Record-breaking 57 Street Parties in Reading as town hosts four-day Jubilee extravaganza in June

READING is set to host a four-day extravaganza of events, parties and activities this June, in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, including a record-breaking 57 community street parties.

As well as the plethora of street parties organised by residents themselves after the Council waived its usual road closure fee, events on offer include a Beacon Lighting Ceremony and Jubilee beacon trail, a tribute concert in the Abbey Ruins, Water Fest festival and Children’s Concert in the Forbury Gardens, as well as a whole host of other events and activities across the borough.

Join the festivities as Reading marks the occasion with a series of unmissable events across the town, including a four-day bank holiday weekend. Highlights to look out for:

• The Jubilee Beacon Trail, running Saturday 14 May – Sunday 5 June.  Take part in our royal-themed augmented reality (AR) trail in Reading. Find seven magical characters on a day trip from Buckingham Palace. To learn more or start the trail, go to jubileebeacontrail.com

• Beacon Lighting Ceremony, with music from the Reading Scottish Pipe Band and Reading Male Voice Choir, Thursday 2 June, 9.15 pm in the Abbey Ruins. Part of a country-wide celebration in which 1,500 beacons will be lit in recognition of the Queen’s service, bringing communities across the globe together to pay tribute. Free event but ticketed due to the limited spaces available. To book a ticket please visit the following web link from the 6 May (when tickets will be released) www.whatsonreading.com/jubilee.  Also available to watch virtually.

• The Jubilee Tribute Concert, Friday 3 June, 4.30 pm in the Abbey Ruins. The top UK tribute bands, including Queen, The Beatles and George Michael, come together for a night under the stars to celebrate the Jubilee in one of Reading's most prestigious heritage sites. Book tickets at fatsoma.com/e/brrxqj5r/the-jubilee-tribute-show-abbey-ruins-reading  

• Reading Water Fest, Saturday 4 June, 11 am – 5 pm in the Forbury Gardens, Abbey Ruins and along the Kennet, between Chestnut Walk and the Riverside Museum.  Reading’s flagship Jubilee event. Come along to this free festival to enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities and refreshments, Blue Collar street food, water activities, narrow boats, craft and charity stalls and lots more! reading.gov.uk/waterfest

• Trinity Concert Band Jubilee Children’s Concert, Sunday 5 June 3 pm – 4.30 pm in the Forbury Gardens. As the concluding event as part of this year’s Reading Children’s Festival and Jubilee celebrations, Trinity Concert Band will be performing a free children’s concert at the Forbury Bandstand. Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it. reading.gov.uk/childrensfest

• Jubilee Street Parties: A bumper 57 streets across Reading will be celebrating the Platinum Jubilee with their very own street party between Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June.

Between 28 May and 4 June, Reading Museum is also offering three exciting workshops running during the half term to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee as well as the 200th anniversary of Huntley & Palmers’ biscuits. For a royal experience in the build-up to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the new portrait of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge will also be on display at the museum as part of the Duchess's 40th birthday celebrations. The stunning portrait will be on display until Saturday 4 June. www.readingmuseum.org.uk/holiday-fun-reading-museum

Opening on 26 May, Berkshire Record Office presents ‘Happy and Glorious’ - an exhibition celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and her longstanding connection with Berkshire. https://whatsonreading.com/venues/berkshire-record-office/whats-on/happy-and-glorious

During May and June, Reading Libraries are offering a whole host of Jubilee-themed craft sessions across local branches and on 3 August will offer a special Jubilee Rhymetime in the Forbury, with two free sessions, one before and one after lunch. Children are invited to wear a crown or tiara (or even full fancy dress) as we’ll be singing some Royal songs as well as some old rhymetime favourites! www.reading.gov.uk/libraries

Donna Pentelow, Reading’s Assistant Director of Culture, said: “As we all come together to celebrate the Queen’s lifetime of service as part of her Platinum Jubilee, I’m delighted by the wide range of wonderful events and activities we are hosting in Reading.

“Not only do we have an exciting Beacon Lighting Ceremony and beacon trail to look forward to, but we’ve also got Reading’s flagship festival, Water Fest, on the Saturday to mark the Jubilee which is always free and jam-packed with events. Finally, to honour the occasion, there will be joyous concerts over the long weekend. If tribute acts are your thing, book your tickets now for the Jubilee Tribute Concert in the Abbey Ruins, or chill out on Sunday with a picnic in the Forbury Gardens, listening to the Trinity Concert Band’s Jubilee Children’s Concert.

“Check out the range of fun activities on offer from Reading Museum and Reading Libraries and don’t forget to look up the royal-themed exhibition on offer from Berkshire Record Office.

“And on top of that, we have made it easy for local residents and communities to organise a street party and celebrate Her Majesty’s incredible record of public service by waiving the usual road closure fees. I wish all the communities hosting a record-breaking 57 street parties across Reading that weekend a fabulous time!”