Freedom Festival for Falasteen 2

Following a very successful event in 2025, Freedom Fest relaunches! Last year, we had over 100 attendees, raised almost £400 for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and paid out £275 to participating performers. There was live music, spoken word, storytelling, drag and a goth club night.

This year we will have live music, a salsa dance demonstration, speeches from local activists, a sprinkle of spoken word, a disco hour, drag performers and a headlining band. Full line up details on the Facebook event, our Instagram account and Upscrolled.

This festival will be based once again in Reading UK at Reading Biscuit Factory, prioritising performers, volunteers and groups with RG postcodes. Due to a complete lack of non-white/PoC representation in the arts & culture scene in this town, People of Colour i.e. People of the Global Majority will be prioritised 100%. The aim is to make the demographics of this festival representative of the demographics of the local area as per Census 2021 data. We've reached out directly to certain performers and attended networking sessions and open mic nights to find the best talent for our festival stage.

The main aim of Freedom Fest is to unite local people and groups who are pro-Palestine, foster social connections, raise awareness of the continuing genocide and funds for a good cause.

This year we have reduced costs, which means more proceeds from ticket sales can be donated. 40% is going to go to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). 50% will be paying the performers. 10% will cover event fees.

Brand new this year - colour-coded wristbands! (adults only) We want to encourage people to connect and socialise, meet new people and take friendships or more away from the festival. Don't worry - there will be an option for the non-verbal, introverted and socially anxious to signal that you don't want to be approached.

We are working with an advisor on COVID-19 safety to do whatever we can to support immunocompromised individuals to access this event. There will be a free mask stall and we will encourage everyone to mask, but we can't manage a masks mandatory event. The venue is wheelchair accessible via lift, centrally located, and attendees are welcome to use whichever toilets they feel comfortable in accordance with their gender. If you need more access info we will have posted on Facebook, Instagram and Upscrolled by Tuesday 28th July, and we can send it to you directly if you get in touch.

Have we missed anything? Please do let us know! Our Instagram is @readingqueers4palestine and email is [email protected]. The event is being entirely organised via Signal for safety, and all participants are following the BDS list to the best of their ability.

The market stalls and promotion will not involve generative AI, 3D printing, bulk-bought products, non-recyclable materials. As far as we know, we haven't booked any performers who use generative AI in their pieces.

Looking forward to seeing you all there! It goes without saying but we should say it anyway - Free tickets to anyone with heritage from Palestine, Iran or Lebanon. There is a ticket option for this, get in touch for the password.

As this is a fundraiser, we have low capacity for low income/no wage tickets. We would absolutely offer free entry in exchange for a little time helping to volunteer on the day or prior to the festival. Please get in touch to discuss.

This event is being facilitated by Iota for tax purposes, so we can ensure all performers, stall holders and volunteers are covered under Employer's Insurance. We also have Public and Product Liability Insurance. Certificates for both of these have been made available to all involved in the running of the festival.