Thank you for an incredible HowTheLightGetsIn London 2026! See you in Hay!
Read HowTheLightGetsIn London 2025's Festival Guide for all information on the Box Office, Tickets, Timings etc.
How do I collect my festival wristband?
All you need is your confirmation code (LK___) found in your confirmation email to collect your Festival Wristband at the Box Office. If you're not able to find your code, please email enquiries@artandideas.org or call T: +44 (0) 20 7837 3000.
When is the festival?
HowTheLightGetsIn London 2025 is running from Saturday 20st September to Sunday 21nd September. Festival tickets will provide access to all events, including debates, talks, music, comedy, academy and late night parties.
Where is the festival?
HowTheLightGetsIn will take place on the grounds of North London's finest stately home, Kenwood House, at the tip of Hampstead Heath - NW3 7JR.
How long is each event?
Debates - 1 hour including a 15 minute audience Q&A.
Solo Talks / Hat Sessions - 45 minutes.
Academies - 2 hours total including two 45 minutes sessions with a half hour break.
Will I be refunded if the event is cancelled?
Yes. If we have to cancel due to circumstances outside of our control, you will have the option to roll your ticket over to a future event, or receive a refund on your ticket. Refunds will not be issued if the event goes ahead.
Can I use my ticket to watch recordings of the events after the festival is over?
All events will be released on IAI.tv at a later date. Pick up a ticket plus subscription and your first three months' access to IAI.tv is just £4.
Is camping available at the festival?
Camping is not available at HowTheLightGetsIn London.
Are dogs allowed on site?
Dogs are not allowed on site except guide and service dogs.
Can I park my bicycle at the festival site?
Spaces to secure bicycles are extremely limited in the area surrounding the festival site. We ask Festivalgoers to ensure bikes are not secured to the railings or other fixtures around Kenwood House.
Can I bring my own food and drink?
For health and safety reasons, external food and drink other than bottled water is not allowed on site.
I'm having problems buying my ticket
If you're having any issues purchasing your ticket, please email enquiries@artandideas.org.
I have a ticket for another HowTheLightGetsIn festival, can I use that for HowTheLightGetsIn London 2025?
You cannot use tickets for other HowTheLightGetsIn Festivals to access HowTheLightGetsIn London 2025.
I can no longer attend. Can I have a refund and who can I contact?
There will be no refunds issues unless the festival is cancelled, as detailed in our Terms and Conditions. Any complaints or compliments should be directed towards enquiries@artandideas.org
HowTheLightGetsIn London 2025 is set in the glorious grounds of Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath in London.
Getting there
• By train / London Underground – We recommend you travel to Highgate Underground Station on the Northern Line
• By foot – The pedestrian entrance to the site is via the East Lodge
• By car - There is free parking in Hampstead Lane but it fills up quickly so get there early
• By bicycle - While Hampstead Heath is a lovely place to cycle, please be aware that spaces to secure bikes are extremely limited. Festivalgoers are asked to not secure bikes to railings or other fixtures around Kenwood House.
This ticket is issued by TVF Limited on behalf of the Institute of Art and Ideas, henceforth the "organisers", and is subject to the terms and conditions indicated on this ticket or displayed at the "venue", HowTheLightGetsIn Festival at Kenwood House Gardens. Purchasers should note that this ticket is sold by the organisation responsible for the event.
Purchase and possession of a ticket signifies agreement to the following conditions:
1. This ticket is issued subject to the rules and regulations of the organisation, operators and management of the venue.
2. Every person entering the event must have a valid ticket.
3. Ticket holders are required to carefully check their tickets in advance of their visit; mistakes may not be rectified on the day.
4. The organisers reserve the right to refuse entry of the ticket holder to the event site. Customers found to be causing damage to the site, the site infrastructure, causing harm to any other person on site or in breach of these conditions will be subject to prosecution.
5. The organisers reserve the right to search all persons and personal property and refuse admission to, or eject from, the site any person who refuses to be searched by a security official.
6. This ticket is not transferable. No money will be refunded or tickets exchanged after purchase unless the event is cancelled. In the event of cancellation, the promoter’s sole obligation and liability shall be to offer a ticket for an alternative performance by the relevant artist, if available, or a full refund of the face value of this ticket. No other claims will be entertained. You will be contacted directly about cancellations at the email address used for your booking. Any questions about your claim should be directed to enquiries@artandideas.org.
7. No duplicate tickets or wristbands will be issued in the event of loss.
8. Admission to the site and performance is at the ticket holder’s own risk. Neither the promoter nor the site management shall be held liable for any injury or damage sustained within the site.
9. Ticket holders give their express consent to the use of their actual or simulated likeness in connection with the production, exhibition, advertising or exploitation of any film, video and/or audio recording of this event and/or any element thereof in any/all media throughout the world. This includes filming by the police or security which may be carried out for the security of customers.
10. The event promoter reserves the right to make any change whatsoever to the act programme owing to any unforeseen or unavoidable cause.
11. Neither the venue nor the organisation can accept responsibility for lost or stolen property.
12. The possession of this ticket shall constitute an acceptance by the holder of these conditions and imply an undertaking on the part of the holder to observe them. In the event of any breach of these conditions, the event promoter reserves the right to cancel this ticket and retain any monies paid theretofore.
13. Other than the provisions advertised or outlined by the box office at the time of sale, customers are required to address any special needs by contacting the box office in advance of their visit, as the event promoter may not be able to provide those needs without notice.
14. We do not store credit card details nor do we share customer details with any 3rd parties.
15. Paper lanterns shall not be brought onto or used on the festival site under any circumstances.
16. No dogs are allowed on the festival site, except guide and service dogs.
Please provide as much information as you can so we can answer your questions as quickly as possible.
General enquiries: enquiries@artandideas.org
Website Issues: webmaster@artandideas.org
Sponsorship: sara.bell@artandideas.org
Partnership: partnership@artandideas.org
Press: press@artandideas.org
HowTheLightGetsIn London is situated on the rolling lawns of the stunning Kenwood House in Hampstead Heath. For one weekend only you can be part of the world’s largest philosophy and music festival.
We are welcoming the very brightest, boldest and most innovative high-end traders, particularly those specialising in the unusual, the interesting, and the extraordinary.
If what you do or sell is genuinely special then we want to hear from you.
To apply to trade, please send us your details here
At HowTheLightGetsIn, we strive to ensure that everyone can enjoy the event, so we try our best to make the festival site as accessible as possible.
Festival Site
HowTheLightGetsIn takes place in the grounds of Kenwood House. The area is predominantly grass, with limited hard standing pathways. In the event of bad weather, mud and puddles are likely.
There will be some hardened pathways covering the main walking routes through the site, but just as we prepare for all conditions we do ask that you do to. So please consider the ground conditions and unpredictable British weather when deciding what facilities, you may need and what equipment you need to bring.
We will of course have dedicated Disabled Toilets - location TBC closer to the time of the festival.
Car Park Access
There will be an on-site car park with dedicated Disabled spaces.
If you'd like to book a Disabled Parking space please emailed enquiries@artandideas.org with your vehicle registration and full name.
Personal Assistant / Carer Ticket
We provide a free ticket for a personal assistant or carer to ticket holders who would be unable to attend, or those whose experience would be greatly impaired without their presence.
In order to apply please drop us an email at enquiries@artandideas.org. We will endeavour to respond to your request within 7 working days.
Service Dogs & ESAs
The festival recognises and welcomes accredited guide dogs & assistance dogs which have been trained by a member of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or Assistance Dogs International (ADI). HowTheLightGetsIn requests that all festival goers who wish to bring their accredited guide & assistance dogs provide their ID card or certificate issued by the training organisation on entry. If you do not currently have official documentation, we kindly ask that you pre-register your animal to avoid any confusion at the box office.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) must be pre-registered before the festival. Only ESAs with prior approval from the HowTheLightGetsIn team will be permitted on site and our team reserves the ability to deny access to festival goers without pre-registered ESAs.
All animals permitted to enter our festival site will be given a tag by the box office to ensure identification is possible by on-site staff. All festival goers are responsible for managing and controlling the hygiene and welfare of their animal whilst on-site.
To pre-register your animal, please click here.
Tent Access
All those with disabilities or less able to stand will not need to queue to enter a venue and will not need to purchase Fast Passes for disability access. Please speak to our Stewards on the door of each venue.
Any other questions?
Get in touch with us by emailing enquiries@artandideas.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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