In the midst of it all is the opportunity to pause, take stock and enjoy mulled wine or hot chocolate, toast marshmallows and enjoy the sights around.

The event runs from Saturday, 15 November through to Sunday, 4 January, and is wheelchair friendly. There are various sessions taking place across the season and should be booked in advance. Prices are £11.95 off-peak and £12.95 peak, or £7.95 for under 16s off-peak and £8.95 peak. Toddlers and babies aged two and under get in free.

For more details, log on to: https://www.illuminatereading.co.uk/

The Christmas light switch-on

More than 800,000 lights make up Reading’s impressive festive displays, across Broad Street, Friar Street and Station Road. The uniquely Ding-themed lights were introduced last year and features images related to the history and culture of the town, including Huntley and Palmers and Henry I.

To celebrate, a day of fun is planned from 2pm on Saturday, 15 November, centred around the area outside Marks & Spencer in Broad Street. The lights will be switched on from 5pm. While you’re waiting it’s an opportunity to explore the Broad Street Christmas market. Once again, wooden shacks will be set up offering gifts, customised items, and seasonal snacks including toasted marshmallows, bratwurst, waffles, cookies and some gluhwein.

For more details, log on to visit-reading.com

Festive Markets

The University of Reading is holding its annual Winter Festival event on Thursday, 27 November. Running from 5.30pm-8pm in the area around the Palmer Building on its Whiteknights Campus, there will be music, singing, food and drink, family fun and seasonal surprises. Entry is free.

For more details, log on to: https://www.reading.ac.uk/events/Feed/2025/November/Winter-Festival-2025

Head north of the river when Caversham shopkeepers are set to hold a special late-night shopping evening on Friday, 5 December.

The annual event runs until 9pm and promises a lot more than just the stores staying open until later. There will be a visit from reindeer, live entertainment, performances from choirs, mulled wine and other seasonal refreshments, and a Christmas market with stallholders offering unique and specially created gifts.

Add in Christmas lights and a special Reverse Santa event at Fourbears Books, and there is something all ages to enjoy.

For more details, visit Visit Caversham’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Choosecaversham/

Similar events take place in Twyford and Crowthorne on the same evening.

Woodley Town Centre will feature its annual Christmas Extravanganza on Sunday, 7 December. The busy event features stalls and games from local groups, performances from choirs and youth theatre troops, walking entertainments, street food, and a very busy Santa’s grotto. It runs from 10am to 3pm. For more details, log on to: https://www.woodleytowncentre.co.uk/

Christmas Craft Markets

Reading has a large community of crafters who create some of the most exquisite items that you won’t find anywhere else. There will be several opportunities to purchase a unique gift.

St Luke’s Church Hall in Erleigh Road is hosting a two-day artists’ fair called Hopes and Dreams.

It’s an opportunity to meet artists, support them by buying their work including Christmas cards, decorations and fairy houses. Refreshments including homemade cake will be available and digital artist Leslee Barron will be selling copies of her unique Reading calendar for 2026, and there will be a photography exhibition to enjoy.

It is open from 10am-4pm on Saturday, 15 November and noon-4pm on Sunday, 16 November. Entry is free.

MADEByTamalia Art Sanctuary is holding its event on Sunday, 16 November. Running between 10am and 3.30pm, there will be more than 40 creatives showcasing their gift ideas, a visit from Santa, children’s activities and seasonal refreshments.

This will be held at Creativ.Spaces Art Studio & Event Spaces, in Southview Business Park, off Marsack Street in Caversham. Entry is free.

For more details, log on to: https://www.facebook.com/MADEbyTamalia/

In addition to the Broad Street Christmas market which runs until the big day, there will be a festive event at Reading Town Hall and Museum on Saturday, 22 November, between 10.30am and 4.30pm.

The free entry event is promised to be its biggest Christmas market yet. While exploring the stalls, it’s an opportunity to visit The Pantry Café, which offers a range of snacks and meals.  

For more details, log on to: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/reading-town-hall-christmas-market-2025

The Rising Sun Arts Centre in Silver Street holds regular markets that connect artists with the public. Its festive version will be held on Sunday, 6 December between 11am and 4pm. It’s quite the attraction: handmade gifts and unique artworks are available to buy, while there are festive-themed activities for all ages to enjoy. Add in homemade snacks from its café and mulled wine and it is a fun day for the family.

Reading’s art collective jelly, based in Broad St. Mall, is hosting its festive ArtShop on Sunday, 14 December between noon and 4pm.

The free entry event gives people a chance to explore art, and buy prints, sculptures, paintings, needlework, and gifts created by Reading-based artists and designers, as well as finding more about how the pieces were created.

For more details, log on to: https://www.jelly.org.uk/artshop2025

 

Christmas Concerts and Carols

For the ultimate feelgood Christmas carol events, people just need to head to Broad Street on most Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas – and several other days beside – as the Salvation Army Band will perform much-loved carols. They will also accept donations for their work.

Choirs will be performing festive concerts in the run-up to the big day.

Reading housing charity Launchpad will be holding its annual carol event hosted by patron Matt Allwright on Tuesday, 2 December from 6pm. It takes place in Reading Town Hall, and features performances from Universal Voices and Tonyx Choir. For details, log on to: launchpadreading.org.uk

Reading Minster Church in St Mary’s Butts will be a popular spot for Christmas events as many groups like to use it for its acoustics and being central to the town centre.

The NHS Christmas Concert will be held there on Friday, 5 December from 7pm, and is hosted by ITV Meridian’s Sangeeta Bhabra. Choirs include Sing For Fun, Glee Choir and Avenue. Tickets cost £10. For details, visit WhatsOnReading.com https://whatsonreading.com/venues/royal-berks-charity/whats-on/nhs-christmas-concert-reading-minster-0

The following day, Saturday, 6 December, adoption charity PACT will hold a family-friendly event in the St Mary’s Butts church. Starting with refreshments at 3pm, it will feature a mixture of seasonal songs, Christmas reflections and performances. Tickets cost £3 for children, £12 for adults. For more details, log on to: https://www.pactcharity.org/support-us/carols2025/

Also on Saturday, 6 December, Concerts in Caversham presents its annual Christmas Concert by Candelight featuring its ensemble. Starting at 7.30pm, the popular event will feature seasonal music, carols and more. Tickets cost £26, £24 for over 60s, £18 for ages 16-24, and free for under 16s. For more details, log on to: http://www.concertsincaversham.co.uk/

The following day, Sunday, 7 December, Tamesis Chamber Choir perform Advent Into Christmas at Our Lady and St Anne’s church in Caversham. The programme includes classical Christmas favourites, and some more modern favourites. It takes place from 4pm, and tickets cost £14 or £5 for concessions. For details, log on to: https://tamesischamberchoir.com/

Parenthesis, which rehearses on Saturday mornings, will be holding a festive concert in conjunction with The Abbey School Choir featuring a mixture of seasonal tunes. It will take place on Sunday, 7 December, and full details have yet to be announced, for the latest, log on to: https://parenthesis.org.uk/

Reading Festival Chorus is holding a Come and Sing Carols event at Wesley Methodist Church Hall on Monday, 8 December. For more details, log on to: http://www.readingfestivalchorus.org.uk

The Reading Lunchtime Choir will perform a concert from 1.15pm on Wednesday, 10 December. This will be held at Park United Reformed Church on Wokingham Road. For more details

Reading Minster is the venue for The Christmas Orchestra, featuring music from Christmas films such as Home Alone, the Muppets Christmas Carol, The Polar Express, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Elf. The show is performed at 6pm and 8.30pm on Friday, 12 December and Saturday, 13 December. For more details, log on to: www.thechristmasorchestra.co.uk

Reading Phoenix Choir presents its carol concert from 3pm on Saturday, 13 December at St Mary’s Church in Castle Street, Reading. Tickets cost £10, and under 16s get in free. Details: https://www.readingphoenixchoir.com/Carols25

Stepping Into Christmas is the title for The Reading A440 Choir’s seasonal concert, from 3.30pm on Saturday, 13 December. It will be held at Caversham Heights Methodist Church in Highmore Road and feature a special guest appearance from Kryla, a Ukranian women’s choir. Tickets cost £15, £12 concessions, £5 for children aged five or over. For more details, log on to: https://a440choir.org.uk/concerts/

Twyford Singers Christmas Concert is from 4pm on Saturday, 13 December. Taking place at St Mary’s Church in Twyford, tickets cost £15, or £5 for under 18s. For details, visit: http://twyford-singers.org.uk

Queen Anne’s School in Caversham will be the venue for the South Chiltern Choral Society’s Christmas concert on Saturday, 13 December from 7pm. They will perform with The Hill Primary School. For details, log on to: https://www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk/

Trinity Concert Band will perform a Christmas concert from 4pm on Sunday, 14 December. Held at Reading Minster Church,

Reading Bach Choir’s annual Come and Sing carols event will be held at St Andrew’s Church in Caversham on Tuesday, 16 December from 7.30pm. The event includes homemade treats to enjoy while joining in with the seasonal music. Tickets can be bought on the door and are £5, under 18s get in free. For more details, log on to www.readingbachchoir.org.uk

Vivace Voices will be giving its Christmas concert at St Mary’s Church in Burghfield from 2.30pm on Wednesday, 17 December. It will raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association and is followed by a buffet tea. For details, log on to: https://www.vivacevoices.uk/

On the weekend before Christmas, the Refugee Support Group will welcome the Reading Community Gospel Choir to perform songs from Handel’s Messiah, at Reading Minster Church on Friday, 19 December from 7pm. Tickets cost £12.50-£15, or £10 for concessions. For details, log on to: https://refugeesupportgroup.org.uk/

The University of Reading’s Great Hall is the venue for a screening of the Raymond Briggs classic film The Snowman. The animation will feature music performed by the English Pro Musica Orchestra. They will also present some seasonal festive music and invite audiences to join in. It takes place from 2.30pm on Saturday, 20 December. For more details, log on to: https://www.jenmatproductions.co.uk

Later that day, the Reading Male Voice Choir will team up with Occasions Singers for a Christmas concert in Reading Minster Church. Starting at 5pm, tickets are £7.50. For details, log on to: https://rmvc.net/Concert-Minster-Christmas/

Thames Voyces Christmas Concert will be held at St John’s Church in Waterloo Road, Crowthorne from 4pm on Saturday, 20 December. Seasonal music, readings and refreshments are all on offer. For more details, log on to: https://www.thamesvoyces.org.uk/

Pantomime and Festive Plays

The Shinfield Players will present an adaptation of It’s A Wonderful Life between November 19-22. Set in New York, 1945, the play focuses on George Bailey, a banker who feels that life has passed him by. Can a guardian angel give him a fresh perspective on the world around him? For more details, log on to https://www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk/

Reading Rep Theatre on Kings Road has given Charles Dickens’ famous festive tale a Reading twist: this is A Christmas Carol set among the familiar backdrop of Huntley & Palmers. The show runs from November 28, through to January 3.

For more details, log on to: https://www.readingrep.com/

The Hexagon’s festive pantomime this year is Beauty and the Beast. Once again starring CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse as the dame, the show also features the new digital sets introduced last year.

Performances run from Saturday, 6 December through to Sunday, 4 January, and audiences can expect slapstick comedy, audience interaction, stunning songs, and plenty of magical surprises.

For more details, log on to: https://whatsonreading.com/beautyandthebeast

And don’t forget Reading’s Toy Run

On Sunday, 7 December, for the 39th time bikes from across the country will don fancy dress, decorate their bikes and head to Shinfield to take part in the annual Reading Toy Run.

It’s free to take part, but everyone who takes part is asked to bring a new toy to donate to Barnardo’s, which will then be distributed to children ahead of Christmas Day.

The bikers can meet at Thames Valley Science Park near Shinfield Studios from 11am, ready to leave from 1pm. They then head along the Lower Earley Way towards the Showcase Roundabout, up Reading Road in Winnersh and then on to High Close School in Wokingham.

The procession is always fun to watch, and crowds line the streets to cheer the bikers on.

For more details, log on to www.readingtoyrun.org.