SUPER
CHRISTMAS in READING 15 November – 4 January
COOL COOL SHOPPING EVENTS livingreading.co.uk
COOL DINING
in Reading
15 November is the day Christmas comes to Reading! Magical bright lights and Christmas trees will be switched on bringing fairytale spirit and excitement to the town! Lighting Up Christmas See Reading light up from 2pm on Broad Street, as 400,000 lights – the biggest festive display in the South East outside London – come on throughout the afternoon on 15 November.
Broad Street Mall – The grand switch on takes place on Saturday 15 November
LIGHTS The inaugural Reading 5k Charity Santa Run, organised by The Rotary Club of Reading takes place on Sunday 14 December starting at 9am. The great town centre route starts and finishes at Forbury Gardens and takes in Broad Street, The Oracle shopping centre and Kennetside paths.
readingsantarun.co.uk
The Oracle – Get set to ‘ooh and ahh’ as The Oracle officially celebrates the festive
Carol Singing
John Lewis – Countdown to Christmas with John Lewis and celebrate switching
on Christmas lights on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November.
Enter into the spirit of Christmas at this year’s Civic Carol Service at Minster Church on 18 December at 6.30pm til 8pm (free entrance). A traditional service of lessons and carols is offered.
reading.gov.uk 0118 937 2771
Wundermarkt – The Oracle Riverside
Meet Santa
Soak up the Christmas atmosphere and sip a warming mulled glühwein or enjoy a Bavarian beer! Grilled Bratwursts, hog roasts and cheese will be offered along The Riverside from 8 November til 31 December.
Ice Rink – Santa’s Grotto
Black Friday
Everyone is invited to visit Santa’s Grotto at Forbury Gardens that will be open from 9 December til the Christmas Evening!
Make Reading – Santa’s Grotto
If you love a bargain, don’t miss out on Black Friday on 28 November. The Oracle will be open longer, from 9am to 9pm, with many stores slashing their prices for the one-day-only shopping extravaganza. John Lewis also opens its doors for the day until 9pm. Make the most of the day!
Visit Santa in his magical and artistic grotto at Reading’s Town Hall and participate in a ginger bread crafty exercise! This creative Santa experience will leave your children full of good spirit.
Special Shopping Evening
jelly.org.uk
An evening to help make Christmas shopping extra special, easy and enjoyable for older and disabled people. This year’s theme is Victorian Christmas. Expect strolling entertainment on Broad Street.
1 December, 6 – 8pm reading.gov.uk 0118 937 2771
Saturday 29 November, 11am – 6pm Sunday 30 November, 11am – 4.30pm
Broad Street Mall Would you like a special Christmas present? Then don’t miss the competition ‘Take a Selfie with Santa’ at Broad Street Mall! From 22 November til 20 December every Saturday from 10am til 3pm you will have a chance to catch Santa and his elves for a super cool selfie. The best selfie will be chosen and announced on Jack FM radio on the 22 December. Good luck!
broadstreetmall.com
Cinderella – The Hexagon This year’s festive family pantomime at the Hexagon stars Jon Clegg (Britain’s Got Talent), Anna Wiliamson (Splash, CITV, Toonattik), Dave Myers (Hairy Bikers, Strictly) and Liza Goddard (Grandpa In My Pocket). The spectacular scenery, breathtaking costumes, fabulous song and dance routines and hilarious knock-about comedy make this one of the best traditional family pantomimes around.
Meet Father Christmas in John Lewis To make your shopping experience even more enjoyable John Lewis has invited Father Christmas to visit the store! Meet Father Christmas on 6, 7, 13 & 14 December and the weekend before Christmas!
johnlewis.com
Saturday 6 December 2014 – Sunday 4 January 2015 Book tickets online, by phone or in person The Hexagon Theatre, Queens Walk RG1 7UA readingarts.com 0118 960 6060
Cinderella Pantomime Starts 6 December – oh no it doesn’t, oh yes it does! Book your tickets online
readingarts.com
Come to Reading and you’ll find everything in one place! From quirky retailers to impressive shopping centres, Reading has it all.
SHOP
Santa Run
at 4pm when the lights will be switched on by invited celebrities. There will be entertainment in the Mall from 10am!
season with a spectacular firework show and air display. The free event promises to light up the sky, and will be hosted by DJ Toby Anstis on Saturday 15 November from 7pm at The Riverside (access is by wristband only. To find out how to get yours visit www.theoracle.com).
in Reading
PANTO
What’s Christmas without Santa? Santa Claus will be stopping off in Reading in the build up to Christmas giving everyone the chance to make all their dreams and wishes come true!
The Oracle, Broad Street Mall, leading department stores John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and House of Fraser, and all within easy walking distance of each other.
Looking for the top brands? Vans, Apple, Hollister, Cath Kidston, White Stuff, East, Gant, Jaeger, Hugo Boss, Pandora, Waterstones and Clas Ohlson – Reading really does have it all! Broad Street Mall
From Monday 8 December Broad Street Mall will be open for trade from 8am to 9pm Monday to Saturday (excluding Sunday trading hours which are 10am – 5pm).
John Lewis
Late night shopping until 8pm from 1 December and extended shopping hours from 9am to 9pm from 8 December and then from 9am to 10pm from 15 December to 23 December. Sunday trading from 11am – 5pm throughout.
The Oracle Standard opening hours throughout November. Extended hours from 9am – 9pm from Monday 8 December to Saturday 13 December and until 10pm from Monday 15 December.
Marks & Spencer
Extended hours from 7 to 13 December – the store will be open from 8am to 9pm and from 15 to 21 December opening hours will be from 8am till 10pm. Earlier opening of 7am from 22 December. Sunday trading, 11am – 5pm throughout.
Many of the major stores offer a gift wrapping service giving you even more time to relax and enjoy Christmas. Shop late – make the most of extended Christmas opening hours!
Broad Street Mall
The Oracle
John Lewis
M&S
Christmas Eve
8am – 4pm
9am – 5pm
8am – 5pm
7am – 5pm
Christmas Day
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Boxing Day
9am – 6pm
9am – 6pm
Closed
8am – 6pm
27 December
8am – 8pm
9am – 8pm
8am – 8pm
8am – 8pm
New Year’s Eve
8am – 8pm
9am – 5pm
9am – 6pm
8am – 6pm
New Year’s Day
10am – 5pm
12pm – 6pm
Closed
Closed
SUPER
EAT
Tiny Diners
15 November – 4 January
Eating out with younger children is positively encouraged at these restaurants: T.G.I. Friday’s, Cosmo, Ed’s Easy Diner, Five Guys, Bill’s Café, Carluccio’s, The Place to Eat (John Lewis), Pizza Express, Jamie’s Italian, Wagamama, Pizza Hut, Nando’s.
Reading Station Garrard St Car Park
MAKE READING
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Riverside Car Park
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Please contact us for more info on group or party bookings
An 11-day festive celebration at Reading’s Town Hall bringing together Berkshire’s finest artists, makers, designers and recyclers! Embrace the seasonal spirit with a beautiful gallery pop-up shop offering unique and handmade gifts, themed workshops, activities, a special performance by Berzerk Productions in a creative Santa’s Grotto, and crafty events for all ages brought to you by Jelly & friends.
Queen’s Rd Car Park
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School Trip rates: £5 per person (during school hours)
Reading Town Hall
KINGS ROAD
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Group Bookings: 10% discount (parties of 10 or more)
2 Make Reading S TR E E T
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Box office: 07768 857 857
Child: £7.50
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Online bookings: www.readingwinteronice.ticketsource.co.uk
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10am – 10pm daily
rguide.co.uk
TREET STER S
THE ORACLE
Adult: £9.00
Family: £30.00 (2 adults & 2 children OR 1 adult & 3 children)
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Concessions: £8.00 (student with valid ID card, OAPs)
Fine dining is on offer at Forbury’s Restaurant, Cerise at Forbury Hotel, London Street Brasserie, and Malmaison Brasserie.
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Dining in Style
See all the choices at
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(closed Christmas Day)
TOWN HALL
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Forbury Gardens
Tuesday 9 December 2014 – Sunday 4 January 2015
FORBURY GARDENS
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1 Reading Winter On Ice
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M&S
JOHN LEWIS
THE HEXAGON CINDERELLA PANTOMIME
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A coffee lover’s heaven, Reading has all your favourites as well as some quality independents like Picnic, Workhouse Coffee, Bill’s Café, Shed and Boswell’s.
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BROAD STREET MALL
Broad Street Car Park
QUEEN V IC TO
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Coffee Stop
READING WINTER ON ICE
READING CHRISTMAS FOOD & CRAFT FAIR
2 3
FRIAR STREET UNION STREET
FRIAR STRE
From 9 December to 4 January, the purpose built 360m² real ice rink, Reading Winter On Ice, will take pride of place beneath the Maiwand Lion. Other activities will include a magical Santa’s Grotto, themed HILL E L T Christmas rides and – for the more adventurous – C aA thrilling 50 metre S zip wire. Festive chalets will sell a range of seasonal gifts, and daily entertainment comes from local bands and carol singers.
A global feast is waiting for you – just take your pick: Jamie’s Italian, Prezzo, Pepe Sale, Strada (Italian); Yo Sushi, Wagamama (Japanese); Mangal (Turkish); Thai Corner, Art of Siam, Aroy Thai at The Warwick (Thai); Furama, China Palace (Chinese); Bengal Reef, Gurkha Square, Chennai Dosa, Royal Tandoori (Indian); Cote, Café Rouge (French).
Station Car Park
in READING
SKATE
Reading is famous for its great choice of restaurants and cafes – Christmas is the best time to explore new tastes and share the Christmas spirit with friends and family! Around The World
CHRISTMAS
OXFORD S
in Reading
Two Christmas experiences in one! Reading Christmas Food & Craft Fair and Make Reading are located next to each other and will both be open from 27 November to 7 December
ART
Thursday 27 November – Monday 1 December, 11am – 8pm (Sunday 30 November 11am – 5am) 3B’s Café Bar, Reading Town Hall Tuesday 2 December – Sunday 7 December, 11am – 8pm (Sunday 7 December 11am – 4am) Soane Function Room, Reading Town Hall
3 Reading Christmas Food & Craft Fair Reading Town Hall
Good food and lovely gifts are at the heart of a great Christmas. Reading’s fabulous Food & Craft Fair will be serving food from around the world for 11 days. Visit Town Hall Square to try traditional Christmas fayre alongside many of our favourite international hot dishes. Stock up on cheese and Christmas cake for Christmas, buy unique Christmas presents for friends and family, enjoy mulled wine and hot sausages or waffles or take a culinary trip to another part of the world. Ideal for people working in Reading, visiting or taking a break from Christmas shopping.
Thursday 27 November – Sunday 7 December, Open every day 11am – 8pm & 11am – 5pm on Sundays
in Reading By Bus
Reading Buses bring you into the heart of the town and back home again with the minimum of fuss.
reading-buses.co.uk
By Rail
Reading’s fantastic new station is located just 200 metres from the town centre shops and is an ideal way to enjoy Reading without the car. Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or see the individual train operators websites:
firstgreatwestern.co.uk
southwesttrains.co.uk
By Car
Look out for the real time signs on the major routes into the centre for details of available parking spaces and local information.
Park & Ride
For a fast, stress free journey to and from the centre of Reading, perfect for Christmas shoppers. Buses run every 7-8 minutes.
reading-travelinfo.co.uk Super Cool Christmas in Reading is delivered in partnership with:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information was correct at the time of going to print. Please check individual websites for the most up to date information.