When is Hay Festival?
Hay Festival will takes place between Thursday 21 and Sunday 31 May 2026.
What to expect from Hay Festival?
This year’s world-class line-up features Emma Thompson, Dawn French, Malala Yousafzai, Michael McIntyre, Fredrik Backman, Miriam Margolyes, Manic Street Preachers, Bear Grylls, Hugh Bonneville, Mary Berry, Aled Jones, Bernardine Evaristo, Ian McEwan, Maggie O'Farrell, Ocean Vuong, David Olusoga, Simon Schama, and hundreds more.
Do I need to buy a festival ticket?
The Hay Festival site is free to enter with events ticketed individually. Enjoy family activities, late-night entertainment, and free pop-up performances across the site. Explore the Family Garden, Make & Take Tent, BBC Marquee, MUBI Cinema, bookshop, cafés and market stalls. Only book the events you want to see.
Browse events and book your tickets
How do I get to Hay Festival by train?
The closest train station to Hay-on-Wye can be found at Hereford. There is a special bus service which runs between Worcester, Hereford and Hay throughout the Festival, linking as closely as possible with arrivals at Hereford train station, Hereford bus station, and Worcester Crowngate bus station. Tickets can be bought on the bus.