protecting the site last night and you can use it as freely and confidently as you ever have! Thanks for your patience.

4 + 88 = 92 Fab Four + 88 keys on the piano = the Beatles Piano Recital, performed by Yunuscan Kaya at Reading Minster this Friday, 23 October, with loads of Beatles tunes arranged for solo piano. Look & book - buff.ly/iD4Uw1t

The big Diwali celebrations planned for this Saturday have been pushed back a few weeks to avoid the forecast stormy weather. Kala The Arts, their puppets, musicians, dancers and lights will now take over the town centre on 7 November whatsonreading.com/venues/kala-...

You’ve watched the documentaries. You’ve heard the theories. Now watch What's The Game?! make the rest up. Join them on 30 Oct for completely improvised true-crime investigations, inspired by the twists, turns and outrageous characters - and your suggestions! whatsonreading.com/venues/whats...

Two titans of manding music Habib Koité & Sura Susso are here tomorrow (Thu 22 Oct) with a full band, ready to fill South Street with uplifting vibrant sounds! Manding Melody, presented by African Night Fever, kicks off at 8pm😊🎶 whatsonreading.com/manding-melody

It might be a bit early for Halloween, but this Saturday, 24 Oct, offers a pair of spooky dancefloor events where you can do the monster mash a week early. At Purple Turtle, it's a Thriller-themed day party At The Rising Sun Arts Centre, it's the 1/4 Lyfe Crisis Halloween Rave buff.ly/vhU8ecB

Woodcote Food Fair comes to Woodcote Village Hall and the adjoining Village Car Park this Sunday, 25 October with over 30 local and regional producers will be offering up their wares. For immediate culinary delights there's street food, hot toddies and pop-up tea room. TASTY. buff.ly/GGDm198

This Thursday's edition of Divalicious is brought to you by the three Bs. No, not "beer, biscuits and bulbs" But rather BINGO BELTING out a song at karaoke and things that go BUMP in the night Because it's the Halloween special, so be sure to dress, play and sing appropriately. buff.ly/jCCdNWZ

One of the big traditions of spooky season, the Halloween Trail at Caversham Court Gardens returns on 31 Oct and 1 Nov, offering atmospheric spirits, frights and ghouls. There will be over 20 creepy displays to discover, including lots of new ones plus some old favourites. buff.ly/lALYhET

The History of Reading Society are holding their October meeting this Wednesday, where Caroline Piller will tell us about 'The Last Horse Dealer in Reading: Oliver Dixon' - how he built a flourishing business in Earley, securing deals with royalty and the military. whatsonreading.com/venues/histo...

It's almost time for The Castle Tap's annual Autumn Beer & Cider Festival - four days with extended line-up of cask and keg beers, ciders and perries. Plus a big beer fest quiz and live music from Benjamin Lewes and Left Foot Forward. Raise a glass 22-25 Oct: whatsonreading.com/venues/castl...

No typical underground show at @purpleturtlerdg.bsky.social tonight - instead we're going to party like it's 2006 with the epic return of The Race, plus musical stalwart Steve Morano and ex-Rebus Chris Fellowes on the DJ decks.

The Rotary Charity Art & Craft Fair is back this weekend, offering up another wonderful selection of artworks from local artists, who'll be generously donating 25% of their sales to charity. Preview evening on Fri 23 at 7pm, exhibition proper Sat 23 & Sun 24 from 10am buff.ly/94UpLat

Hot Earth Records and WK Live are back at the @purpleturtlerdg.bsky.social this Wednesday for a night of alternative live music, bringing three brilliant DIY three-pieces to the stage - Dublin's Really Good Time, Bournemouth's Leeches and Reading's own doops. buff.ly/z3MulmG

Before this next week is done, half-term will be very much with us. Fortunately, we've got a bumper list of things for kids, teens and families to do - including loads of cracking events and activities in the first weekend! buff.ly/BOQfOnB

On 28 October, Reading Central Library hosts Farnham Maltings' delightful new adaptation of The Tailor of Gloucester, packed with live music that blends rock and pop, inventive puppetry, jokes, mischief and surprises Perfect for kids aged 4+ and their adults - buff.ly/beA91ja

Dracula may have hung up his cape, but there's more on-stage action to be found at Reading Rep Theatre this month - and beyond. We caught up with Nick to talk about the upcoming Two Halves of Guinness and their all-new adaptation of Christmas Carol in our latest #podcast buff.ly/TGEQbSC

The Woodley And Earley Arts Group Autumn Exhibition should be in full swing by now - and in continues throughout the weekend. See some art, see some artists, maybe take something home. (Art, that is - not an artist. Obvs) whatsonreading.com/venues/woodl...