Britain’s longest running festival returns from Friday, August 28, to Sunday, August 30
The Reading Festival is coming back in summer 2025, with a dazzling line-up including Charli XCX, Fontaines D.C., Dave, RAYE, Chase & Status and Florence and the Machine. Britain’s longest-running festival has been nourishing revellers with the best of live music since 1971 and returns once more to Little John’s Farm on Richfield Avenue in central Reading from Friday, August 28, to Sunday, August 30.
This year’s festival once again features five different campsite options – the fields’ main camp, the garden (calm) camp, the meadow (eco) camp, the grove (community) camp and the valley (solo) camp, the latter a perfect place for singletons looking to meet people.
Here, we dive into what’s on offer at the Reading Festival this year, telling you everything you need to know from headliners and support acts, ticket prices, available campsite options and how you can travel to the Home Counties’ most famous outdoor party.
Friday, August 28
The first big day of the Reading Festival on Friday, August 28, will see two joint headline acts – UK powerpop sensation Charli XCX and Irish rock band Fontaines D.C., who will appear alongside special guest, Nigerian MC and rapper Skepta. Other performing acts include singer-songwriter Declan McKenna, rock band Geese, singer-songwriter Skye Newman, electronic DJ Josh Baker and YouTuber James Marriott.
Saturday, August 29
Day two of the Reading Festival will see a pair Londoners take on the mantle of headlining – with pop star Raye and rapper Dave at the top of the bill, along with special guests, avant-garde singer Sombr and US rapper Gunna. Other acts in the lineup include Swedish punk band The Viagra Boys, electronic DJs Max Dean and Luke Dean, DJ Mall Grab, ex-Little Mix star Jade Thirwall and house DJ Rossi.
Sunday, August 30
The grand finale on Sunday will feature two powerhouse headliners – drum & bass duo Chase & Status and songstress Florence & The Machine, with special guests hip-hop performer Loyle Carner and US singer-songwriter Role Model. Other acts on the bill include the outspoken Irish hip-hop outfit Kneecap, Canadian indie band Men I Trust, Irish DJ Kettama, Dutch DJ Chris Stussy and liquid drum & bass act Hybrid Minds.
Tickets
Non-camping full weekend tickets are priced at £295 and can be secured with a £50 deposit with a three-instalment payment plan, while non-camping passes for Friday and Saturday have already sold out. Attendees who wish to camp at the site can get weekend camping tickets for £325, while early weekend camping tickets starting from Wednesday are also available from £361.
Day tickets for Friday, August 28, have sold out. Elsewhere, day tickets remain on sale for £190 on Saturday, August 29, and £125 for Sunday, August 30, at the time of writing.
Camping
Reading Festival offers a variety of distinct campsites, some of which are vibrant, high-energy spots for revellers, while others offer calming respite away from the festival action. The traditional camping area is the Fields, with its colour-coded zones (Green, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Brown, and White). These are dotted around the farm site, with noise levels highest at the Yellow and Green while the furthest White encampment is known to be the quietest.
In recent years, the camp offering has expanded with specialist encampments such as The Meadow, an eco-friendly, harmonious campsite modelled on sustainability, with workshops, art, and craft-making. Elsewhere, The Garden is popular for its tranquillity, with yoga and meditation sessions, plus a strict no-noise policy after 1am.
How to get to Reading Festival
By bus – Offering pick up and return to more than 40 locations, Big Green Coach is a travel partner of the festival.There are also shuttle buses taking people to the festival and more details are available to view here.
By train – Reading train station is a 15-20 minute walk from the festival site. There are many routes from throughout the country to the station, including from London Paddington.
By car – Reading Festival organisers do not recommend travelling by car to avoid congestion, as “the train station is very close to the festival site and shuttle buses run back and forth for £1”.
The Reading Festival runs from Friday, August 28, to Saturday, August 30.
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