Hay Winter Weekend triples capacity for 2023

Sebastian Faulks, Louis de Bernières, Afua Hirsch and Stephen Fry are among those headlining the Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2023, which has tripled in capacity since last year.

The event runs from 23rd to 26th November, featuring more than 70 acclaimed writers, and “offering creative solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, and spreading festive joy in conversations, candle-lit storytelling, comedy music, and workshops”, organisers said.

Now in its 24th year, events will take place in a new 350-seater marquee in the grounds of Hay Castle, tripling the event’s previous capacity. Additional events will also take place in the Castle’s Clore space, as well as venues around town, including St Mary’s Church and The Poetry Bookshop. For audiences unable to attend in person, selected sessions are available to livestream remotely with an Online Festival Pass.

There will also be appearances from actor and author Hugh Bonneville, lexicographer Susie Dent, historian David Olusoga, wildlife cameraman and “Strictly Come Dancing” winner Hamza Yassin as well as Laura Bates, of Every Day Sexism and the full Booker Prize shortlist.

Hay Festival c.e.o. Julie Finch said: “Ideas sparkle at Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2023 as we mark the season’s change with bold new visions for the future and a heady dose of entertainment and joy. With a new home in the centre of Hay-on-Wye in the grounds of Hay Castle, we have tripled the capacity of this year’s event, offering access to more Festivalgoers than ever, live and online.”

Hay Castle executive director Tom True said: “Hay Castle is a beacon of arts, literature, and learning at the heart of our special town. We’re proud to work with Hay Festival Foundation and to host an expanded programme of exciting events at this historic site.”

General booking opens at 9am on Friday (29th September). For more information, visit hayfestival.org/winter-weekend.