The world's largest philosophy and music festival

Earlybird Tickets for HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2025 are now available to book!
Secure your spot to join us at our beautiful riverside location in Hay-on-Wye next Spring.

The HowTheLightGetsIn Story

HowTheLightGetsInFestival UnStamped 220919 MANCPHOTO300

The Big Ideas

Tickets

HowTheLightGetsIn

The HowTheLightGetsIn Story

"There is a crack in everything...that's how the light gets in". So goes the Leonard Cohen song from which our festival gets its name. At HowTheLightGetsIn we shine a light on some of the most exciting theories, and invigorating artists of the current day.

Tucked away at the foot of the black mountains, at HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2024 we brought together the bands you've been waiting to discover, ground-breaking ideas that have yet to make their mark. You contributed your thoughts, and danced the night away over a magical May Bank Holiday.

Join us again for HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2025 23-26 May for a bank holiday weekend you'll never forget.

Explore Now

The Big Ideas

In 2025 we'll be bringing together our biggest lineup yet for a bank holiday of illuminating debate and discussion on the banks of the River Wye.

Stay tuned for news of the world-leading thinkers and pioneers of philosophy, science, politics, and the arts.

Tickets

Presale Tickets for HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2025 are now sold out.

We will be releasing Earlybird Tickets very soon. Stay tuned!

Book Now!

Sign up to our newsletter

Thank you for subscribing!

A UK First. Back To Big Thinking

The Guardian

Press

Get the Latest Updates