Hay-on-Wye is preparing for a full weekend of festive activity from Friday 28 November to Sunday 30 November, with Christmas lights, live performances, street food, markets, family-friendly entertainment and the return of the Hay Festival Winter Weekend. The town centre will come alive with music, food, literary events and seasonal shopping, creating one of the busiest weekends of the year for visitors and locals alike.

The festivities begin on Friday 28 November in Memorial Square, which opens for food at 12pm, followed by an evening of performances from local groups and schools. The Christmas lights will be officially switched on at 6.30pm by Joanna Page, appearing alongside Hay’s Mike Harris, Julian Assirati and George. Hot food and drinks will be available throughout the afternoon and evening from a wide range of local producers, including pizzas, dumplings, hog roast, seasonal treats, cakes and bar options.

Families can enjoy activities with Hay Fire Station, Steam Engine Santa, and creative tables hosted by Clyro School and Hay School. Santa’s Postbox will be in the Buttermarket for children to post their letters, with prizes available. The much-loved Odd One Out window-spotting competition also returns, with answer sheets available at the Buttermarket on Friday night and from local shops until 31 December.

On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, the two-day Winter Weekend Market takes over the square, featuring street food, artisan producers, local makers and a flea market. Across the town, several pop-up markets will run on Sunday 30 November, including at The Globe at Hay and Chapters.

Running alongside the town’s festivities is the Hay Festival Winter Weekend at Hay Castle from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 November, bringing authors, speakers and live sessions to the iconic venue.

The Friday night switch-on event is a major community effort supported by Hay Town Council, Hay Chamber of Commerce, Hay Markets, Hay Castle, Hay Festival, local businesses, volunteers, partners and suppliers.

If your business is hosting an event in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), please share the details with Brecon Beacons Tourism for inclusion in our seasonal What’s On listings.