Hay Festival 2026 has announced its full programme, featuring more than 500 events from 21 to 31 May in Hay-on-Wye, Powys. Headline names include actors Emma Thompson, authors Malala Yousafzai, Ian McEwan, and prominent figures such as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Gisèle Pelicot.
The literary schedule boasts a wide range of leading writers, including Maggie O’Farrell, Colm Tóibín, Ali Smith, Elizabeth Strout, Matt Haig, Douglas Stuart, Samantha Harvey, Val McDermid, and Ocean Vuong. Political speakers include David Miliband, Nicola Sturgeon, Sajid Javid, and Louise Casey, alongside historians Alice Roberts, David Olusoga, and Simon Schama.
Themed panels will cover gender equality, featuring Ruth Davidson, Julia Gillard, Harriet Harman, and Beth Rigby. Facebook whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams will discuss tech power with journalist Carole Cadwalladr. Musicians Gwenno and Aled Jones will perform, while comedy acts include Dawn French, Michael McIntyre, and Sandi Toksvig.
To mark the UK’s National Year of Reading, YouTuber Jack Edwards will discuss the campaign with National Literacy Trust director Jonathan Douglas. The festival also launches a Pleasure List campaign crowdsourcing public book recommendations. Tickets are on sale now at hayfestival.org.
