Making the Most of Reading Week on a Budget

Written by: Tuleen Tayeh, 5th Year Health Science Specialization and Psychology Major 
Photo by: Western Communications 

Reading Week is finally here! Whether you're staying in London, heading home, or just looking for a break from school, this is a great time to relax, catch up with friends, and do something you enjoy. And the best part? You don't have to spend a lot of money to make the most of your week. 

From cheering on the Mustangs to exploring London, there are plenty of free and budget-friendly activities to add to your Reading Week plans. Here are a few ideas to help you have a fun and relaxing week without breaking the bank! 

Cheer on the Mustangs 

Photo Source: Western Mustang News 

Looking for something fun to do during Reading Week? Show your Western spirit and catch a Mustangs home game! Regular-season home games are free for Western students with a valid ONECard, making them a great option if you're looking for something to do without spending money. 

Check the Western Mustangs calendar to see the full game schedule. Here are the home games happening around Reading Week: 

Friday, October 9 

  • Men's Hockey vs. Toronto Varsity Blues — 7 p.m., Thompson Arena (Home Opener!) 
  • Field Hockey vs. Guelph Gryphons — 7:30 p.m., Mustangs Field 

Saturday, October 10 

  • Men's Rugby vs. Waterloo Warriors — 1 p.m., Mustangs Field 
  • Women's Soccer vs. Laurier Golden Hawks — 1 p.m., Alumni Field 
  • Men's Hockey vs. Waterloo Warriors — 3 p.m., Thompson Arena 
  • Men's Soccer vs. Laurier Golden Hawks — 3:15 p.m., Alumni Field 
  • Women's Rugby vs. Queen's Gaels — 3:30 p.m., Mustangs Field 

Friday, October 16 

  • Men's Hockey vs. Windsor Lancers — 7 p.m., Thompson Arena 
  • Men's Lacrosse vs. McMaster Marauders — 8 p.m., Mustangs Field 

Saturday, October 17 

  • Field Hockey vs. York Lions — 1 p.m., Mustangs Field 
  • Men's Lacrosse vs. Brock Badgers — 7 p.m., Mustangs Field 

And there's an extra reason to check out the Men's Hockey game against Windsor on October 16! First-year students can enter the Show for Dough contest for a chance to win money. One first-year student's name will be drawn during the game, and if they're in attendance, they could win! 

Grab your friends, wear some purple, and cheer on the Mustangs! 

Explore London's Fall Scenery

Photo Source: London Community Foundation 

You don't have to spend money to get out and enjoy Reading Week. With fall in full swing, it's a great time to explore some of London's parks and trails with a friend. 

Grab a coffee or hot chocolate, put on your favourite playlist or podcast, and go for a walk while taking in the fall colours. You could check out Springbank Park, Gibbons Park, Westminster Ponds, or Medway Valley Heritage Forest, or pick a spot you've never been to before and make an afternoon out of exploring somewhere new. 

Cost: Free! 

Check Out a Fall Event 

Photo Source: London Tourism

Reading Week happens to fall right in the middle of spooky season, so why not take advantage of some of London's fall events? 

On Saturday, October 17, you can check out events such as Halloween in Argyle, the Berkshire Autumn Market, or Coven Fest 2026. There are also events happening throughout the weekend, including CANPEX 2026 from October 17–18. 

Check the Tourism London events calendar before heading out to see event details, dates, times, and admission information. 

Have a Cozy Night In

Photo Source: Ekaterina Kasimova on Unsplash 

Going out can get expensive quickly, especially when you add up food, drinks, transportation, and tickets. Instead, invite some friends over and have a night in! 

Try a movie marathon, game night, bake-off, or themed dinner. Everyone can bring a snack or something they already have at home, making it easy to keep the cost low. 

You could even make it a no-spend night and see what you can create using things you already have. 

Cost: As little as $0! 

Cook Something With Friends

Photo Source: Odiseo Castrejon on Unsplash 

Instead of going out for dinner, why not make dinner together? 

Choose a recipe, split the ingredients between everyone, and make a meal together. It can be anything from homemade pizza to pasta, tacos, cookies, or whatever you're in the mood for. 

Cooking with friends can turn a regular meal into an activity, and splitting the cost of groceries is usually much cheaper than eating out. 

Treat Yourself - Without Overspending

Photo Source: Ava Sol on Unsplash 

Being budget-friendly doesn't mean you can't treat yourself during Reading Week. 

Set yourself a small spending limit and choose one thing you really want to do. Maybe it's grabbing a coffee with a friend, getting your favourite snack, visiting a thrift store, or checking out a new café. 

The key is to decide on your budget before you go. That way, you can enjoy yourself without worrying about accidentally spending more than you planned. 

Take Time to Actually Rest

Photo Source: bruce mars on Unsplash 

Reading Week can sometimes turn into “catch-up-on-everything-week,” but remember that taking a break is important too. 

Give yourself permission to sleep in, watch a show, hang out with friends, go for a walk, or just have a quiet day. You don't need to have every minute planned for your Reading Week to be productive. 

If you have assignments or studying to catch up on, try setting aside a little time each day so you can still make room for things you enjoy. 

Make the Most of Your Reading Week 

You don't need a big budget or an elaborate trip to have a great Reading Week. Whether you're cheering on the Mustangs, exploring London, spending time with friends, or having a cozy night at home, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your time off without breaking the bank. 

So take a break, try something new, and most importantly, give yourself some time to recharge before classes start again! 

Published on