Plan your summer street party in Reading

Reading residents are invited to host summer street parties as part of The Big Lunch 2025.

This year’s events provide a special opportunity to bring neighbours together while marking the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.

Free road closures for street parties in 2025

The council is waiving road closure fees for street parties held on any of the following four weekends:

• Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June - The Big Lunch weekend
• Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June - Armed Forces Day
• Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July
• Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July

Apply for a street party by Monday 21 April 2025

Residents must apply for permission, ensuring their road closure does not disrupt a main through-route or public transport route. Organisers should consult with neighbours, consider any concerns and ensure emergency access is maintained.

To submit an application, you will need to provide:

• your name and contact details
• name of the road(s) to be closed
• time and date of road closure
• a list of properties that will be affected
• details of how you plan to communicate the road being closed
• confirmation of neighbourhood agreement

Bringing communities together

The Big Lunch is the UK’s annual community celebration, bringing neighbours together for food, fun, and friendship. Residents can host their own events with support and inspiration from:

• The Big Lunch website
• The Street Party website

Councillor comments

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport

“Communities have been staging street parties across Reading for a number of years as part of the Big Lunch initiative.

The Council is once again encouraging neighbours to get-together by waiving the road closure fee which would normally be charged.

Residents have a choice of four weekends to take advantage of this offer to ensure as many people as possible have an opportunity to take part.

This year is the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day so it would be a fantastic opportunity to bring neighbours together, perhaps to mark Armed Forces Day on 28 June, and pay tribute to all those who have served and those who continue to serve.”