Reading Festival organizers have applied for a licensing change to allow main stage music on a fourth day of the event, specifically on Thursdays. This request was submitted to Reading Borough Council and, if approved, will take effect in 2027. The festival attracts over 100,000 attendees each year.
Proposed Changes to Reading Festival
The proposed changes by Festival Republic aim to enhance the festival experience by extending music hours on the main stage from 5:00 PM until midnight on Thursdays. Currently, Wednesdays and Thursdays serve as warm-up days for festival-goers with camping tickets ahead of the main event, which runs from Friday to Sunday.
In addition to the main stage music extension, the organizers are also seeking to extend the hours for alcohol sales throughout the festival. This move follows several adjustments made since the festival's return after the coronavirus pandemic in 2021.
Festival History and Recent Changes
Since its inception, the Reading Festival has undergone various transformations. Notably, from 2021 to 2023, the festival featured two main stages until the introduction of the Chevron Stage in 2024. This evolution reflects the organizers' efforts to improve the festival experience and accommodate the growing number of attendees.
