One of Reading’s most popular community events is back this May – and this year it comes with a century’s worth of reasons to celebrate.
The Centenary Community Festival 2026, taking place across the weekend of Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2026, will bring the local community and the University of Reading together for two days of free, family-friendly entertainment.
Now in its fourth year, the festival has grown into one of the town’s most anticipated events. This year’s expanded edition spans two venues across two days, with Saturday’s celebrations taking place on the University’s Whiteknights campus, and Sunday marking the revival of the historic RAG Parade in the heart of Reading town centre.
Saturday 16 May: Centenary Community Festival
Whiteknights campus | 12:00–17:00
Saturday’s festival on the Whiteknights campus is sponsored by Lloyds, representing a partnership that has lasted as long as the University itself. 2026 marks a century since the University of Reading first banked with Lloyds, making this sponsorship a milestone in its own right.
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.”
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, and hands-on research activities across the University’s picturesque campus, which was named Sustainable University of the Year 2025 in recognition of its long-standing commitment to the environment.
This year’s festival will also 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.
Sunday 17 May: RAG parade and entertainment
Forbury Gardens, Reading town centre | 12:00–17:00
Sunday’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, bringing students and the community together. 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.
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.
Find more information about the Centenary Community Festival 2026 on our website.
Alumni activities
Throughout the Centenary Community Festival weekend, the University will be hosting exclusive alumni activities, including a lunch reception, pub quiz, and afternoon tea. All alumni are welcome at these events, offering the chance to reminisce over shared history and celebrate the centenary together.
All activities are free to attend, but booking is essential. More information about alumni activities.
