Open for Art 2026: Water Fest Parade

The parade will be led by World Groove drummers and will feature artwork made by New Town Primary School. If you made a streamer at our workshop earlier in the day, bring it along and become part of the parade.

The parade will start at Jelly’s stand in the Abbey ruins and proceed to Huntley Wharf.

Find us at the Water Fest celebtations taking place in the Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins. Jelly's gazebo will be in the Abbey Ruins

This parade is for all ages. Children must be supervised by an adult.

All the events at the Open for Art Festival are free to attend. This event has been supported by Reading Borough Council and is part of the Water Fest Celebrations.

There is an option to add a donation to jelly to help support the festival if you would like to and feel able to.

OPEN FOR ART

19 JUNE - 28 JUNE 2026

REFLECT This year marks 10 years of Open for Art — a decade of artists, makers, communities, ideas and shared experiences in Reading’s largest town centre creative festival. As we celebrate this milestone, our theme invites everyone to pause and consider how creativity emerges from people coming together — experimenting, making, and reflecting. Our theme for 2026 is REFLECT.

For 10 days, we’re inviting Reading to slow down and seek out pop-up art in shops and businesses, encounter artists as they work, take part in creative sessions, and join conversations about how reflection shapes artistic practice.

Come and REFLECT with us this summer.