Off Site Extras

    Hay is a bustling town offering a huge variety of markets, fairs and special events during the Festival.

    Hay Town Centre

    HAY CASTLE

    Over at Hay Castle there are workshops, talks and family activities happening all through the Hay Festival period. Learn knitting with Dee Harwicke, make beautiful book art with Kate Kato, come to evening talks or just join in with outside family fun. Have a look at the website for more details.

    WALKS

    There is a range of walks programmed throughout the Festival for you to enjoy. You can visit farms and sawmills, trek with a writer on Wayfaring walks and explore the local area. All the walks are detailed within the Nature strand of our main programme – please click here to book tickets.

    FAIR ON THE SQUARE 

    27, 28, 29 May 10am–6pm, MEMORIAL SQUARE, CLOCK TOWER

    Enjoy a free Bank Holiday weekend street party with live music, flea market bargains and delicious food and drink; all in the centre of Hay. Drink in the festive atmosphere with a back-to-back programme of talented musicians from across the region, including the Poobahs, the Whiskey River Quartet, Little Rumba and Jakey Boy Hughes.

    HAY MARKET DAY

    25 May & 1 June, 9am–2pm, MEMORIAL SQUARE, CLOCK TOWER

    Trading for more than 700 years, Hay Marketis a vibrant weekly market held in the centre of Hay every Thursday. There are more than 40 independent traders offering an eclectic range of seasonal produce, hot food and drink, flea market and local crafts. haymarkets.co.uk

    CASTLE STREET FOOD MARKET

    Daily throughout the Festival, 10am–6pm, HONESTY BOOKSHOP

    Step into Hay Castle’s attractive walled garden and find street food stalls selling deliciously tempting dishes and drinks. Sit under canvas canopies and soak up the Festival atmosphere.

    EVENTS AT THE CHEESE MARKET

    27, 28, 29 May, 3 June, 10am-4pm: Local Makers and Producers Market

    30, 31 May, 2, 3 June 10am-4pm: Flea and Vintage Market

    EVENTS AT THE BUTTERMARKET

    26 May, 10am-4pm: Friday Flea Market 

    27 May, 10am-4pm: Fairtrade Hay

    28 May, 10am-4pm: Craft & Collectables Fair

    29 May, 10am-4pm: Vinyl Daze Record & CD Fair

    30 May, 10am-4pm: Golden Valley Crafts Market

    31 May, 10am-4pm: Mad Hatter’s Craft Market

    2 June, 10am-4pm: Friday Flea Market

    3 June, 10am-4pm: Hay Artisan Market

    QUIET SPACE AT SALEM CHAPEL 

    Relax, contemplate or read in a quiet space in this beautifully restored historic chapel in the centre of Hay. Also serving simple, fresh vegetarian food and coffee, with yoga classes running throughout the week. Visit wyevalleyiyengaryoga.com.

    WATCH HAY FESTIVAL EVENTS FREE AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

    Tune in to select Hay Festival events free with The Living Knowledge Network, a partnership of national and public libraries across the UK. Created by the British Library, they aim to bring people together through the power of libraries, collections and stories. Explore the schedule here.