HowTheLightGetsIn 2026: The C&TH Guide

Fancy sharpening your mind this Spring Bank Holiday? From Friday 22 to Monday 25 May 2026, the world’s largest festival of ideas will return to the idyllic banks of the River Wye.

But it’s not just insightful talks that make HowTheLightGetsIn a must-visit: guests can also explore music, comedy and lively debates – plus restorative treatments from wellbeing partner Aurum, the perfect wind-down after a day packed with big ideas.

Here’s exactly what to expect from this year’s festival – plus how to secure your spot.

C&TH Readers Get 20 Percent Off Tickets With Code CTH26

HowTheLightGetsIn 2026: Everything You Need To Know

Building on its 16-year legacy of inspiring intellect, more than 350 speakers and performers will gather at the gorgeous site at the foot of the Black Mountains from 22–25 May 2026 to deliver a weekend of more than 300 events, from inspiring interdisciplinary talks to entertaining music, comedy and cabaret performances, all topped off with a selection of delicious food and drink.

What’s On At HowTheLightGetsIn 2026?

Talks

A comprehensive, multifaceted line-up of speakers has been announced, spanning mathematics and science, beauty and media, politics and philosophy, and everything in between. Highlights include:

• Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn
• Olivier Award-winning actress Sheila Atim
• Maverick theoretical physicist Brian Greene
• Renowned journalist Gillian Tett
• Political philosopher John Gray
• Spirited philosopher Slavoj Žižek
• Acclaimed historian David Starkey
• Award-winning writer and director Martha Fiennes

…And plenty more. See the full line-up at howthelightgetsin.org

Debates

HowTheLightGetsIn’s USP is the lively interdisciplinary debates, bringing expert researchers and radical thinkers from across a broad spectrum together in Hay.

And 2026 is no different: drawing together artists, philosophers and scientists (who you might spot delivering solo talks elsewhere across the festival) to tackle the problems of our times, expect spirited debates spanning some of the most pertinent questions of our time, from AI to equality to theories on the entire universe.

This year, panelists include Zarah Sultana, Zia Yusuf, Cornel West, Ivette Fuentes and plenty more field-leading experts. See the full line-up here.

© Sam McMahon

Comedy

HowTheLightGetsIn’s comedy and cabaret line-up is fit to burst with famous faces, up and comers and inevitable laughs – headlined in 2026 by Shappi Khorsandi (Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, QI) and Tom Rosenthal (Plebs, Friday Night Dinner).

But there’s plenty more on the bill, including Marty Gleeson, Huge Davies, Sharon Wanjohi and Krystal Evans. See the full line up here.

© Sam McMahon

Music

As well as the UK’s big thinkers, HowTheLightGetsIn festival attracts some of the UK’s most vibrant and forward-thinking artists. In 2026, this includes actor and musician Damian Lewis, Haçienda legend Graeme Park and festival favourite Camille O’Sullivan.

Elsewhere on the bill find Nerina Pallot, N’Famady Kouyaté, Ana Silvera, Girl Group and more. See the full line-up here.

© Sam McMahon

Where & When?

HowTheLightGetsIn will return to Hay-on-Wye from 4pm Friday 22 May to 5pm Monday 25 May 2026 – perfect for filling your Spring Bank Holiday, without any sore heads on Tuesday morning.

The festival site is set on the edge of the Black Mountains (just off Newport Street, HR3 5BZ), alongside the River Wye in the famed book town, just a five-minute walk from beloved performance venue The Globe at Hay.

How?

Festival tickets start from £268 per person, which grant access to all talks, debates and performances for the full weekend. You can also add on camping, or if you prefer to glamp, book one of HowTheLightGetsIn’s cute yurts.

Students and under 25s get 40 percent off, and children under 12 go free.

Don’t forget: Country & Town House readers get an exclusive 20 percent off tickets when using the code CTH26 at checkout. Visit howthelightgetsin.org to secure your spot.