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The Reading Thames Festival | 26th – 29th September 2019‎

Mesmerizing show featuring aerial acrobatics, water dives and special effects

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From revolutionary independent female musicians brought together by In Place of War, to Cirque Bijou’s mesmerising outdoor performances, the return of Reading Between The Lines for the next installment of Reading’s medieval history, a conversational meal, a midnight run/walk, classical music from the renowned London Mozart Players, film, history walks, photography exhibitions, promenade theatre from SITELINES and much more.

The Reading Thames Festival takes its inspiration from Reading’s majestic waterways and sets out to create a vibrant, broad appeal arts and cultural festival programme set in venues and unusual outdoor spaces across Reading. Between 6-16 September, Festival-audiences can expect to encounter exhilarating performances and unexpected encounters.
The Reading Thames Festival is back for its second year, bringing together a rich tapestry of artists and performers, venues and unusual outdoor sites across Reading to create exhilarating audience experiences and unexpected encounters. The Festival aims to be a catalyst for collaboration and partnership across Reading’s creative and cultural sector.

The festival aims to be a catalyst for a new spirit of collaboration and partnership across Reading’s creative and cultural sector. The festival brings together the rich tapestry of venues and unusual outdoor sites across Reading to create exhilarating audience experiences and unexpected encounters, illuminating Reading as a place of parks and rivers, culture and diversity.

From revolutionary independent female musicians brought together by In Place of War, to Cirque Bijou’s mesmerising outdoor performances, the return of Reading Between The Lines for the next installment of Reading’s medieval history, a conversational meal, a midnight run/walk, classical music from the renowned London Mozart Players, film, history walks, photography exhibitions, promenade theatre from SITELINES and much more.

The programme includes nationally-renowned performers and the finest Reading-based arts groups working in collaboration to create a unique experience for audiences. Highlights include In Place of War’s GRRRL featuring Charlotte Adigéry – a live music concert with performances from revolutionary independent female artists from Brazil, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Venezuela, Bangladesh and the UK, fusing music from ghetto base to electronica; fresh from their involvement in Lumière London, Cirque Bijou** will be bringing A Circus Soiree, an immersive evening of the most contemporary of circus, to the banks of the Thames at Caversham Court Gardens; renowned philosopher Theodore Zeldin will be hosting a conversational meal, Theodore Zeldin’s Feast of Strangers, on the top floor of Thames Tower; there will be a night-time arts-filled walk through Reading, The Reading Midnight Run; high-quality classical music from the London Mozart Players in the High Sheriff of Berkshire’s Concert; a film trail; film showings and photography.

Reading Between The Lines will be returning for the next theatrical instalment of Reading’s medieval history (dates tbc); there will be heritage walks linked to VOTE 100 and Reading’s Abbey heritage; a new contribution from the SITELINES theatre programme from Laura Mugridge along the Thames and the Flamingods live in the Abbey Ruins, complete with light installation.

Reading Thames Festival is a Reading UK production with support from the Great Place scheme funded by Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic England. The Festival has also received generous funding from Two Forbury Place, The Oracle shopping centre, Graham and Joanna Barker, Savills, PRS Foundation and support from Reading Buses, Landid, VOTE 100 and Reading Borough Council.

Anna Doyle, Festival Director, said: “The festival this year is welcoming new artists from across the UK to respond to Reading’s communities, its locale and is a celebration of the area’s home-grown, world-class local cultural talent. We are proud to connect to Vote 100 nationwide celebrations in which 2018 marks 100 years since Parliament passed a law which allowed the first women, and all men, to vote for the first time. The festival programme is conceived to be developed across the next years with the local community, and this year there are plenty of ways for people living and working in Reading to get involved with shaping the festival. To find out more please visit the website.”

Nigel Horton-Baker, Executive Director, Reading UK said: “After the success of the first Festival last year, we are really excited by the programme for 2018 which mixes many of our finest cultural groups with performers of international repute. Over 10 days in September, the Reading Thames Festival will showcase Reading, its vibrant cultural community and its growing stature as a cultural destination.”

The Reading Thames Festival was conceived by Reading UK as a legacy event from Reading’s Year of Culture in 2016. It aims to be a catalyst for collaboration and partnership across Reading’s creative and cultural sector, illuminating Reading as a place of culture, diversity, rivers and parks.

Tickets will be on sale for each individual event. Many of the events are free and where ticket prices apply, they have been set to make the Festival as accessible as possible.

Future Vision The festival, as a part of Reading Place of Culture Great Place, has funding secured for the next three years. The vision for the festival across the forthcoming years is to go beyond the traditional festival model to demonstrate its commitment to supporting the cultural and local economy. Through working in partnership, the festival will not only act as an advocate but as an instigator for new talent and cultural development.

The Festival is organised by Reading UK, but we couldn’t do it without the support of a great many other organisations, particularly the Reading Great Place scheme, funded by Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic England.

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Events

The Countdown to GuilFest Is On – Don’t Miss Out!

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Guilfest 2025

Summer is just around the corner, and that can only mean one thing – GuilFest is nearly here! With early bird tickets flying off the shelves and last year’s event completely sold out, now is the time to secure your spot for a weekend bursting with music, fun, and feel-good summer energy.

A Line-up to Remember

This year’s musical line-up promises to be nothing short of spectacular. From legendary chart-toppers to crowd-pleasing favourites, GuilFest 2025 brings a dazzling variety of acts to the stage. Get ready to dance your socks off to music from The Jacksons, Razorlight, and Soul II Soul! Join in on the infectious vibe of the Stereo MC’s and take in the legends that brought us all the hits we love – like Leo Sayer and The Bay City Rollers, and more under wraps!

So, whether your thing is soulful grooves, catchy indie anthems, or noises from your youth, there’s something for everyone on the line up!

More Than Just Music

But GuilFest is not only about the music – it is a full weekend experience whatever your age. Families will love the variety of entertainment provided for the little ones. There are two very special guests this year – Bluey on Saturday 5th July and Peppa Pig on Sunday 6th July – meet and greets that your children will remember and you will want to get some snaps of those special moments.

Whether you’re on the stage or in the family zones, GuilFest has a delightful offering of food and drink stalls, comedy performances, wellness zones, craft market, and much, much more – ensuring that the stage is set for a sunny, fun-filled weekend of music and community.

Don’t Miss Out

If you’ve been thinking about making your summer plans, now is your chance. With tickets going fast, don’t miss out on what is expected to be the best GuilFest yet.

So, grab some mates, rally the family, do what you need to do, and get ready for a weekend to remember! Get your tickets, let the countdown to GuilFest 2025 begin!

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Events

Sensations of the Solstice at Wasing (Review – 2025)

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Solstice At Wasing - Artist - Âpe Chimba 7 - Photo Credit @Wasing1759

We’d heard Solstice at Wasing, near Reading, was a festival of interest. Seeing it celebrates the rites of summer and vaguely interested we went along on Fri.  

Wow. 

What a beautiful festival.  From entering through a leafy canopy of trees and jungle-covered ‘corridor through to the main ‘stage’ – a creation of the tallest of trees surrounding the band and their entranced audience.  Honestly, of all the festivals we have been to over the years, this is one of the prettiest.  

Things we particularly loved.  

• The wild swimming and sauna – we loved the idea of it,but book early or you’ll be disappointed. And the idea of welcoming the sunrise in at 3, – Oh well, next year….

• The Sweet and stylish independent sellers – We particularly loved the clothes by Challo

• Salif Keita – hearing that richest of voices ring out amongst the shades of green was particularly amazing

Solstice At Wasing - Artist - Salif Keita 3 - Photo Credit @Wasing1759
Solstice At Wasing – Artist – Salif Keita 3 – Photo Credit @Wasing1759

• Anoushka Shankar’s spellbinding set – a mesmerising journey through her trilogy of mini-albums, blending classical sitar with bold, contemporary sounds. Her performance beneath the trees created a moment of pure magic.

Solstice At Wasing - Artist - Anoushka Shankar 2 - Photo Credit @Wasing1759
Solstice At Wasing – Artist – Anoushka Shankar 2 – Photo Credit @Wasing1759


• Moonji’s ice-cream – it’s the smallest touches that this festival has an abundance of, and the taste of Moonjiicecreams has my mouth watering at the memory of them…

• The ambiance – characterised by respect, softness in the best of ways, friendly, clean, Solstice largely seems toattract a different kind of crowd, not looking for the usual excess. (No judgement there on our part, – ever). 

The candles and coves, the perfectly choreographed havens and hammocks. This intimately special festival really is a stunner.

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Events

Celebrate the Magic of the Solstice at Wasing’s Woodland Haven this Weekend

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Solstice At Wasing

On Friday, June 20th, people around the world will be celebrating the summer solstice under the same sky — truly an event that connects us all, regardless of borders or time zones. Wasing’s secluded forests offer the opportunity for a weekend filled with live music, shared experiences, and pure elemental magic.

From lush grooves to soulful melodies, the team has curated a rich and vibrant programme made up of artists from all over the world. Some of the key acts include James Blake, Anoushka Shankar, Salif Keita, Alex Serra, Âpe Chimba, The Egg, Sam Lee, Nubiyan Twist, K.O.G., The Turbans, Afrosideral, Tritha, Skyrager (Psychemagik), Omer Gonen-Haela, ÆVERY, Di-Pod, Mira Khanya, Rebecca Dennis, Chris Park, Jill Purce, Rupert Sheldrake, Soul Revolution, Wonderment and Wider Horizons. For the full line up head to www.wasing.co.uk/solstice,

A highlight of the weekend will be the Sunrise Ceremony; a ceremony of people together to receive the first rays of the sun – to celebrate renewal, oneness and nature’s power to inspire awe. As day yields to night, the Sacred Glade awakens a midnight fire, with intimate performances under a sky filled with stars bringing together wilderness, art and community.

We’re proud to be supporting Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) — an extraordinary humanitarian organisation delivering life-saving care all over the world, wherever it’s needed most. With every ticket you buy, we’ll donate £2 directly to Médecins Sans Frontières (UK) (registered charity number 1026588), helping them continue their vital work across more than 70 countries.

Tickets
Grab your spot for the weekend — whether you want to come just for a day or stay for it all.

Vehicle Pass
If you’re driving to the festival, please make sure you book a vehicle pass in advance.

Tipi Accommodation
Tipis can be reserved here and are completely set up with beds, linen, lighting and a supply of local water, toilet and shower facilities. Take your own towels and provisions, and reserve your festival and vehicle passes separately.

Camping
Access to our campsite is included with all Solstice festival tickets on a bring your own tent or campervan basis. The campsite opens at 12pm on Friday 20th June and closes at 4pm on Saturday 21st June.

If you are bringing a vehicle, please purchase a campsite vehicle pass here
The campsite facilities include toilets & access to drinking water.

Accessibility
For all access information, please see the [accessibility guide]. Tickets for accessible events must be accompanied by appropriate documentation and submitted to events@wasing.co.uk 3 weeks from the booking date. All ages are welcome; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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