Hay Festival

Overview

The Hay Festival takes place in Hay-on-Wye, a small town in Powys, Wales, nestled on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Founded in 1988, the festival has grown from humble beginnings in a pub garden to a globally renowned celebration of literature and ideas. Located on an 11-acre site called Dairy Meadows, the festival brings together writers, thinkers, performers, and audiences for an immersive cultural experience. Bill Clinton famously described it as the "Woodstock of the mind", highlighting its significance in the global literary landscape. The festival features over 600 events, including author talks, panel discussions, debates, readings, and performances, making it a pivotal platform for intellectual and creative exchange.

Line-up

View the tickets and programme here.
Note: Line-ups can evolve/change closer to the event — check back regularly to stay up to date.

Location

Hay Festivaltakes place at: Dairy Meadows,Brecon Rd, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, HR3 5PJ, on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. The festival site is a short walk from the centre of Hay‑on‑Wye — a small, walkable market town known for its bookshops, countryside views, and relaxed borderlands charm. Surrounded by rolling hills and riverside paths, the setting offers a peaceful but well‑connected base for the event's literary and cultural programme.

Travel Info

For the latest travel advice and arrival tips — including public transport, shuttle buses, and driving options — see the festival’s Travel Page.

Tickets

Basic Price Range: Free - £120

You can enter the festival site without a ticket, for specific events however, you will need to purchase a ticket. To avoid disappointment it is advised to purchase a ticket in advance.

Note: seating is NOT pre-allocated, unless you purchase a Premium Ticket Package, where you enjoy queue free access and reserved seating in the first 3 rows.

Tickets to Hay Festival can be purchased online via their Tickets Page. For other ways to book and ticketing terms, visit the Booking Information Page.

Options include:

Individual Event Tickets
Premium Ticket Package - £120 (Seems a bit tricky to find this option, view the schedule in "list view", scroll all the way to the bottom where you can find the option.)
Festival Lounge Pass

Accommodation

Hay Festival is NOT (necessarily) a camping festival, please arrange your own accommodation.

Hay Festival's Accommodation Page is super useful, providing lots of options to plan your visit.

Some Accommodation Options:

Find Me A Bed (Official accommodation service & booking agent.)
Tangerine Fields (Offers riverside camping & glamping in the heart of the town center.)
Glamping with Fred's Yurts