The clock strikes Shamazon Time: The Buy Nothing Festival

Delivered by The Rising Sun Arts Centre x AdFree Cities

Friday 27th November: 5pm-10pm

Saturday 28th November: 11am-10:30pm

Definitely not sponsored by Shamazon, because we made that up.

We are calling it a festival, but it's really a safe space from the Black Friday weekend / high street chaos. A chance to unplug and stop obsessing over product "deals" that are probably cheaper at other times of the year, to buy nothing and spend only time. Everything, bar the bar, is free.

We open our doors wide open and invite you to our exclusive, one-time only, selected-day delivery festival where we encourage active listening, curiosity, making connections and discovering the gorgeous world of visual arts. No market stalls, no advertising, just people. Entry is completely free, but advanced booking is required due to limited capacity.

This day we will say no to consumerism, together. We will stop scrolling and start building the foundation for our ongoing Billboards project (read more here – insert link to Strategy). We will have real human conversations during a 100% human-produced event, with your friends, your neighbours, and new interesting people who may inspire you to explore visual arts further, and the real meaning of community.

Every single ticket is free, thanks to funding from AdFree Cities. You will spend your time, rather than your hard-earned money. Buying a beverage at our bar will absolutely not put any money in the pockets of profit-hungry millionaires and billionaires, but it will support the running of the Rising Sun Arts Centre - an essential charity and community hub with many service users in need of this space. In addition, your presence will contribute to the success of a project that could be vital for your community's health and significantly change the landscape of Reading's urbanised spaces.

Please book your tickets in advance as spaces are very limited. This is an exclusive, unique event for insiders and outsiders where we will really learn together about the art of spending less.

Further information

On Friday, we begin downstairs with drinks and nibbles for all from 5pm, and interactive arts activities. From 7.30pm-8.30pm, there is a cabaret upstairs (unfortunately no step-free access), or the chance to relax in the bar downstairs and add to our wall art, or catch some folk music. Our final event is a campfire singsong from 9 till 10pm downstairs and the bar will be open till 11pm.

On Saturday, the venue is wheelchair accessible via the car park/back entrance and will take place in the Main Hall downstairs. There is one step via the front entrance. We have two toilets – both gender neutral, one wheelchair accessible.

Unfortunately, we can't afford a BSL interpreter. We will aim to record the event and subtitle, but this may not be possible depending on resources. The whole festival will be relaxed – come and go, bring fidget toys, whatever you need to do to be comfortable.

Description supplied by the event organiser.