Free Park Life Reads returns to Nuneaton next July

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-27 15:47 3 min read

A large crowd gathers in a park to watch a live outdoor street performance.

Families can put one confirmed date in their diaries: Park Life Reads 2027 will take place at Riversley Park in Nuneaton on 31 July 2027. The community festival is free and designed for families, with literacy, learning and wellbeing at the heart of the day.

Warwickshire County Council confirmed the return after attendance nearly doubled in 2026. Planning is now under way, although the full programme and opening times have not yet been published.

Riversley Park will host the free family festival

Park Life Reads is organised by Warwickshire County Council’s library service and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s Museum Service. It has brought families into Riversley Park for the past two years through reading activities, creative workshops and family entertainment.

Funding comes through Warwickshire’s status as a National Portfolio Organisation. This allocates Arts Council England funding to promote literacy in priority areas, supporting free events, goods and activities for local families. The council says this has included free lunches and ice creams alongside the programme.

The confirmed cost is therefore straightforward: Park Life Reads is a free event. Its organisers have not yet provided details of any booking process.

Storytelling and creative workshops shaped earlier events

The programme for 2027 has not been announced, but previous Park Life Reads days show the range of activities the organisers have brought to Riversley Park. These have included:

Live illustration and storytelling sessions
Art, craft and author workshops
Bhangra sessions and creative activities based on Shakespeare
Face painting and henna art
A bouncy castle and massage stations
Book giveaways from the National Literacy Trust
Appearances by Bluey and Eko the Sea Giant

The council has not confirmed which attractions or guests will return in 2027. The earlier programme should be treated as an indication of the festival’s format rather than a final schedule for next July.

Reading remains the purpose behind the park activities

Councillor Mike Bannister, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for Resources and Internal Affairs, said the free programme could provide a boost for families affected by cost-of-living pressures.

The council also uses the event to build links with local communities and encourage more people to read, learn and use libraries. It connects reading with educational achievement, employment opportunities and helping people fulfil their potential.

One example came during the 2026 event, when Nuneaton Borough Football Club encouraged local boys to take an interest in reading. The council identified that group as one it particularly wants to engage through community partnerships and familiar local organisations.

Timings and arrival information are still to come

The date, venue and free cost are confirmed, but the organisers have not yet published start or finish times. Booking arrangements, transport guidance and accessibility information have also not been provided.

Families considering the event can currently plan around Riversley Park on 31 July 2027, while waiting for the detailed programme and visitor information. Warwickshire County Council directs readers to Warwickshire Libraries for future information and details of involvement in the National Year of Reading.

Source: Warwickshire County Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check How this event was checked

The event preview was checked against Warwickshire County Council’s published announcement, with unconfirmed 2027 programme details clearly identified.

Checks