Hay Festival 2024: A Triumph of Stories, Ideas, and Connection
Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye closed on Sunday, 2 June 2024, leaving audiences inspired after more than 700 spectacular events spanning eleven unforgettable days. With thousands of writers, thinkers, and readers gathered in the idyllic town of Hay-on-Wye, the Festival celebrated the enduring power of storytelling, connection, and creativity against a backdrop of the stunning Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
This year saw significant growth, with footfall up six per cent and ticket sales rising eight per cent compared to 2023. Many first-time attendees travelled from across the globe to experience the Festival’s unique blend of literary excellence, insightful debates, world-class performances, and family-friendly activities.
An Unparalleled Line-up of Visionaries
The 2024 Festival featured a stellar array of speakers, ensuring there was something for everyone. Literary highlights included discussions with authors Amor Towles, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Colm Tóibín, David Mitchell, and Elif Shafak, while comedians Sara Pascoe, Ruby Wax, and Julian Clary brought laughter to the Festival stages.
Audiences were captivated by thought-provoking conversations with historians Alice Roberts and Greg Jenner, as well as political insights from Theresa May, Julia Gillard, and Rory Stewart. Musical performances from icons like Bonnie Tyler, James Blunt, and Geri Halliwell-Horner delighted attendees, while actors Dame Judi Dench, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Fry, and Toby Jones added their own charisma to the proceedings.
Making an Impact Through Inclusivity
Accessibility and inclusivity took centre stage at Hay Festival 2024. Nearly 20,000 free tickets were issued to primary and secondary schools, enabling students to engage with creative minds in person, while more than 8,500 pupils participated digitally. The Festival ensured that audiences worldwide could enjoy its highlights, offering free streams through The British Library, the Living Knowledge Network, and BBC broadcasts, with the Festival’s TikTok channel earning millions of views.
Navigating Global Challenges
True to its mission, Hay Festival explored pressing global issues with nuance and expertise. Julie Finch, Hay Festival Global CEO, emphasised the importance of the event as a space for dialogue and shared understanding:
“At a time of intense polarity, the past 11 days have showed us all how essential festivals are in bringing people together. On stage and off, we have crossed borders to navigate some of the biggest issues of our times with nuance and expertise. Our increased footfall shows that demand for these spaces has never been higher.”
Panels and talks ranged from explorations of environmental sustainability to historical retrospectives and powerful discussions on gender equality. The variety and depth of the topics showcased Hay Festival’s commitment to being more than an arts celebration—it was a hub for vital conversations.
A Vibrant Festival Experience
Beyond its headline events, Hay Festival 2024 offered moments of magic for all ages, with a vibrant selection of pop-up performances, creative workshops, and interactive activities throughout the Festival site. Families flocked to the Make & Take Tent and Family Garden, while live performances ensured excitement at every turn.
For book lovers, the Festival proved a paradise. Among the top bestsellers were Rory Stewart’s Politics on the Edge, Colm Tóibín’s Long Island, Bettany Hughes’ Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and George Monbiot’s Invisible Doctrine. These works exemplify the calibre of ideas and storytelling that Hay Festival continues to champion.
A Bright Future Ahead
As the curtain closed on Hay Festival 2024, it left audiences with a sense of hope and energy for the future. The Festival reaffirmed its mission of connecting people, sparking dialogue, and inspiring creativity on a global scale. Whether in person, digitally, or through Hay Festival Anytime, the event’s reach and impact are undeniable.
Looking ahead, Hay Festival continues its journey of innovation and inclusivity with plans for new initiatives and events in the coming year. For anyone who has experienced the magic of Hay-on-Wye, the anticipation for 2025 begins now.
