GETTING TO THE FESTIVAL
When is the festival?
HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2022 is running from 2nd - 5th June. Festival tickets will provide access to a huge range of events, including debates, talks, music, comedy, academy and late night parties.
Where is the festival?
HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2022 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 HR3 5BG.
How do I get to the festival?
If arriving by car, Hay-on-Wye is situated between Brecon and Hereford, off the A438. The nearest railway station is Hereford, about twenty miles away and there is a frequent bus service from Hereford and Brecon to Hay-on-Wye (T14).
More information on getting to the festival can be found here.
ATTENDING THE FESTIVAL
When does the site open?
The entire programme of HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2022 will take place from 2nd-5th June. The site will be open from 2pm on the Thursday 2nd June and closes at around 5.30pm on the Sunday 5th June.
Can children come to the festival?
Children under twelve accompanied by adults are free and do not require Festival Tickets, but you do need to register their attendance either online (on the standard tickets page) or at the box office.
Can pets come to the festival?
No, pets are not permitted on the festival site.
Are dogs allowed on site?
Dogs are not allowed on site except guide and service dogs.
What should I bring?
Festival Programmes and maps will be available on site. The print programme includes a timetable of all events throughout the festival weekend, as well as site maps, accommodation information, speaker biographies, etc.
In order to make your festival experience as enjoyable as possible, we suggest you bring the following:
• Your Confirmation Code / Ticket
• ID (for under 25s)
• Sun Cream
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Water / soft drinks*
• Umbrella
• Wellies
• Waterproof
• Dancing Shoes
• Portable Charger
*Please note external food and alcohol is not permitted on our festival site, but there are plenty of tasty treats inside!
Is there free WIFI?
There are WiFi hotspots throughout the site.
Network name: HowTheLightGetsIn Free WiFi
Password: philosophy
Can I pay with cash?
We are only accepting card payments on site this year so you cannot pay with cash.
PARKING
How can I book parking?
Parking is now available to book when purchasing festival tickets. If you need to park for longer, please go to the Reception and our team will be able to advise you.
Where is the parking located?
HowTheLightGetsIn Yurt camping and parking is immediately opposite the Riverside site. Enter the East Gate when arriving by car. If you have pre-booked parking you will be given a permit on arrival. Please have your booking confirmation to hand.
Is there disabled parking?
Disabled Parking can be accessed via the trader and performer entrance which is signposted on the left after the coop.
Can I bring a campervan onto the campsite?
Unfortunately, due to licensing reasons and to ensure safe access to our festival pitches, we cannot allow vehicles on the campsite. This includes campervans.
ACCOMMODATION AND BREAKFAST
When is breakfast available?
If you have booked Breakfast with your festival tickets, it will be available from 8.30am to 11am at the Waterfront. Please ensure you take your booking confirmation with you, as well as your Festival Ticket wristband or Flexi Tickets and Flexi Day Pass.
How do I access my accommodation on arrival?
Details about festival accommodation will be sent to campers before the festival and will also be available on arrival. If you have any queries about festival accommodation, please email festival.camping@artandideas.org
Can I bring my own food to the campsite?
You are very welcome to bring your own food. Small gas cookers and portable barbeques are permitted at the campsite, however they must be set up away from the tents. There will also be a large range of food on sale across the site. Open fires are not permitted on the campsite.
Do I need a wristband to check-in to my yurt on Wednesday 1st June?
No, you can check-in to your yurt on the Wednesday 1st June and pick up your wristband from the box office when the site officially opens on the Thursday 2nd June.
TICKETS
How do I gain entry to the site?
All ticket holders will need to collect their tickets from the Arrivals Tent at The Riverside Site on arrival at the festival. Please bring your confirmation code which you received via email when booking your tickets. If you hold a Student of U25s ticket, please bring appropriate ID. When you present your confirmation code at the Arrivals Tent, you will receive a wristband. This wristband will grant you access to the site and unlimited access to all events featured in our core programme.
When can I use my Flexi Tickets?
Flexi Tickets allow you to drop in to the festival for a few events on the day(s) of your choosing. The Flexi-2 or Flexi-4 ticket grants you access to 2 or 4 debates or talks respectively, and the Day Pass grants you festival access on the day(s) you wish to attend. Please note that you will not be able to access the site with just a Flexi Day Pass. You will need a Flexi Ticket and Flexi Day Pass to gain entry.
Do I need to book events at the festival in advance?
A full festival ticket provides you access to all events without needing any advance booking, excluding Extra Experiences which are ticketed separately. Extra Experiences include Inner Circle tickets with food and drink, pottery courses and wellbeing and spa treatments.
How can I secure my spot at an event?
While we do our best to accomodate enough space for festivalgoers to attend an event, if you would like to gaurantee your seat at an event you can book a Fast Pass for £5, providing you with fast entry to an event and a prime seat in the venue. You will be able to pick up your Fast Passes at the Box Office.
I'm having problems buying my ticket.
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.
How do I apply my discount?
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.
I can no longer attend the festival, can I have a full refund?
Our terms and conditions, details of which you can find here, state that we cannot refund tickets.
Not got the answer you're looking for?
For more information, please consult our full Festival Guide. Alternativly, please email enquiries@artandideas.org and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.