The count down is on and excitements is building for the 2024 Hay Literary Festival
23 May - 2 June 2024 the booktown of Hay-on-Wye welcomes writers, readers, thinkers and dreamers of all ages for 11 days of events and activities.
As the world’s leading festival of ideas, Hay Festival brings readers and writers together to inspire, examine and entertain.
The site is free to enter with tickets starting from just £5, explore the full programme and book your tickets at hayfestival.org/hay-on-wye.
To mark this Olympic year, we present our first ever Hay Festival Sports Day on Wednesday 29 May. Worlds collide as leading thinkers join sports stars for a showcase of creative talent. One of football’s most successful players ever, Gary Lineker discusses his latest act as head of a podcasting empire, Lord Sebastian Coe discusses its past and future with journalist Matthew d’Ancona, plus a packed schedule of free pop-up sporting activities take over the site on Wednesday 29 May.
Hay Festival President Stephen Fry joins cricketing experts Azeem Rafiq and Claire Taylor to discuss the big issues in the game with scientist Adam Rutherford. He is also umpiring a celebrity cricket match.
Hay Festival Families - There’s so much to entertain the whole family at Hay Festival, from babies to grown-ups. Feed your creativity and curiosity in inclusive events with authors, illustrators and performers.
Learn new skills in interactive make & take workshops.
Spend time together in the new Family Garden – exploring, reading, playing.
Our 2024 programme for young people includes BBC Ranger Hamza Yassin, Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, astronomer extraordinaire Maggie Aderin-Pocock, poets Michael Rosen, Joseph Coelho, Hanan Issa, Casi Wyn, scientists Robert Winston, Dr Amir Khan, activists Shelina Janmohamed, Jeffrey Boakye, Nikita Gill, illustrators Rob Biddulph, Lauren Child, Ed Vere, and many more, from Lenny Henry, Michael Morpurgo, Greg Jenner, MC Grammar, AF Steadman, Cressida Cowell, Jacqueline Wilson, Robin Stevens, Katherine Rundell, Preet Chandi, Abi Elphinstone, Katya Balen, Laura Dockrill, Nia Morais, David Baddiel, Julian Clary & David Roberts to Dermot O’Leary.
Take a look at some of our recommendations in and around Hay.
Baskerville Hall offers a range of accommodation a short distance from Hay on Wye. 28 en-suite rooms, camping and bunkhouse style accommodation.
By The Wye ; Glamping in a tree house, a sauna, hot tubs, small peoples playing areas and getting close to nature are all part of this experience. A breathe of fresh air is often all it takes.
River Wye Activity Centre ; with camping & bunkhouse accommodations they cover many bases for group and family options. With regular food pop ups during weekends and holiday periods you will find a piece of peace away from the bustle of Hay itself.
Lower Porthamel Camping ; settle in your tent, in an orchard, beautifully understated.
Other accommodations throughout the area Where to Stay
Black Mountain Activity Centre ; Inspired by those talks? Get outside and do something a little different.
Walk Hay ; Take a guided walk with Sarah and find out about the area. Sarah offers private walking experiences or join one of her group walks.
River Wye Activity Centre ; From Canoeing to Archery
Other Things To Do
Bear in mind booking is pretty much essential during the festival period, do call ahead before setting off to find food.
Chapters Restaurant ; Small and perfectly formed. In Hay town centre. Holder of a Green Michelin Star for sustainability.
The Felin Fach Griffin ; Award winning gastro pub, sited about 15 minutes away from Hay, Childrens Menu available.
Various pop ups appear on local businesses Social medias
Check out Sobramesa in Talgarth.
All photos are © Hay Festival
