With approximately 100,000 people anticipated for Reading Festival next week, residents and festivalgoers are being advised to plan ahead. Reading Borough Council has cautioned that those travelling to the town centre before the festival, which takes place from Thursday 27 August to Sunday 30 August, should expect longer travel times.
Shops and supermarkets are also predicted to be busier than usual, though activity is expected to settle down on Saturday and Sunday. Parking restrictions, including a ban on stopping for pick-ups, will be enforced around the Richfield Avenue site.
Hills Meadow Car Park is designated for drop-offs and pick-ups, with free shuttle buses or walking routes to the site available. Additional festival parking can be found at Kings Meadow and Mapledurham, where a pedestrian bridge has been constructed for safe access. A free official festival boat service will operate from Kings Meadow.
The Thames Path will be closed between Scours Lane and the far end of Thameside Promenade nightly from 19:00 to 06:00, Thursday to Monday. Sound testing will occur daily before live shows, under council supervision. Residents can use a special hotline (020 8080 1518) or email (ReadingFestivalHotline@reading.gov.uk) for comments or queries, with the hotline operating 24 hours a day from 09:00 on 27 August until 15:00 on 31 August.
Festival organisers received permission on Tuesday to host music on the main stage on Thursdays from 2027.