Check out our guide on things to do in Hay-on-Wye over the Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2024. The Festival itself is a feast of conversations, storytelling, comedy, music, and family workshops, and is a smaller version of the larger Hay Festival which is held in Spring. This year it’s being held 28th Nov – 1st Dec. Expect lots of laughter and seasonal joy as well as discussions about the natural world and live music.
What to expect at Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2024
Now in its 25th year, the Winter Weekend is back bigger and better this year, with events taking place in a 350-seater marquee in the grounds of the historic Hay Castle, tripling the event’s previous capacity. We highly recommend booking tickets to some of the Festival events. Our children can’t wait for Russell Kane, talking about his hilarious new children’s animal guide Pet Selector!
What’s on in Hay-on-Wye
If you are attending the Festival then you must take the opportunity to make it a real Hay-cation and explore the world famous book-town, Hay-on-Wye. The busy town will be bustling with lots of festive things to do Hay-on-Wye throughout the Hay Festival winter weekend.
10 things to do in Hay-on-Wye over the Hay Festival Winter Weekend.
- Wander round Hay-on-Wye’s fabulous high street, there is so much to see. The historic town with it’s atmospheric market square is a hive of activity during the festival and it’s thriving highstreet and independent shops make it the perfect place to start ticking things of the Christmas list.
- Get Festive. On the Friday, the Hay Christmas lights are switched on, transforming the town into a winter wonderland brimming with festive cheer. From 5pm, lights switch on at 6:30pm!
- Post a letter to Santa. Bring your letters for Santa’s postbox, for one night only. Before being collected by Steam-Engine Santa himself as he leaves to go to the North Pole. Friday 29th 5-7pm at the Xmas lights switch on in Memorial Square.
- Sample some local beers in a cosy traditional pub. Our favourites are the Old Black Lion, The Blue Boar and The Three Tuns.
- Go animal spotting. Grab a takeaway hot chocolate from Jonny at the Bean Box and take a stroll along the old railway path. Look out for the wooden animal sculptures, ending up at the picturesque Warren Shingle Beach.
- Dance Dance Dance! Visit the Old Electric Shop for live music Thursday, Friday & Saturday (you may even come home with a new disco ball!). Hay Distillery will be serving up delicious cocktails, spirits, local beers & ciders, not forgetting a selection of natural wines and beautiful glassware for sale.
- Head to the movies. Richard Booth’s Bookshop Cinema is an independent cinema in Hay-on-Wye with the most luxurious seats, top snacks and wine!
- Eat some fantastic food. Try Tapas at Tomatitos, Michelin-Cuisine at Chapters and Soul food at The Granary,
- Browse the pop up Shopping Markets. Mad Hatters Artisan Christmas Craft Market on Sunday in The Butter Market in the town centre 10am-4pm. The Globe in Hay are hosting a Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday the 1st Dec,
- Buy more Books!
Cosy Autumn Breaks in Hay-on-Wye
Enjoy UK Autumn escapes at By the Wye with an experience that warms your soul. Delight in the changing colours in nature as leaves crunch beneath your feet on during a lovely autumn walk in the woods before warming up in front of the wood-burning stove in your cosy canvas hideaway.
During a UK autumn escape, there is plenty to discover in the woods, from spotting wildlife and exploring the natural playgrounds, to fishing in the river, and as soon as the evening falls, there is nothing as cosy as playing games by lamplight and sleeping in the warm bed snuggled up in Welsh blankets.
With a special Autumn warmer bundle (worth £100) included in all By the Wye bookings until December, your UK Autumn Escape will not only be memorable, but comfortable and warm, giving you more time to reconnect with those you love and enjoy the great countryside all around.
Cherish those family weekends filled with laughter and love! We’re packing our Autumn warmer bundle with even more goodies to make sure every moment is as memorable as a perfectly toasted marshmallow.