What's on in Reading this month

The clocks may have gone back – but there’s plenty of great events to look forward to in Reading this November and it’s the start of the Christmas season!

We’ve got plenty of music, from punk icons to rock festivals to sounds from the silver screen! We start to get festive, too, with the Reading’s Christmas Lights Switch On kicking off Xmas on 16 November. November also sees plenty of local theatre, dance and a big weekend for lovers of all things geeky! As usual, these are but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to What’s On in Reading this November – do head to whatsonreading.com for so much more!

Rock Festivals – 2 Nov, 22-23 Nov

Think music festivals are just for the summer? Think again – this month sees two of our local promoters put on big bashes blending the cream of the local scene with top touring acts. On 2 November, the 19Something Festival offers up the likes of next-big-things O. and Reading’s contribution to Britpop Bennet. And on 22-23 Nov, Reading Rising returns, expanding to two days and serving up alt rockers of all colours like Lake Malice, LASTELLE and local success story Marisa & The Moths.

Cracking Comedy – various dates

From big telly names to Edinburgh faves and everything in between, there’s lots to laugh about this month! The Big Comedy Bash returns to The Hexagon on 11 Nov, with Jack Dee, Adam Hills, Richard Herring + more. The Hexagon also offers up Nish Kumar, Milton Jones and Fern Brady. At South Street, catch the likes of Colin Hoult, sketch troupe Tarot and Emma Sidi is Sue Gray. And there’s plenty more laughs all month long, all over town!

Viva Reading-San Francisco Libre – 6 Nov

Did you know Reading is twinned with a wonderful town in Nicaragua? This event celebrates 30 years of the Reading-San Francisco Libre link and you can hear all about its history, the achievements of the partnership and how the Reading San Francisco Libre Association, a Reading-based volunteer-run charity, has supported the community of San Francisco Libre over the last 30 years.

Dance Reading Festival – various dates

Reading’s celebratory festival of dance returns for 2024. Highlights include Lost Dog’s re-telling of the story of the beginning of everything inspired by Milton's Paradise Lost, Kalakunj’s annual showcase of traditional South Asian dance forms, and the annual celebration of local dancers and dance schools in the big finale “Jump!”

Reading FC Legends Unveiled – 10, 17 & 24 Nov

The Purple Turtle teams with 1871 Events to present a trio of events with legendary Reading FC players – Nicky Shorey, Adam le Fondre and Jem Karacan. Each player will talk through career highlgihts and other insights, with the chance for audience questions too.

Ultimate Film Music in Concert – 10 Nov

The magic of cinema comes to life with breathtaking orchestral performances in The Great Hall, featuring the iconic music of legendary composers such as John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone and more. This spectacular event showcases unforgettable pieces from the likes of Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings, Gladiator and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and many more, all performed by the 26-piece Docklands Sinfonia.

Local Theatre – various dates

Our homegrown theatrical talents take to stages all over town this month. The Triangle Players present comedy-thriller Prepare To Meet Thy Tomb on 14-16 Nov; South Street welcomes back local playwright Doris Allimade for Cruelly, Pretty & Richie Again on 16 Nov and takes its next SITELINES “theatre in unusual spaces” show Common Salt to Reading Museum the next day; Shinfield Players Theatre go on a Safari Party on 20-23 Nov; Progress Theatre present an adaptation of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time on 21-30 Nov; and there’s two nights of new writing from Reading University Drama Society with Rough Sketch on 28 & 29 Nov.

Elvana: Elvis Fronted Nirvana – 16 Nov

The most twisted tribute show you’ve ever seen! From the bowels of Disgraceland, Rock & Roll meets Grunge as Elvis fronts Nirvana as Elvana tear through Nirvana’s catalogue whilst splicing in grunged up sections of the king of rock & roll’s finest moments, culminating in a whopper mash up of overdrive & old school Rockabilly.

Punk icons at Sub89 – various dates

November is the month where the old rebels come out to play! On 17 Nov, Sub89 welcomes Scotland’s finest post-punks The Skids, fronted by Richard Jobson. On 20 Nov, Stranglers’ frontman Hugh Cornwell takes to the stage. And on 22 Nov it’s the return of hardcore anarchists the Anti Nowhere League.

Wingjam Festival – 22-24 Nov

A one-of-a-kind foodie weekender experience! For three days, Blue Collar Corner will be transformed into chicken wing wonderland, featuring over 40 varieties of chicken wings, chef specials, DJs and, of course, the return of the highly anticipated hot wing contest.

The Con is On – 23 & 24 Nov

If you love sci-fi, comics, action figures and all things geeky, this is the weekend for you! Sat 23 Nov sees TFNation – organisers of Europe’s largest TransFormers convention – bring their first Mini-Con to the Great Hall, with stalls, talks and guests from the world of Cybertron. And on Sun 24 Nov, it’s the return of Reading Comic-Con, with loads of stalls, photo props and guests from the worlds of Doctor Who, Star Wars, House of Dragons and more!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… – various dates

Christmas is coming – and sooner than you might think, with the first festive events hitting Reading this month.  The Lights Switch on is Saturday 16 November complete with music and Christmas stalls. There’s Christmas markets from/at Creativ.Spaces, Modern Makers Collective and Reading Town Hall and seasonal shows like Little Robin Red Breast at South Street, Stan Tracey’s A Child’s Christmas Jazz Suite and Reading Rep Theatre’s festive production of The Snow Queen. Plus winter workshops, festive fizz and more!