Berkshire is a county full of pageantry and ceremonial events, and this year it is also celebrating its close ties to Jane Austen with a host of new tours, events, and exhibitions. Home to a host of internationally renowned events, including Royal Ascot, Royal Windsor Horse Show, Royal Windsor Flower Show and Reading Festival, you'll find Berkshire's event calendar is full to bursting.
2025 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, this world-famous author went to school in Reading, and her old school will be open for a series of tours for the first time. Believed to be the inspiration behind the school in her fourth novel Emma, this is the perfect time to discover more about the 18 months she spent here. Whether you're visiting Berkshire for the royal connections, spending time on or alongside the River Thames, exploring its history and culture, you'll surely find a festival or event to include as part of your visit.
Berkshire is easily accessible for day trips from London and there's plenty of fun activities for kids to do whether it's during the holidays or for a weekend break. You'll also find a host of free events (F) to help you stretch your budget a little further. To find out what's on in Berkshire today or this weekend, use the search box above to narrow down your required date.
Don't miss the Changing of the Guards on the streets of Windsor, or the chance to follow one of the free activity trails at Windsor Castle. Look out for the magnificent Red Deers and hand-crafted adventure playground in Windsor Great Park. Stroll along the Thames Path National Trail, or catch a boat and enjoy some time on the water, watching the iconic sights of this famous Royal Borough go by. Plan ahead so you don't miss out and book for some Royal Windsor's and Maidenhead must see events including Royal Windsor Horse Show (15th - 18th May 25), Royal Windsor Flower Show (7th June 25), Royal Ascot (17th - 21st June 25) or Windsor Championship Dog Show (26th - 29th June 25).
Reading a town full of surprises, with links to Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, King Henry I, football, and biscuits! Tours of Jane Austen's school open from April 25, discover more about the Jane Austen 250 events in Reading here. Discover some of Reading's top events to enjoy this summer including Death Comes to Pemberley Mill, The Mill at Sonning (1st May - 28th June 25), Reading Walking Festival (10th - 18th May 25), Reading Water Fest (28th June) (F), Reading Festival (21st - 24th August 25) combine your next event in Reading with a stroll along the famous St James Way, the UK's stretch of the Camino de Santiago.
Take a look at our featured events in Berkshire to get you started and then scroll to the bottom of the page for lots more events and activities to enjoy.
If you're travelling from outside the area for an event in Berkshire, there are numerous hotels and other accommodation options to suit your needs.
>>> Search & Book Berkshire Accommodation
The guide below shows our calendar of events in Berkshire. Whether you're local or visiting the area, find what's happening near you by clicking the Map View button.
Number of results: 55
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Free Event
Reading
This free annual East Reading Festival returns to Palmer Park on Sunday 22nd June 2025 between 12noon and 6pm.
Music
Maidenhead
Join local musical theatre talent Cormac Diamond, as he brings his debut cabaret show back to where it all began!
You can expect a nostalgic array including golden-age showtunes by Rogers and Hammerstein, and pop-rock anthems by Elton John and…
Water Based Activities
Maidenhead
Maidenhead Sailing Club is holding its annual Open Day on Bank Holiday Monday 5th MAY between 12 noon & 4pm.
Try sailing or paddleboarding for free with one of our experienced members, or simply relax beside the beautiful lake while enjoying a BBQ…
Festival
Abbey Square, Reading
The 2025 Reading Walks Festival takes place between 10-18 May and is more diverse than ever. The Festival includes 50 walks in and around Reading plus two bike rides and a talk.
Each walk in the Reading Walks Festival is led by a local volunteer…
Festival
Henley On Thames
With its wonderful range of entertainment in a breathtaking setting on the banks of the River Thames and with some of the best wining and dining seen at any Festival, Henley Festival makes for a highly glamorous party not to be missed, with stars on
Sporting Event
Ascot
The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is a raceday like no other. A celebration of all things extraordinary, this exquisite event brings together exceptional talent from all over the world - to compete on the racetrack and entertain at the post-racing…
Music
Maidenhead
Presented by Maidenhead Music Society.
Britten Three Divertimenti
Haydn Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 50 No. 1
Suk Meditation on an old Bohemian Chorale (St Wenceslas), Op. 35a
Dvořák Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 51
The miraculous Heath Quartet…
Performance
Windsor
Windsor Morris is a female team of dancers. Come and watch our performances in Windsor town centre. Or come and try morris dancing at one of our taster sessions.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Blake's Lock, Reading
Have fun (re-)discovering Reading, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst finding out more about Reading. Curious About Reading visits…
Tour
Eton, Windsor
Our seasonal programme of guided tours focuses on the historic heart of Eton College, featuring many of the earliest buildings and objects from the College Collections.
Ceremony
Windsor
Children of the Royal Borough are invited to help wish His Majesty The King a happy birthday, by taking part in the traditional 21-gun salute outside Windsor Castle, on 14 November at noon.
Tour
Reading
Enjoy a fascinating Behind-The-Scenes tour of The Mill at Sonning, near Reading
Theatre
Reading
In this WORLD PREMIERE, the idyllic estate of Pemberley, home to Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's iconic "Pride and Prejudice" becomes the stage for a chilling mystery, imagined by one of Britain's finest ever crime novelists, P.D…
Family
Reading
In 2012, Vinz, a young Frenchman, thought it would be great if his friends in Reading could join him in celebrating Bastille Day and also gain a better understanding of French culture. So, Bastille Day 2012 was born out of this idea.
Sporting Event
Ascot
With the exception of Royal Ascot, King George weekend is the most important, historic and glamorous racing meeting on Ascot's calendar.
Music
Maidenhead
Presented by Norden Farm Jazz Club.
Simon Spillett (tenor sax)
Alex Hutton (piano)
Alec Dankworth (bass)
Clark Tracey (drums)
Over his twenty five year career Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as it's possible to wear within jazz;…
Participatory Event
Windsor
Parallel Windsor is the UK's national celebration of disability inclusion and wellbeing. Our award-winning event is held in the grounds of the majestic Windsor Great Park and staged on the iconic Long Walk.
Heritage & History
Reading
In 2025, come and join the celebrations in Reading marking the 250th anniversary since the birth of Jane Austen, the treasured nineteenth century writer famed for Pride & Prejudice, Emma and Persuasion.
From April 2025, as part of the 250th…
Christmas
Windsor and Eton
Enjoy a different 15-minute live performance every evening of Advent with the Windsor and Eton Living Advent Calendar. Performances will range from songs, carols, music, poetry, book excerpts, creative arts, notes from local history or folklore,…
Music
Maidenhead
Alex Wun (piano)
Eleanor Holmes (violin)
Nigel Wilkinson (conductor)
Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 (Emperor)
Romance No.2 in G
Symphony No.4
The Beethoven symphony cycle (21-25) nears its end with the bright and vibrant Fourth Symphony.
RAM…