Festival Information
South East
Overview
Reading Indie Comedy Festival is a four-day celebration of independent comedy, bringing together a collection of Reading’s leading indie comedy promoters. Held each May, the festival showcases a wide range of stand-up performances across multiple venues in central Reading, offering audiences the chance to explore the town’s grassroots comedy scene.
The festival features a mixture of established acts and rising talent, with each day hosted in a different venue on Reading’s independent circuit. Headline events take place at Pentahotel and Double-Barrelled Brewery, forming key highlights within the programme.
Festival Capacity: ≈ 200-500 per venue per day
This estimate reflects the approximate audience capacity per venue per day, based on organiser-provided figures. The festival takes place across several independent venues in Reading so actual daily attendance across the festival may be higher.
Location
Reading Indie Comedy Festival takes place across multiple independent venues in central Reading, with most locations situated within walking distance of one another.
The festival uses a range of popular venues including Pentahotel Reading, Double-Barrelled Brewery, Milk Bar, Outlook, and The Purple Turtle.
Reading is well-connected by public transport. Reading Station is a short walk from Pentahotel and other central venues, making rail the most convenient option for many visitors. Local buses and taxis provide quick links to venues that are slightly further afield.
Accessibility provisions may vary between venues due to the festival’s multi-venue structure. Attendees are encouraged to check each venue’s accessibility information in advance. More details are provided in the Accessibility section.
Tickets
Basic Price Range: £45 - £55
Tickets for Reading Indie Comedy Festival are available through the festival's official Tickets Page .
Ticket Types
- Festival Pass – Early Bird
- Festival Pass – Standard Advance
- Individual Show Tickets: Limited advance tickets are available for each show
- Door Tickets: Limited tickets may be available on the door, depending on venue capacity
Entry Process
The festival pass provides access to four days of comedy across Reading’s independent venues.
Festival pass holders will receive a wristband at their first attended event, which can be used for the duration of the festival. If the wristband is misplaced, email confirmation will be accepted and staff will verify the booking before entry.
Important Ticket Information
Only purchase tickets from official sellers listed on the festival’s website. Most festivals do not allow ticket transfers between individuals, and resale is typically only permitted through official resale platforms (when available). Please review the festival’s official ticket terms and conditions before purchasing, as policies on refunds, exchanges, age restrictions, and entry requirements vary between events.
Accommodation
Reading Indie Comedy Festival is not a camping festival, so attendees will need to arrange their own accommodation.
The festival takes place across several central venues, most of which are within walking distance of Reading Station. A wide range of hotels, guesthouses, and serviced apartments are available throughout the town centre and surrounding areas.
For accommodation options, Visit Reading provides a useful directory of places to stay, covering different locations, styles, and budgets.
Packing Checklist:
Ensure you are fully prepared for your festival adventure with our Essential Packing Checklist.
Accessibility
Reading Indie Comedy Festival takes place across multiple independent venues in central Reading. Accessibility provisions therefore vary from venue to venue, depending on each building’s layout, facilities, and staffing.
Many venues in the town centre offer step-free access, accessible toilets, and reserved seating areas, while others may have limitations due to older building structures. Attendees are encouraged to review the accessibility information provided by each venue in advance and to contact venues directly with any specific access requirements.
Where available, individual venues may offer early entry arrangements, accessible seating, or support for essential companions. These provisions are managed by the venues themselves rather than by the festival as a whole.
For further support, festival organisers can be contacted via the details available on the festival website.
