Reading Blues Festival

The Reading Blues Fest does not offer RV camping on site, and several of the venue sites are local hotels. However, RVers can plan to camp in the area and enjoy both music and nature in the same road trip.

Look for RV campgrounds outside of Reading and you will be rewarded with views of the Pennsylvania countryside. If you want nature, look for RV camping in state parks near Reading like French Creek State Park 15 miles to the southeast, or check out Gifford Pinchot State Park 70 miles to the west. Just 27 miles away in nearby New Holland, Pennsylvania is the Lancaster/New Holland KOA.

Whichever option you choose, it’s easy to find an RV campground near the Reading Blues Fest that doesn’t require a long drive to the venue. Many options, especially those in Lancaster, are less than an hour away from Reading.

Most of the venues at the Reading Blues Fest are not within walking distance of each other. If you plan to attend several events at several different locations, you will need to drive, take public transportation, or use a cab or rideshare service to get where you need to go.

RV campers should note that while it might be possible to drive and park your RV at one venue, the next one might prove challenging. With this in mind, it’s best to leave larger rigs at your Reading-area campground and bring a tow vehicle or find an alternate way from venue to venue.

You’ll be inside for most events at the Reading Blues Fest, but you’re going to want to pack those warm layers for the time that you spend outside. Temperatures are brisk during the late fall in Reading. Pack a coat, hat, gloves, and other warm apparel for staying toasty. Consider dressier clothes for the festival and more casual clothes around the campground.

If your RV campground near Reading offers a campfire ring, be sure to pack firewood or buy it locally. Also pack RV cookware, warm blankets for sleeping at night, and all essential toiletries. Bring cash to the festival if you plan on buying merchandise. Some venues may accept credit cards, but it’s best to be prepared in the event that any of them aren’t equipped to do so.

You’ll be spending most of your time either indoors or in urban environments, so forgo the bug spray and sunscreen when away from the campsite in favor of essentials that keep you warm and healthy on a cold day in the city. In addition to warm clothes, antibacterial hand gel is always a smart idea for staying germ-free amid a crowd during flu season. Pack any other over-the-counter items you need, such as aspirin.

Cooking options vary by campsite, so double-check with your campground hosts if you plan on making dinner outside or enjoying a fire. Don’t worry if you end up forgetting fuel or cooking supplies at home. There are grocery stores, convenience stores, and RV camping supply stores in Reading, Lancaster, and surrounding communities.

Typically, some of the venues for the Reading Blues Fest are restaurants. If you’re looking to try some local cuisine, this is a great chance to do so while listening to live music. Outside of the event, Reading is home to a diverse array of restaurants, including both upscale eateries and counter-service spots for a quick bite. Regional specialties include Philly cheesesteaks and homemade goods straight from Amish country.

Each venue you visit during this multi-location festival will differ in terms of food and drink, but expect more plentiful options at restaurant locations and fewer options at hotel locations. Menus may vary from year to year. Have cash for locally-owned vendors, which may not accept credit cards, and keep an eye out for unique items on merchandise tables after concerts.