Water Fest

Saturday 28 June 2025, 11am – 5pm
Forbury Gardens, Reading Abbey Ruins, Chestnut Walk and Riverside Walk

Back again for its 36th year, Water Fest celebrates and shows off the Kennet and Avon Canal in all its glory, as well as the many historic spots that can be found along the towpath.

This accessible one-day event, brought to you by Reading Borough Council in partnership with the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, takes place on Saturday 28 June 2025 between 11am and 5pm, within the Forbury Gardens, Abbey Ruins and along the River Kennet, celebrating the Abbey’s rich 900-year history and its environmental and heritage connections with Reading’s waterways. This year’s event will directly respond to the Council’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030, using environmental and climate change themes through creative programming and workshops on the day.

Water Fest is Reading’s way of celebrating and showing off the Kennet Canal in all its glory, along with the gorgeous and historic spots on its towpath.  Visitors can take in the sights and sounds as they wander through Chestnut Walk, Forbury Gardens, the renowned Abbey Ruins.  En route you’ll see some beautifully painted boats and meet some of the friendly boaters keen to chat about life on board.

This year’s Water Fest will be part of a weekend celebration of events and activities in the town centre including Blue Collar Market and the Charity Super.Mkt pop-up stall in the Forbury Gardens throughout the weekend; an open-air theatre performance by Mikron Theatre Company at Huntley Wharf and an 80s silent disco in the Abbey Ruins on Saturday evening; the Armed Forces Day celebrations on Sunday.

The full programme for Reading Water Fest 2025 will be available soon.

Garment upcycling with embroidery led by Anurita Chandola

The Sustainable Fashion Zone is coming back to Water Fest 2025! Join us from 11am to 12.30pm for a fun and free garment upcycling workshop. Led by Anurita Chandola, this workshop is all about giving your old clothes new life with embroidery.

Do you have clothes sitting in your closet that you don’t wear anymore? Instead of letting them go to waste, please bring them along. You don’t need any sewing skills for this workshop – everything you need will be provided.

For more information

Tel: 0118 937 2771 or 0118 937 2395

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Rdgwaterfest
Instagram: @rdgwaterfest
Twitter:  @RdgWaterFest