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Down at the Abbey 2026Reading Abbey Ruins
- Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September 2026 -
Gates open: Friday 6pm - 11pm (18+) & Saturday 1pm - 11pm (all ages)
- Witness history in a truly stunning setting -
Two stages of thrilling live music (no clashes), free kids activities hosted by Jelly (Saturday only, 1pm - 6pm), award-winning Siren Craft beer and cider, and delicious gourmet Street Food, all in the spectacular, 900 year old Reading Abbey Ruins.
The Down At The Abbey Festival site is in Reading town centre and is a 5-minute walk from the station or a 2-minute walk from the world-famous Banksy mural.
Info / Tickets on-sale now! Under 10's go free! (all kids must be registered)
For tickets and festival info: www.downattheabbey.co.uk
- Tickets sold subject to capacity and age restrictions. Line-up subject to change. Proof of age may be required. -
LINE UP
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Festival Playlist:
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Please keep an eye on our socials (@downattheabbey) and website for the latest info: downattheabbey.co.uk
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- Festival Background -
The creators of the award-winning Are You Listening? Festival return with the third iteration of Down At The Abbey in the stunning setting of Reading’s Abbey Ruins. After the enourmous success of the festival’s inaugural in 2019, and in the returning years of 2021, 2023 and is back again for 2026!
The Grade 1 listed Reading Abbey Ruins is a venue like no other. King Henry I started the construction of Reading Abbey in 1121 and once built, the great royal abbey was one of the largest monasteries in Europe for some 400 years, housing monks and religious relics including the hand of St James. In 1539, on the orders of King Henry VIII, Reading Abbey was destroyed, the monks were banished, and the Abbot was executed. The oldest piece of English music 'Sumer Is Icumen' dating back 1240 was discovered here.
The Abbey Ruins was re-opened after a 10yr restoration closure in 2018. Down at the Abbey was successfully launched in 2019 and featured artists including BC Camplight, Kathryn Joseph and The Wave Pictures. In 2021 the festival also ran a festival 'Warm Up Party' in the ruins on the Friday before the Saturday. Some of the artists who played in 2021 includes Snapped Ankles, The Comet Is Coming, Los Bitchos and more.
The festival site backs onto the Kennet & Avon Canal and is a short distance from the Banksy mural located at the neighbouring Reading Goal.
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downattheabbey.co.uk | @downattheabbey
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Event Venue
Abbey Ruins Reading, Abtei der Kluniazenser, Abbots Walk, Reading, RG1 3BD, United Kingdom
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
