HowTheLightGetsIn May 2021 is the world's largest philosophy and music festival. With the most original minds on the planet: from Nobel Prize winners to environmental campaigners, top politicians to radical journalists. Join us to challenge the limits of what you know.
Following two hugely successful virtual festivals in 2020, HowTheLightGetsIn May 2021 streams live across three time zones. From Delhi, London and New York, this is a truly global celebration. Live in a ground-breaking virtual reality space, join us for over 200 live events across ten virtual stages.
Alongside dynamic debates, speakers delve into their specialist topics in Solo Talks and Philosophy comes to life in Hat Sessions. In the Inner Circle, a select group of festival goers dine with some of the greatest minds on the planet. Usually nestling in the Welsh Hills of Hay-on-Way, HowTheLightGetsIn finds new ways to meet, talk and party.
Uniquely, HowTheLightGetsIn festivals lead with debates. They are alive with ideas. Our programmes have many names you will recognise but HowTheLightGetsIn festivals are not about status or celebrity. We are about free-thinking and wonder, creating a space where everyone's imagination can flourish. Find exciting new bands, discover ground-breaking new thinkers and ideas yet to make their mark, and ask questions in electrifying debates.
Debates and Speakers
DEBATES AND TALKS
Unique among festivals, debate is the beating heart of HowTheLightGetsIn festivals. With world-leading specialists exploring new ideas, our program is designed to inspire independent thought. Exploring the challenging festival theme Belief, Hypocrisy and Reason, HowTheLightGetsIn May 2021 will stream unique, live debates across the weekend.
Alongside debates, HowTheLightGetsIn May 2021 hosts fascinating Solo Talks. Hear eminent authors, Cabinet ministers, revolutionary philosophers and prize-winning scientists speak in-depth on their topic of expertise. From the perils of the cyber world to the future of cosmology, these talks expand your world view and inspire the mind.
SPEAKERS
An unrivalled line-up of speakers come together at HowTheLightGetsIn May 2021. From free-thinking writers and top philosophers to up-and-coming politicians and Nobel Prize-winning scientists. These thinkers are at the top of their fields, answering the defining questions within their disciplines.
Festival goers can meet the speakers after each event in the Meet the Speakers sessions. Ask your questions directly and discuss your own ideas. And, in the Hat, philosophy comes to life as speakers tell their life stories and set out their dreams.
For even deeper conversations, join your favourite festival speakers in the Inner Circle. These are intimate conversations with a world-leading thinker and select group of festival goers. Discuss your ideas with the most exciting philosophers, scientists, artists and politicians in some of the most memorable experiences of HowTheLightGetsIn Festivals. With only 20 tickets per event, sign up to hear the latest releases.
Music and performance
Celebrate music, comedy and dance at HowTheLightGetsIn May 2021. With award-winning singer-songwriters, jazz, world music and up-and-coming DJs, these acts rival the best of indie music festivals.
The comedy programme is cutting-edge. From the charismatic and absurd to oblique world-views, let HowTheLightGetsIn Winter Revel flip what you know about the wise and the fools.
And, of course, the much-anticipated Dance Tent will return - prepare for the most energetic virtual DJ set of your life!
"The art and soul of the party" - Harper's Bazaar
Social Spaces
Half the fun of HowTheLightGetsIn May 2021 is meeting other free-thinking, fun-seeking minds. Share the experience with your friends and other festival goers in free-flowing, dynamic social spaces, designed for conversations. Carry on debates and make new friends in innovative virtual venues after every event.
Meet the Speakers sessions give unparalleled access to the world's leading thinkers. Join the speakers in intimate group video calls after each debate: Ask your questions and carry on conversations directly with the world's finest minds. From Steven Pinker to Sabine Hossenfelder, Grace Blakeley to Paul Muldoon, HowTheLightGetsIn festival-goers have met incredible speakers.
Inner Circle events are a close meeting of minds. These special experiences are intimate conversations with a world-leading thinker and select group of festival goers. A perfect way to meet and get to know your favourite festival speakers. These are some of the most memorable experiences of HowTheLightGetsIn Festivals. With only 20 tickets per event, sign up to hear the latest releases.
