Everyone wanting to get into the Christmas spirit will be excited to see that Reading town centre currently sports a gorgeous selection of festive lights.

The public joined the Reading BID on Saturday, November 16 outside Marks and Spencer on Broad Street for an afternoon of great food and festive music as we kick off the season in style.

The festivities started from 12:30 pm, with live music from RASPO steel band, playing Christmas classics and Reggae tunes, followed by swing duo Zac Bauman and Max Hutton who played swing, soul and festive tunes from 2:30 pm into the evening. The Lights were officially switched on around 4:30 pm.

The Broad Street Christmas Markets is now officially be open, offering a whole host of traditional Christmas food and drink, sweets and treats. 

The town has a brand-new Christmas lights display this year comprising 800,000 LED festive lights showcasing the town’s history and cultural heritage from King Henry I and Oscar Wilde to the No. 17 bus and Reading Football Club.

Just above smelly alley, a sign in large illuminated letters reads 'Reading' with a big Christmas present to one side of it. 

Reading's history is also presented through framed pictures that are suspended above Broadstreet. 

Other than the photos in the middle of the strings of bright festive lights, Christmas imagery also adorns each lampost down the busy high street. 

The Reading Christmas Lights are funded by Reading town centre businesses through Reading BID.