Reading Festival Prep: Planning Ahead for a Smooth Experience
With 100,000 people expected to attend the Reading Festival, residents and festivalgoers are urged to plan ahead for longer travel times and potential disruptions.
The Reading Festival is just around the corner, and with it comes the expected influx of around 100,000 people to the town centre. To mitigate potential disruptions, Reading Borough Council is advising both residents and festivalgoers to plan ahead for their travels.
## Festival Details The festival will run from Thursday 27 August to Sunday 30 August, with the majority of attendees expected to settle in on Saturday and Sunday. As a result, shops and supermarkets are likely to be busier than usual, so it's a good idea to stock up on essentials beforehand.
To help manage the large number of visitors, parking restrictions will be in place around the Richfield Avenue site, including no stopping for pick-ups. Instead, Hills Meadow Car Park will serve as the dedicated area for drop-offs and pick-ups, with free shuttle buses available to transport attendees to the site.
Additional festival car parking will be available at Kings Meadow and Mapledurham, with a pedestrian bridge built at the latter to ensure easy and safe access. At Kings Meadow, an official festival boat service will be provided free of charge for those heading to the site.
## Travel and Access For those planning to travel to the festival, it's essential to note that the Thames Path will be closed between Scours Lane and the far end of Thameside Promenade from 19:00 to 06:00 on Thursday to Monday. To help navigate the area, the council and festival organisers have produced official travel information, which can be found on their websites.
## Staying Informed Sound testing will take place on Thursday and each day of the festival before live shows, under the direct supervision of council officers. For residents who want to offer comments or raise queries during the event, a special hotline number (020 8080 1518) is available, which will be answered from 09:00 to 17:00 on 26 August and then 24 hours a day from 09:00 on 27 August until 15:00 on 31 August. Alternatively, residents can use the council-run email address ReadingFestivalHotline@reading.gov.uk, which will be regularly checked throughout the festival.
The festival's organisers have also been given permission to host music on its main stage on Thursdays from 2027, which is likely to impact future festival planning. By being aware of these details and planning ahead, residents and festivalgoers can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.
