What's On Reading

Poster for Reading Haydn Choir "The Creation" concert, with an image of the world, split into tectonic plates and the hands of Adam and God superimposed over the top

Reading Haydn Choir will be tackling Joseph Haydn's The Creation at their next concert.

Considered one of the great choral masterpieces, it remains one of his most popular works. It is noted particularly for the chorus ‘The Heavens are Telling’.

Find out why on 15 November
buff.ly/bUpSLa5

Rude Science logo, and a photo of a man covered in safety equipment attempting to put a plunger into a giant inflatable bottome

What better way to wrap up #halfterm than Rude Science at the Hexagon this Sunday?

This riot of disgusting experiments is designed to entertain youngsters, and at the same time inspire them with a lasting fascination for science.

Book now - whatsonreading.com/rudesci

And at Sub89...
bsky.app/profile/rdgw...

And there's more Halloween Cabaret nights tomorrow, too!

#DragRaceUK star and Reading Drag Royalty Sum Ting Wong is back at The Oakford for "Sum Ting Wicked This Way Comes", joined by fellow DRUK star Veronica Green, plus Sackville Kitchen Disco behind the decks.
whatsonreading.com/venues/oakfo...

Poster for Stand and Deliver Comedy at Reading Biscuit Factory Halloween Cabaret with the comedians' headshots appearing on gravestones

Tonight!
It's the Stand & Deliver Comedy Club Halloween Cabaret, with "Deadliner" Mad Ron (The Third Hardest Man in Uxbridge), musical comedian JoJo Maberly, "dead" comedian Dan Collins and LJ DA FUNK, all held together by your host Rhodri BOOtrick!
whatsonreading.com/venues/stand...

Count von Count from Sesame Street and the number 4

Between your guests, the 4 Play Prog Fest IV and the Magical Mystery Four, its really odd the number of times "four" has come up this weekend!

Montage of gig posters

It's that time of the week again - and this week's WEEKEND GIG GUIDE is a bumper edition with Halloween parties, fundraisers, singalongs, jazz, folk, Beatles and even a festival!

Look & book via whatsonreading.com/themes/weeke...

Jane Austen-patterned ceramics

Fancy A Taste of Jane Austen?

Tomorrow, New Directions College are running a unique immersive festive workshop, combining historical cooking and ceramics - make a traditional plum pudding and craft a ceramic platter to serve it on.
whatsonreading.com/venues/new-d...

Bhangra Dance Class banner with a gold background and cartoon images of Bhangra performers, along with info about the classes

Reading Bhangra Group are back with another block of classes to see out the year, starting next week.

Open to all ages, genders, and abilities, these fun and friendly classes give you the chance to learn Bhangra basics, meet new people and burn off a few calories while you do it!
buff.ly/oS7G4SB

Joey from FRIENDS at an audition surrounded by other actors who look and are dressed like him

Fancy getting up on stage? There are readthroughs and auditions coming up for:

Shinfield Players Theatre - "A Bunch of Amateurs" and "The Great British Bake Off Musical" in Nov
Progress Theatre - this season's Writefest and "The Picture of Dorian Gray" in Nov & Dec.
whatsonreading.com/auditions

Oh, we didn't forget. We just ran out of characters!

Poster for The Shadow Shuffle punk festival, listing the bands performing

Poster for The Crazy Cowboy festival 11, listing the bands performing

And they've got plenty more fests planned for next year, too.
Specifically, May.
Specifically, the bank holiday weekends.
The Shadow Shuffle on 3 May
whatsonreading.com/venues/face-...
And Crazy Cowboy Festival on 24 May
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Poster detailing the bands playing on day 1 of Reading Rising 2025

Poster detailing the bands playing on day 2 of Reading Rising 2025

And on 15 & 16 November, Reading Rising returns for a massive two-day, two-room edition boasting the best in local and not-so-local alt rock, including Still Remains and @milliemanders.bsky.social
whatsonreading.com/venues/readi...
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Poster featuring the 4 Play Prog Fest logo and logos of the bands appearing

The Face Bar isn't just a great place for gigs - it's home to plenty of music festivals too. Including TWO in November!

First up, 4 Play Prog Fest IV - the fourth edition of the prog festival featuring 4 bands playing, including local legends Spriggan Mist
whatsonreading.com/venues/face-...
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TFNation Mini-Con logo

Digital painting of Matthew Holness as Garth Marenghi in a red hood

The Ogretones, a band made up of people dressed in half-baked Shrek character cosplay

Orchestra on stage at the Great Hall in Reading with a film showing behind them

November is quite the month for geeky events - we also have return visits from @tfnationltd.bsky.social, Garth Marenghi, the Ultimate Film Music concert and Shrek tribute band The Ogretones!
whatsonreading.com/themes/geeks...

Craig Charles in a promotional photo for Red Dwarf

In November, it's definitely cold outside, but there will be some kind of atmosphere all right - Craig Charles is the latest guest announcement for this year's Reading Comic Con!

He's DJd #inrdg a few times but this is his first con appearance here!
whatsonreading.com/venues/creed...

Actors on stage - a young woman seated on an armchair next to an older couple on a matching sofa, with two men and two women stood behind them.

Meet the cast for Triangle Players' "Take Away The Lady".

Join them on 6-8 November for some serious (and not so serious) detective work in this unusual suspense play that promises to keep everyone guessing until the very last page!
whatsonreading.com/venues/trian...

Halloween in Reading If you're

Alas, this has had to be postponed due to the Talesman picking up a lurgy on his travels.

But there's still plenty of spooky events this week if you need to scratch that itch
whatsonreading.com/themes/hallo...

Even poster with rum brand logos and images of rum barrels

Shortlisted spirits distributor of the year, Skylark Spirits, are one of Milk's oldest rum pals. And they'll be back at Milk on 12 November for a speciail Rums Of The World tasting event, with Indian, Grenadian, Central and North American rums to try!

Look & book via buff.ly/quU3o3H

String quartet surrounded by candles and pumpkins

Halloween night.
The Great Hall, lit only by candlelight.
And a string quartet, blending classical masterpieces with iconic horror films and TV soundtracks.
This is Candlelight - Halloween Classics, presented by Fever
buff.ly/FlLxCiD

SOUND UP!
Claudia has entered the taproom… and someone’s getting banished

This Halloween, Double-Barrelled Brewery is going full Traitors: deception, drama, and delicious beer (of course!)

Plus there’ll be plenty of games, tricks, and treats to be won!
whatsonreading.com/venues/doubl...

"once up on winter wish" over an image of a fairytale kingdom, against a blue starry background

And it's a big hello to Jaz Dance Productions, who are getting ready for their Christmas show, Once Upon A Winter Wish - a fairytale dance performance coming up on 13 December, giving local young dancers the chance to shine on stage.

whatsonreading.com/venues/jaz-d...

Yattendon Winter Market 2025 poster with a picture of a sculpture on a wooden plinth

Poster for Reading Town Hall Christmas Market with a Christmas wreath-like edge

painted image of Christmas tree decorations with Christmas Market logo

Poster for Calcot Hotel Winter Craft Fayre with a Christmas wreath-like edge

Looking for that special something for that special someone? And want to support local artists, makers and indies?

As we head into peak gift-giving season, we've got the round up of some great markets, fayres and other creative shopportunities all over Reading!
whatsonreading.com/themes/creat...

Poster featuring the Bon Giovi logo of a dagger through a heart

While you might be umming and ahhing about the real thing at Wembley, Bon Giovi - fronted by UK’s leading Bon Jovi impersonator - are coming to the Face Bar next month for a fraction of the price!

whatsonreading.com/venues/club-...

Photo of the two members of Sh!t Theatre, shown from the waist up wearing pink suits with white shirts and black ties, standing in front of a pink backdrop. One of them is holding up a disco ball. Text overlaid reads 'Sh!t Theatre Evita Too Work In Progress, South Street, Tue 28 Oct'.

Join us TONIGHT (Tue 28 Oct) for a brand new version of a hit show, 'Evita Too' by Sh!t Theatre!

“Evita Too is one of the most purely enjoyable times I have had in a theatre in a long time... Go watch" ★★★★★ Musical Theatre Review

Book! whatsonreading.com/evita-too-wip

Autumn LATE at The MERL. Music, drinks, activities. 19 November 2025.

guess which rural history museum is throwing a LATE? guess who's invited?

if you can make it to Reading, we'd love you to join us on 19 Nov for a MERL LATE - with drinks, music, activities & tours - and see The MERL in a whole new light ✨

£5 adults/£3 students

merl.reading.ac.uk/event/autumn...

Poster for Club Reckless: Haunted Headbangs with details about the event and cartoon ghosts and pumpkins

Club Reckless are back at The Face Bar this Friday night for Haunted Headbangs - two rooms of wicked riffs, haunting melodies, and spine-chilling vibes.

Dress in your most alternative, eerie attire and headbang your way through a night of monstrous music and spooky fun!
buff.ly/lhRwbgr

After a smash hit launch at the Edinburgh Festival, Webber! - the hilarious musical from Grant Sharkey about the life and politics of Andrew Lloyd Webber - is going on a quick autumn tour. Including a stop at the Rising Sun Arts Centre on 4 November!

Look & book via buff.ly/AR5iyPJ

Poster for Let It Bleed with five middle-aged men on stage performing, under the logo for the band

And on 28 November it's Let it Bleed, is a dynamic five piece Rolling Stones Tribute - not Stones Clones, but reproduce their music authentically and guarantee to get you on your feet dancing to some Stones classic bangers!
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Poster for the Magical Mystery Four gig, with four squares each showing a black-and-white photo of the four band members

On 1 November, "Reading's Best Beatles Band" The Magical Mystery Four take to the stage.

Part faithful rendition, part loving interpretation, they play hits and faves from across the Fab Four's back catalogue, from Please Please Me to Abbey Road.
whatsonreading.com/venues/butle...
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