First speakers and debates released!
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. If you have any questions that are not covered in the below please email enquiries@artandideas.org and our head of accessibility Millie will try to respond to your request within 7 working days.
Click here to download a Word Document version of the below accessibility information, in larger text.
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. To receive a Carer’s Ticket you must have already purchased a ticket for to attend yourself.
To apply for a Carer’s Ticket please drop us an email at enquiries@artandideas.org. Include your ticket confirmation number along with the name of the personal assistant/ carer.
Site conditions: HowTheLightGetsIn takes place on the bank of the River Wye, and in the surrounding fields. The area is predominantly grass. In the event of bad weather, mud and puddles are likely.
There will be some hardened pathways covering the main 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.
Entering the site: Details on the specific location of the site entrance, along with its location in relation to the campsite, car parking will be updated near to the event. A to scale map, including the location of camping, parking, the medical tent, and disabled toilets, will be available nearer to the festival date.
Events & Stages: All event venues are wheelchair accessible. Where the entrance to a venue is slightly raised, a ramp will be on hand to ensure all can access the space.
Seating - The majority of our venues are completely seated, and there are chairs available in all venues for those who need them. If you need to be seated in a venue, we recommend arriving at events slightly before their start time in order to inform the steward on hand of your needs. They will ensure that you have access to a seat for the duration of the event. For those in wheel chairs we would also recommend arriving at events early to ensure that you can enter the venue before the rest of the crowd, and find a space that works for you to be located.
Queuing – Upon arrival at an event, if you have a disability which means you are unable to stand for long periods, please inform the steward and they will be able let you into the event in advance of the rest of the queue.
Platforms – We do not have raised platforms at any of our stages as the majority of our events are seated. If you find this seriously impacts your festival experience, please let us know by emailing enquiries@artandideas.org.
Facilities: We will have dedicated Disabled Toilets around the festival site - location TBC closer to the time of the festival.
Car Park Access:
There is an on-site car park with dedicated Disabled spaces. Customers with a blue badge can access this. If you do not have a blue badge but need to make use of disabled parking, please email our team at enquiries@artandideas.org.
Disabled parking is accessed via the Deliveries and Disabled Access. This is a left turn off Newport Street, just pass the Co-Op as you are driving out of Hay-on-Wye. Disabled parking is only accessible during the hours the festival is open, and vehicles cannot be left here over night.
Disabled parking spaces are limited, so please only make use of them if really necessary. Our main festival car park is just the other side of Newport Street. You can book spaces in the main car park here
Information about public transport routes, along with Taxi drop off points, will be available nearer to the time.
We can accommodate guide and assistance dogs on site. Unfortunately, any non-service dog is not permitted on the site.
HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2024 is running from 23-27th May 2024. Festival tickets will provide access to a huge range of events, including debates, talks, music, comedy, academy and late night parties.
HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2024 is set in a magical location on the edge of the Black Mountains, alongside the river Wye in the famed book town of Hay. The site is located just off Newport Street, HR3 5BZ. It is about a 5 minute walk from the Globe at Hay, Newport St, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford.
Yes, and under 12s do not need a festival ticket to gain entry to the site.
No, pets are not permitted on the festival site.
Dogs are not allowed on site except guide and service dogs.
Unfortunately, due to licensing reasons and to ensure safe access to our festival pitches, we cannot allow vehicles on the campsite. This includes campervans.
Parking is available to book from our extras page when you checkout.
If you're having any issues purchasing your ticket, please email webmaster@artandideas.org with the subject line 'Ticket Issue'. Please state the issue as well as your phone number and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
You can apply all discounts at checkout if you open 'Click here for offers/ insider codes'. Only one discount can be used per ticket. If you have a Friends Discount, you will need to enter your code at checkout. Student and under 25 tickets can be added to your basket on our festival passes page. Please note that discounts are only valid for HowTheLightGetsIn Festival Tickets.
Our terms and conditions, details of which you can find here, state that we cannot refund tickets.
T&Cs:
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 in Hay-on-Wye. 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 canceled. 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. All accommodation bookings are final and non-refundable. No refund or offer of exchange or rollover will be given by the company in the event of the booking not being fulfilled.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. The event promoter reserves the right to make any change whatsoever to the act programme owing to any unforeseen or unavoidable cause.
12. Neither the venue nor the organisation can accept responsibility for lost or stolen property.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. We do not store credit card details nor do we share customer details with any 3rd parties.
16. Paper lanterns shall not be brought onto or used on the festival site under any circumstances.
17. No dogs are allowed on the festival site, except guide and service dogs.
We're proud to work with media organisations, institutions, and platforms at the cutting edge of their fields. From live podcasts to specially curated events, explore below to check out the organisations we're partnering with this festival!
Health & Safety
We trust you will have a great time during your stay with us. When attending events please do ensure you take care of your health and wellbeing. We have highlighted below several areas that you may want to consider for your own safety and wellbeing:
Make use of handwashing facilities provided after using toilets to help clean hands and prevent spread of illness
Come prepared for Sunny weather, including sun screen and hats- we have been known to have hot weather
Keep hydrated- drinking water points are provided on all camp site and at the main event site
Drink alcohol responsibility
Ensure you use the designated pedestrian road crossing between the main event site and campsite
Bring with you any prescription or regular medications needed
Do not attend if you are unwell or had vomiting and /or diarrhoea in the 48 hours prior to attending
Measles and whooping cough have been noted as an increased risk to public health across the UK- please ensure you know the symptoms, your vaccinations are up to date and you do not attend if you have symptoms or suspect you may be ill
We have medical and first aid assistance on site – please use this facility if you need assistance – there is a first aid post on the campsite and the main arena
The nearest chemist is R M Jones, Hay on Wye, HR3 5AE
The nearest hospital is Hereford Hospital Stonebow Road Hereford HR1 2ER
The nearest dentist is Mydentist Oxford road Hay on Wye HR3 5AJ
The nearest Doctors surgery is Hay Medical Centre Forest Road Hay-on-Wye Hereford HR3 5DS
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