Reading Festival, a long-standing event popular with students celebrating exam results, is introducing new offerings aimed at a more mature and premium audience. This year, the festival features an "over 21s" campsite called Vista, designed to provide a distinct experience from the general festival grounds.
The Vista campsite offers amenities such as private showers and what are described as "premium" toilets. Additionally, this exclusive area includes a shaded lounge with a cocktail and juice bar, as well as its own food and drink stalls, and a "GRWM pamper zone."
Ticket prices for these upgraded experiences have reached thousands of pounds, a significant shift from the festival's historically budget-friendly reputation. A weekend camping ticket in the "Lotus Boutique" luxury campsite costs £1,408.25. This package is advertised as the festival's "ultimate luxury camping experience" and includes four single beds, luxury toilets and showers, a pamper area, and access to luxury lounge areas with shade. While boutique dining and cocktails are available, they incur additional costs. The accommodation price does not include festival tickets, which must be purchased separately for each individual staying in the accommodation.
Another option, the "Crew hut" with two single beds, is priced at £868.25. However, this option does not include bedding. For a more modest luxury camping option, a couple staying in a pre-pitched tent at the Lotus campsite with a "sleep bundle"—including a mattress and sleeping bag—will pay £293.25, in addition to individual festival tickets.
A single-day ticket for Friday or Saturday, without camping or any extras, is priced at £205.
This year's festival lineup features headliners such as Charli XCX, Raye, Chase & Status, and Dave. Other scheduled performers include Florence and The Machine, Fontaines D.C., Skepta, Sombr, Role Model, and Loyle Carner. The festival is also set to host Belfast trio Kneecap, following a UK government appeal decision regarding a terror charge against one of its members.
Reading Festival is scheduled to take place from Thursday, August 27, to Sunday, August 30. Organizers have also applied for a licensing change that could potentially allow amplified music on the main stage for a fourth day, starting on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to midnight, from next year. An application has also been submitted to extend the hours for alcohol sales.
Historically, the festival has hosted a wide array of renowned artists, including Patti Smith, Rage Against The Machine, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, and Kendrick Lamar. Last year's headliners included Chappell Roan and Travis Scott, alongside performances by Hozier and Limp Bizkit. The event has also seen memorable performances, such as Nirvana's 1992 set, which was later released officially.