Returning to Hay-on-Wye’s beautiful Hay Castle from 20th – 22nd March after two sold-out editions, The Weekend of Mistakes 2026 will bring guests unique access to a thought-provoking line-up of bestselling authors and economists, with its signature deep dive into financial and economic history, and the lessons they hold for us today.
A weekend of insight, discovery, storytelling and spirited debate, this year’s programme features a range of topics, including:
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the mafia’s unlikely role in shaping 1960s queer nightlife;
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the economics of football and why Hollywood is investing in the UK’s lower leagues;
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Gen Z’s pension prospects as young taxpayers;
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why your water bill is so high (and how to fix it);
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Trumponomics and the new age of state capitalism;
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and what happens when debt worries become mental health issues.
Speakers confirmed for this year include Felix Salmon (author of The Phoenix Economy and host of Slate Money), Merryn Somerset Webb (editor-at-large of Bloomberg), Professor Dame Alison Wolf DBE (The XX Factor), Mona Siddiqui OBE (Professor of Religion and Society at King’s College London), Paul Cartledge (bestselling author of Thebes and Democracy), Anja Shortland (We Know You Can Pay a Million) and Lawrence Newport (campaigner and co-founder of Looking for Growth).
Unique to The Weekend of Mistakes is the opportunity for attendees to connect and discuss the themes raised during events with the authors and speakers, as well as breakfast discussions, book signings, networking sessions and more, all against the beautiful backdrop of Hay-on-Wye.
Merryn Somerset Webb said ‘the quality of speakers is off the scale’ at The Weekend of Mistakes, ‘and the best audience questions from any event.’ Edward Chancellor praised the ‘consistent high quality’ of the sessions available to attendees, a sentiment echoed by speaker Anja Shortland, who praised the blurring of ‘boundaries between the audience and speakers,’ calling it a ‘wonderful event and brilliant for everyone to share ideas and expertise in this relaxed atmosphere.’
Tom True, Director, Hay Castle Trust, said: “We can’t wait for Hay Castle to be alive again with discussions around past mistakes, follies and manias, and the lessons they hold for the way we live now. Pre-eminent economists, thinkers and authors will join together in this magical place to present a unique, challenging and entertaining weekend.’
