What's on this summer: Free activities, events and support

Below, we have listed local events and timeless ways to have fun that you may be interested in, so keep scrolling to find out more.

If you’re struggling with the cost of living, visit our cost of living support pages. 

Alternatively, our Lightning Reach portal can connect you to personalised support, grants and discounts.

If you’re struggling with the cost of food, support is available from Wokingham Foodbank, SHARE and The Grub Club.

First Days Children’s Charity is helping families reduce back-to-school costs through its low-cost school uniform shop in Wokingham. Open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the summer holidays, the shop offers affordable second-hand uniform. Residents can also support the initiative by donating good-quality uniform items at collection points across the borough.

Events by date

• 18 July – Theatre in the Park, 11am and 2pm, Elms Field, Wokingham (free).
• 25 July – SAFE Family Fun Day, 11am to 5pm, Cantley Park, Wokingham (£2 per adult, children free).
• 27 July – Storytime, 10.30am, Woodley Library (free).
• 27 July – Lego Club, 2.30pm to 5pm, Twyford Library (free).
• 29 July – Lego Club, 10am to 12 noon, Wokingham Library (free).
• 29 July – Community Fun Day, 1pm to 4pm, Clements Close Play Park, Spencers Wood (free).
• 30 July – Get Arty, 2.15pm to 3.15pm, Finchampstead Library (£2).
• 31 July – Explore Learning, 10.30am to 11.30am, Woodley Library (free).

• 1 August – Earley Town Council Green Fair, 10am to 3pm, Maiden Erlegh Nature Reserve, Earley (free).
• 3 August – Get Arty, 10.30am to 11.30am, Wokingham Library (£2).
• 3 August – Fun Day, 10am to 12 noon, Lower Earley Library (free).
• 4 August – Get Arty, 10.30am to 11.30am, Lower Earley Library (£2).
• 5 August – Author Storytime, 10.30am to 11.30am at Wokingham Library and 1pm to 2pm at Woodley Library (£2).
• 6 August – Explore Learning, 10.30am to 11.30am, Lower Earley Library (free).
• 7 August – Storytime, 10.30am, Finchampstead Library (free).
• 8 August – Woodley Picnic in the Park, 2pm to 5pm, Woodford Park, Woodley (free).

• 9 August – Ollie Young Foundation Summer Fun Day, 11am to 4pm, Cantley Park, Wokingham (free, paid parking available).
• 10 August – Storytime, 10.30am, Wokingham Library (free).
• 10 August – Cricket Festival for youth mental wellbeing, 11am to 4pm, Emmbrook and Bearwood Cricket Club (free).
• 11 August – Get Arty, 10.30am to 11.30am, Woodley Library (£2).
• 12 August – Explore Learning, 10.30am to 11.30am, Wokingham Library (free).
• 12 August – Summer Social Event, 2pm to 4pm, Loddon Court Farm Park, Spencers Wood (free).
• 13 August – Mini Maestros, 10.30am to 11.30am, Lower Earley Library (£2).
• 14 August – Lego Club, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, Lower Earley Library (free).
• 16 August – JL Events Summer Fun Day, 11am to 4pm, Dinton Pastures Country Park (free, paid parking available).

• 17 August – Meet the Guide Dogs, 10am to 12 noon, Wokingham Library (free).
• 18 August – Lego Club, 2pm to 3pm, Woodley Library (free).
• 19 August – Lego Club, 2.15pm to 3.15pm, Finchampstead Library (free).
• 20 August – Storytime, 10.30am, Lower Earley Library (free).
• 22 August – Twyford Village Fete, 1pm to 5pm, Stanlake Meadow, Twyford (free, paid parking available).
• 24 August – Ready for School Storytime, 10am to 11am, Lower Earley Library (free).
• 25 August – Drop-in crafts, 10.30am to 11.30am, Twyford Library (£2).
• 25 August - Ready for School Storytime, 10am to 11am, Woodley Library (free).
• 26 August – Ready for School Storytime, 10am to 11am, Wokingham Library (free).

• 6 September – Charvil Village Fete, 2pm to 6pm, East Park Farm Playing Fields, Charvil (free). 
• 6 September – Remenham Village Fayre, 2pm to 5pm, Remenham Parish Hall and Gardens (free). 
• 15 September – Storytime in the Café, 10.30am to 11am, The Coffee Deck at Dinton Activity Centre (free).
• 19 September – Barkham & Arborfield Green Family Fun Day, 11am to 4pm, Arborfield Green Community Centre (free). 
• 19 September – Wokingham Town Heritage Open Day, 11am to 3pm, Wokingham Town Hall and Market Place (free).

Things to do throughout the summer

• Libraries across the borough will be running their regular programme of events, with more details available online. You can get involved in the Summer Reading Challenge to earn rewards.
• Connect with nature this summer and explore the local parks, open spaces and nature conservation areas on your doorstep, including Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst and Cantley Park in Wokingham. There are 29 nature parks in the borough.
• Enjoy lakeside views and entertainment at Dinton’s Sundowner Evenings. These events are free to attend and take place at the Dinton Activity Centre every Friday throughout July and August, from 4.30pm to 9pm. There’s also a barbecue, ice cream, a new lakeside bar serving beer on tap and prosecco, live music from local performers from 6pm and scenic boat hire available.

• Our sport and leisure provider Places Leisure run a number of initiatives that are free or low cost, including free and discounted gym memberships as part of the Big Sister Project. The Inclusive Membership offers a 50% discount on selected rates for residents with disabilities, with other options available via GP referral. From giant inflatables and pool sessions to soft play and Active Play & Bounce activities, local leisure centres have plenty to keep children entertained during the summer holidays.  
• Reading Football Club and Earley Town Council have joined forces to offer a weekly youth club, which runs every Friday at Centrepoint Community Centre and has different activities every week.
• Free skateboard and scooter drop-in workshops are taking place at Twyford Skatepark during the summer holidays, funded by Twyford Parish Council. Sessions run from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm on 27 July, 3 August, 10 August, 19 August and 27 August. Young people can develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment.
• Shinfield Parish Council will be running their Friday Fundays at the School Green Centre (10am to 1pm), as well as offering Tuesday £2 cinema tickets for families during the school holidays.

• The Holiday Activities and Food Programme offers free activities and healthy meals during the summer holidays for children in Reception to Year 11 who receive benefit-related free school meals and attend a school in the borough.
• The Grub Club returns this summer, offering free meals and activities every Tuesday from 11am to 2pm, primarily at St Crispin’s School, for eligible families in Norreys, Emmbrook, Evendons and Westcott. Advance booking is required via email or Facebook.
• Discover hidden details about Wokingham by taking part in a photo trail of the town.

Visit your town or parish council’s website to see what they can offer you this summer.

If you're out and about this summer and need help, look out for designated Safe Places, which offer a welcoming space for anyone who may feel unsafe, worried or lost.