Hay Festival Winter Weekend returns to the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye for a festive edition featuring over 60 artists. The four-day event runs from November 26 to 29, bringing a mix of talks, music, comedy, and seasonal entertainment to the historic market town. This edition marks the festival’s 40th spring programme, continuing its tradition of bringing big names to the ‘world’s first book town’ in Powys, just over the border from Herefordshire.
Authors and Personal Stories
The festival will host a wide range of conversations. Nick Harkaway, the author and son of John le Carré, will speak with Gary Raymond. Former Buddhist monk Sam Yo will discuss his new book, “The Monk’s Mindset,” with Cole Moreton. Writer Luke Wright brings his personal story, “Later Life Letter: A Story of Family, Adoption and Love,” to the Castle. Chef and food writer Olia Hercules will talk about her experiences in Ukraine with Charlotte Higgins.
Other speakers include Kate Mosse, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, and explorer Will Millard. The programme covers serious topics alongside lighter fare. Greg Wise will speak with psychotherapist Julia Samuel about grief and loss. Lucy Porter will discuss her book, “Middle-Aged Women Get Sh*t Done,” with Welsh comic Kiri Pritchard-McLean. For fans of The Great Pottery Throwdown, Keith Brymer Jones will be in conversation with Kate Humble.
Local Voices and Festive Fun
The toxic chemicals scandal in Wales will be a focus of discussion. Dan Ashby, Lucy Taylor, and Bethan Rhys Roberts will explore the issue, which recently gained attention through Michael Sheen’s BBC documentary series, “Buried.” And Fans of Greg James and Chris Smith can join their “hilarious, high-energy, interactive event” to discover how Santa has been recruited as super-spy, “Treble-Ho Seven”.
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Performance highlights include poet Alex Wharton, pianist Andrew Zolinsky, and musicians David Gray and Mary Colwell. Kairos, the Hay Shantymen, Got 2 Sing Choir, Llareggub Brass Band, and The Brothers Gillespie will also perform. The weekend coincides with the big Christmas lights switch-on in Memorial Square, in front of Hay Castle, on the Friday evening.
Extending Reach to the West
While the Winter Weekend programme is now set, the festival’s future plans for 2027 and beyond remain a topic of discussion within the cultural sector. The organisers’ decision to expand into Bristol and maintain a strong presence in Wales suggests a strategy focused on broad accessibility and long-term sustainability for the event.
Attendees can find the full programme and updates by visiting hayfestival.com or following @hayfestival on social media.