It pays to look up … Reading’s past, present and future – including a Cheeselog – is being celebrated through its all-new Christmas lights, which were switched on for the first time on Saturday, November 16.
The displays which have been installed throughout the town centre include a giant bauble outside Saint Laurence’s Church in Blagrave Street.
In Station Road, there is a street sign that mimics the logo used by Reading Festival in the 1990s, while in Broad Street next to the entrance to Smelly Alley is a giant sign that reads READING, giving the town something to rival Hollywood.
Queen Victoria Street and Cross Street have been given a festive light show that reflects their heritage, with displays trailing across lampposts that will turn the town into a winter wonderland.
And running across Broad Street are brand-new displays that feature things that are special or unique to Reading.
They include decals detailing Reading FC, the Maiwand Lion, Jane Austen, Suttons Seeds, the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the 17 bus route.
There is also a giant Cheeselog in celebration of our unique term for a woodlouse.
Other decals feature King Henry I, and Oscar Wilde.
In all, more than 800,000 LED lights have been installed in Reading town centre – with more in The Oracle and Broad St. Mall, which have their own displays.
The Reading Christmas Lights are funded by Reading town centre businesses through Reading BID.
Complementing them is a festive market in Broad Street.
Alpine-style shacks have been set up between Marks & Spencer and Smelly Alley featuring a selection of seasonal food including roast chestnuts and a fire pit to toast marshmallows.
It is also possible to buy gifts including a stocking.
To launch the displays, Reading BID organised a day of fun and celebration.
A stage was set up in Broad Street to allow RASPO steel band to play Christmas classics and Reggae tunes.
That was followed by swing duo Zac Bauman and Max Hutton who performed swing, soul and festive tunes.
Christmas continues across the town all the way through to the New Year.
Reading BID’s Christmas market stalls will continue to operate until New Year’s Eve.
There will be more seasonal entertainment in the town at weekends in December.
Reading BID say they will include live music, stilt walkers, children’s story time and exciting character visits including Father Christmas on Sunday, December 22.
And there will be GLOW, the Reading Lantern Parade, on Saturday, December 7.
This will go from Blue Collar Corner down Broad Street and through to Blagrave Street.
Santa’s Grotto will open at Broad St. Mall on Friday, November 22.
More details on these events can be found at Reading BID’s visitor website, visit-reading.com/Christmas
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