Reading is buzzing with excitement as Reading Festival 2025 gets ready to welcome tens of thousands of music fans from Thursday 21 August to Sunday 24 August. With huge headline acts including Chappell Roan, Hozier, and Travis Scott, the four-day music celebration is set to be one of the biggest weekends of the year.
Last year’s event saw over 90,000 attendees, and this year promises to be even bigger. But with that many festivalgoers descending on the town, Reading Borough Council has announced a series of travel updates, road closures, and parking restrictions to help keep everything running smoothly. Here’s what residents, visitors, and festival fans need to know.
Traffic and Travel Advice
If you’re travelling into or around Reading town centre between Wednesday 20 and Friday 22 August, the council recommends planning ahead. Drivers should leave early, expect longer travel times, and be patient – especially on Thursday, when the festival kicks off.
Roads are expected to be calmer on Saturday and Sunday, but traffic will ramp up again on Bank Holiday Monday as thousands of fans leave the site.
Road Closures to Know About
A number of closures and diversions will be in place to handle the festival crowds:
- Thames Path (Scours Lane to Thameside Promenade) – closed nightly between 19:00 and 06:00, from Thursday 21 to Monday 25 August.
- Richfield Avenue – closed from 23:30 to 01:00 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to allow 30,000 day ticket holders to leave safely.
- Additional traffic management systems may be introduced depending on congestion levels.
Parking and Drop-Off Points
Parking restrictions will be tight around the Richfield Avenue festival site, with no stopping allowed for pick-ups. Residents are advised to avoid the area unless essential.
Instead, festivalgoers should head to Hills Meadow Car Park (RG4 8DH), the official pick-up and drop-off zone. From here, fans can either walk to the site or take advantage of the free shuttle boat service.
For those with parking passes:
- Mapledurham Car Park – features a pedestrian bridge directly connecting to the festival.
- Kings Meadow Car Park – offers a free official festival boat service to the main site.
Getting to Reading Festival Without Driving
For those arriving by train, the fastest walking route to the festival is via the northern side of Reading Station. Other options include:
- Hackney carriages direct from the station.
- A shuttle bus service to the festival site.
- A temporary taxi rank on Tessa Road, opposite Rivermead Leisure Centre (closed 05:30 Wednesday – 22:00 Monday).
Noise and Resident Support
Sound checks will be carried out on Thursday evening and before each live performance day to ensure everything is set.
Residents with concerns or questions can contact the festival hotline, open from 09:00 to 17:00 on Wednesday and then operating 24/7 from Thursday 09:00 until Monday 15:00.
Final Word
With huge names set to light up the stage and tens of thousands of fans pouring into the town, Reading Festival 2025 promises to be unforgettable. Whether you’re heading to the event or navigating the town during festival weekend, knowing these travel updates and road closures will help you plan ahead and avoid the busiest spots.
