Bastille Day is to once again be celebrated in Reading’s Forbury Gardens, and the event is so big that it takes place across a whole weekend.
The now annual event sees thousands flock to the town centre for the family friendly festival, featuring music, food, games and fun for all ages. It is a perfect opportunity for discovering French culture and all without leaving Berkshire.
It has become a fixture in the town’s calendar after the first event was held in 2012.
A team of volunteers worked tirelessly to turn a corner of Reading into France, and they were headed up by ‘The Four Frogs’: Eric Leray, Boubacar Dembélé, Vincent Valère and Frédéric Kayrouz.
Fast forward to 2025, and the aims of the event remain the same: have a great time celebrating all things French on the weekend nearest to Bastille Day, which is marked on July 14.
A note on its website reads: “After 13 years of continued success, Bastille Day Festival Reading is rolling out its plans for yet another weekend of fun, relaxation and laughter staged in the Forbury Gardens, Reading in 2025.
“Our sole purpose is to entertain you and your family while bringing people of all cultural backgrounds together around a French-themed festival.”
We will have an interview with Vincent Valère online very soon.
What is Bastille Day?
Bastille Day is held to mark the anniversary of the storming of the famous prison in Paris on July 14, 1789.
Originally built in the 14th century as a stronghold from which to protect Paris from invasion, it had been turned into a prison run along the lines of the Tower of London.
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The storming of the Bastille is considered to be the start of the French Revolution, the French Republic and French democracy.
July 14 has been a national holiday in France since 1860, and activities include parades, fireworks, parties, concerts, and picnics.
What will happen at Reading’s Bastille Day event?
The Reading Bastille Day festival will take place in Forbury Gardens between 11am and 5pm on Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13.
Among the events planned are:
- Battle re-enactment group Historia Normannis
- Baroque Music with Magic Fight 1789
- Sandy Maya’s Dance World French Can-Can
- French band Cidre et Bière
- Guinguette
- Élodie Siby
- Maloé
- Artistic Exhibition 1789 Révolution French
- Delicious food, wines, funfair and more!
Entry is free, but there will be charges for food and activities.
The event has a range of sponsors and has been supported by Abbey Quarter Business District, which oversees the area of Reading that Forbury Gardens is in.
I want to find out more about Reading Bastille Day
There is a website set up by the Reading Bastille Day team at http://www.bastilledayreading.co.uk/
There is also more information on the What’s On Reading website.
Don’t forget, we will have an interview with event organiser Vincent later this week.
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