Hay Festival is a not-for-profit organisation that brings readers and writers together to share stories and ideas in sustainable events around the world.
Run by a small team in Hay-on-Wye, the festivals inspire, examine and entertain, inviting participants to imagine the world as it is and as it might be.
Curator's Picks
Cattle Market, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5DQ
Hay Festival Winter Weekend transforms 'the town of books' into a festive wonderland of ideas with literary conversation, candle-lit storytelling, comedy, music, and family workshops.
Highlights include Booker Prize 2019 winner Bernardine Evaristo; BBC broadcaster Emma Barnett; Extinction Rebellion’s Rupert Read; Labour MP Jess Phillips; and late night music, comedy and cabaret from Chainska Brassika, Jason Byrne, Russell Kane, Sarah-Louise Young, Mid Wales Opera, a surprise all-star Shakespeare performance.
The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5BG
A variety of kids workshops to celebrate Day of the Dead, a day to celebrate the lives of our ancestors!
There will be workshops throughout the day including: Making Lanterns, Flower Wreaths and painting traditional skeletons and much much more! (Workshops suitable for ages 5 - 12yrs).
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, Hereford, HR4 9AU
Step inside Hereford Museum and Art Gallery after opening hours during #HfdsLates and you'll find woolly mammoths, animation workshops and more...
Cheese Market, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5AF
Musician, writer and BBC broadcaster Cerys Matthews brings more festive cheer to Hay-on-Wye as she switches on the town's Christmas lights.
The free event will feature carol singing, readings, mulled wine and mince pies to kick off the Festival weekend in good spirits. Families are invited to create their own colourful Christmas lanterns in Hay Public Library from 3.30pm.
De Koffie Pot, Hereford, HR4 9DG
Running now for more than two years, the group is an opportunity for artists of any ability to get together to draw a live nude model. The group is hosted by a teaching artist from whom artists can get guidance and encouragement should they want it. Poses range from 3-30 minutes to encourage different styles and mediums. Just bring along your own materials and join in.
The bar below offers great food and drinks which can be brought into the drawing room. 7pm - 9.30pm.
Fairfield High School, Peterchurch, HR2 0SG
An evening of folk music and entertainment from the "achingly good" (New York Times) The Bookshop Band with Ben Please and Spell Songs singer Beth Porter.
Parish Hall, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5AB
The Hay Shantymen have been singing for 4 years. They have done gigs in pubs, gone 'on tour' to St Davids, sung on the Golden Hind and in the Southbank Centre. They have got a wicked sense of humour in their repertoire; you are guaranteed to have a laugh and enjoy some sea tunes. From 7pm.
The Loft Cinema, Hereford, HR4 0BX
Arguably the most unashamedly entertaining film trilogy ever, the Back to the Future series is shown back-to-back over one time-hopping afternoon in Hereford.
Starts at 1pm.
Weobley Village Hall, Weobley, HR4 8RZ
This is an innovative puppet show for all ages relating the story of Weobley's own Ella Mary Leather who is buried in Weobley churchyard. She was a friend of Vaughan Williams and they worked together to preserve local folk music that had been passed down through generations. From 7pm - 10.30pm.
Aylestone School, Broadlands Lane, Hereford.
A careers event with a difference – young professionals from the creative industries will lead inspiring active workshops for young people from 4-5pm.
Then it opens up from 5.30pm for pupils, teachers, careers advisors and parents to you can hear from successful local creative professionals about the challenges, benefits and pathways to careers in this growing sector. Register for free on Eventbrite below.
