Hay Festival has revealed the full programme for its 39th spring edition in Hay-on-Wye, with more than 500 events planned across 11 days from May 21 to 31, 2026.
The internationally renowned literary festival will once again bring writers, performers, experts and creatives from around the world to the book town in Powys, offering a packed schedule of talks, performances and debates.
Tickets are on sale now for Hay Festival Membership+, Patrons and Benefactors via hayfestival.org/hay-on-wye. Priority booking begins at noon on Wednesday March 11, with general booking opening on Saturday March 14.
Hay Festival Global CEO Julie Finch said: “Hay Festival 2026 will open minds to exploring the world through great writers, performers, experts, and the next generation of artists and activists offering us creative inspiration and hope for a better future. As the UK Government’s National Year of Reading invites the country to Go All In for books, our tents are open to all, spaces where everyone is welcome to exchange ideas and inspiration. See you there!”
This year’s programme introduces a range of new initiatives and programming strands designed to broaden the festival’s appeal and showcase emerging talent.
New features include My Life in Books sessions, where celebrities will share insights from their personal libraries, and Heard at Hay Festival panels designed to spark thought provoking debates.
The programme will also include America 250 conversations reflecting on the changing face of the United States, while the Pleasure List campaign will celebrate the joy of reading.
Fans of fiction can look forward to dedicated genre days spotlighting bestselling authors, alongside Barrel of Laughs sessions featuring comedians and writers with new books.
Other highlights include Book to Screen events exploring literary adaptations in The MUBI Cinema, the Debut Discoveries series showcasing emerging writers, and The Platform which elevates new creative voices.
Food lovers will be able to enjoy Matters of Taste demonstrations bringing culinary writing to life, while Creative Industry Insights sessions will offer guidance for young people interested in careers across the creative sector. South to North Conversations will also explore international perspectives through a series of global discussions.
Alongside the latest fiction and non fiction releases, the festival will also explore key issues shaping the world today, with contributions from politicians, economists, historians and scientists. Journalists and commentators will also reflect on the UK’s recent local elections.
Evenings at the festival will feature live music, comedy and entertainment, with organisers promising a renewed focus on immersive event experiences. Visitors can also enjoy a range of free pop up activities and performances taking place across the site between sessions.
Free to enter, the festival’s Dairy Meadows site in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park will once again host a variety of spaces for visitors to explore, including the Bookshop, BBC Marquee, Wild Garden, Make and Take Tent, exhibitors and market stalls, cafés and the Family Garden.
To explore the full programme and secure tickets, visit hayfestival.org/hay-on-wye.
