Hay Winter Weekend

Hay Festival Winter Weekend is an annual festival of ideas just before Christmas in Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire. Events take place at venues around the town, and include a wide range of author conversations, music, comedy and performance, as well as workshops for young people.

Each year we have a selection of great exhibitors at the festival venue, bringing our audiences together with delicious food, beautiful products, and interesting charities and projects. Our exhibitors at Winter Weekend 2019, bring the flavours of Wales, beautiful arts and great progressive charities to the festival venue. Exhibitors’ stands are all located in the Festival Tent.

Hay town during Advent is full of activity, socialising and festive good cheer. These are some of the delights you can experience on a visit to Hay for our Winter Weekend festival.

See Hay-on-Wye transformed into a winter wonderland brimming with festive cheer as a special guest turns on the town’s Christmas Lights during Hay Festival Winter Weekend.

Accompanied by carol singing, readings and evening entertainment, it’s an evening of family fun to kick off the weekend in good spirits.

Castle Street is closed to vehicles so lots of the independent shops spill out onto the pavement; chestnuts roast, mince pies are aplenty and cider and wine is mulled, the smells and sounds all inviting you down to the Cheese Market/Memorial Car Park where Hay School and more than twenty other local businesses have Christmas Stalls in the huge marquee.

Foodies can choose to sample a little bit of everything, or tuck into their favourite foods and drink– and if that proves tiring, there are plenty of cafes, book stores and shops around the Town where they can take a break.

There is no entrance charge so come along and sample what is on offer and buy those early Christmas presents.

Throughout the day, there will be fantastic entertainment on offer with local choirs and other musical treats.