Between 21 and 31 May this year, the Hay Festival of Literature & Arts (more popularly known as the Hay Festival) will run for its 38th year. With over 500 events scheduled with a variety of notable figures from the arts in attendance, it is likely that the small Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye will be stuffed to the breaking point over this ten-day period. For those who wish to be part of this crowd, this is a guide to the 2026 Hay Festival!
The line-up includes authors, actors, comedians, presenters, and more. The bookworms will not be disappointed by the line-up of authors, which includes popular names such as Maggie O’Farrell (Hamnet), Ocean Vuong (On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous), and Douglas Stuart (Shuggie Bain).
As well as celebrating and showcasing established authors, on each day of the festival, a spotlight is dedicated to the best debut fiction. The lineup for these authors includes Edinburgh University graduate Grace Murray, who will be discussing her debut novel Blank Canvas on Saturday, May 23rd at 5.30pm. This will be in conversation with Len Pennie.
The festival states that it is for both literature and the arts, and in this it does not disappoint. Key figures including Malala Yousafzai, Emma Thompson, and Bear Grylls are stated to be attending. There will be a combination of comedy shows, interviews, panels, and events, including crafting sessions and tours of the historic town.
The festival has a rich history, beginning in 1988, with the idea originating from a Hay-on-Wye local, Peter Florence. The first festival was a success, with the playwright Arthur Miller (The Crucible) attending. The Sunday Times sponsored the festival in its second year of running, and it is now sponsored by a range of organisations, including the Welsh Government and the investment management firm Bailie Gifford.
For those interested in purchasing tickets, the general booking opened last Saturday, March 14. You do not need a ticket to enter the festival site, but the Hay Festival organisers state that you will need to book individual tickets for each event you attend. The prices vary per event; to see popular authors such as Ian McEwan, you will be paying £20.
If people want to get ahead on their reading in preparation for attending the festival, there is a full reading list available on the website. The Hay Festival bookstore is supported by the platform Bookshop.org, which states that they give over 80% of profit margin to independent bookshops, supporting over 600 stores. In this, you can pre-order signed books from authors such as Maggie O’Farrel and Gillian Anderson (Want).
The Hay Festival in 2026 promises to be an exciting ten days of literature, cinema, comedy, and more. No doubt the tickets for popular events will quickly sell out, so if there is anyone you are keen to see it is recommended that you get your laptop set up quickly so you can start booking tickets.
Photo by Ruan Martinelli on Unsplash