2026 Centenary Celebrations
2026 is the University of Reading’s centenary year, marking 100 years since it was granted a Royal Charter.
To celebrate this momentous milestone, we have planned a vibrant programme of events - we’ll be hosting everything from festivals and lectures, to performances and exhibitions.
Studying at Reading during the centenary year offers you many opportunities to get involved in additional events and activities - keep an eye on this page throughout 2026 to find out what's coming up. We hope you enjoy celebrating the centenary with us!
Join in the Celebrations
On Tuesday 17 March 2026 the University of Reading officially reached our milestone of 100 years since we received our Royal Charter. And what a day of celebrations we had - from cake cutting with a sword, to free muffins, to a centenary photobooth, and the launch of our official Centenary merchandise and Centenary Wall of Wishes.
Take a look at some of the activity from the day on @uor_student Instagram
Centenary Wall of Wishes
What's a birthday without one giant birthday card? Take a look at our digital birthday messages and share your own at Centenary Wall of Wishes
Centenary Merchandise
Shop the collection now!
We’re proud to invite you to shop our official Centenary Collection with more than 350 designs across clothing, bags, bottles, notebooks and more. Made sustainably with Teemill and designed to be remade when they wear out - because turning 100 deserves something special.
Shop the collection: rdg.ac/merch
Then & Now
To celebrate 100 years of the University, we took a look back through the archives to see how campus used to look. With some of the photos dating back to the 1950s, a lot has changed over the years - but some things look surprisingly familiar! Take a look at how campus used to look vs how it looks today on our Then vs Now Instagram post.
Upcoming Centenary Events
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Let's Lift The Curfew Let's Lift The Curfew is a supportive, safety-first running initiative created for women. Funded by the University of Reading Centenary Grant, it is launching on Whiteknights campus as part of Sport England's 'This Girl Can campaign', that aims to get more women being active during darker months. Almost three-quarters of women in the UK change their outdoor activity routines during winter due to fears around their safety; one in four ensure to take well-lit routes; almost a quarter avoid certain areas altogether; and one in five glance behind them to ensure they’re not being followed. This running initiative is open to students, staff, and the community. Join every Thursday for structured sessions led by qualified run leaders, welcoming all abilities - beginners, intermediates and advanced runners. Every Thursday from 29 January - 26 March, 5pm meet |
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Centenary Heritage Tours Discover the University of Reading's rich history and heritage. Join us to uncover fascinating moments from our history, explore architectural gems, absorb the beauty of our green spaces and cherish the generations of voices who have studied, worked, lived and helped to inspire the university we know today. This is part of our Memories of the University of Reading Centenary Grant project. 19 February - 10 December 2026 |
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Centenary Community Festival 2026 Join us on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May for a vibrant weekend packed with entertainment and discovery to celebrate 100 years of the University of Reading. Admission is free and everyone is welcome! 16-17 May 2026 |
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Sparks, Parks, Halls & Balls: 100 Years of Campus Life Sparks, Parks, Halls & Balls is a vibrant, site-specific celebration of 100 years of the University of Reading. Set on our Whiteknights Campus, this immersive promenade production invites audiences to journey through a century of student life. From the University's earliest days to the bustle of a 1950s common room, the energy and protest of the 1970s, and the unmistakable sounds of the 1990s - bringing past moments vividly into the present. This is an invitation to wander, listen and connect with the many voices that have shaped campus life. Inspired by in-depth interviews with students, staff, alumni and members of the local community, alongside discoveries from the University's archives, these real memories form the heart of an experience that celebrates community, creativity and impact. This is part of our Memories of the University of Reading Centenary Grant project. Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026 |
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100 For 100 Music The University of Reading is an exciting place for making music. This year, to celebrate our centenary, we're launching 100 for 100: 100 gigs, events, and groups you can join throughout 2026. Programme currently runs until the end of May and will be updated as more events are confirmed. |
| 100 Years of Botany
For our centenary year, the finals of Botanical University Challenge 2026 are coming to Reading. The events will celebrate the influential role of botany teaching and research at Reading during the past century, and our alumni who have made significant contributions worldwide. The next on-line knock-out and quarterfinal rounds will be 11, 18 & 25 February 2026, streamed live on our YouTube channel and available to afterwards. The live semi-final and final will be at University of Reading on Wednesday 19 August 2026 to celebrate 10 years of Botanical University Challenge and as part of the University’s centenary celebrations. You can get involved by voting for the best team name, which will be announced at the final on 19 August. |
Other event highlights - we will share more updates on these and other centenary events throughout the year:
- Outdoor Learning Garden - coming in 2026
Find out more about our celebratory events, the University's history and our centenary stories.