Hay FestivalGŵyl Hay

The Hay Festival is an annual 11-day literature and arts festival held every late May/early June in Hay-on-Wye, a small market town on the England–Wales border. Launched in 1988, it features hundreds of events—author talks, debates, music, poetry and family activities—on topics from global politics to local culture 1.

Hay-on-Wye is known as a 'town of books', and the festival builds on this literary tradition. It has become a major cultural event for Wales, showcasing writers and thinkers from around the world. For local communities, it provides access to high-profile literary figures and creative exhibits, reflecting the Welsh appreciation of storytelling and learning.