Early Years Project
A new Programme for Schools Day at Hay Festival Winter Weekend is being established in 2025 thanks to a grant from the Hodge Foundation. A further three-year grant from the Moondance Foundation will ensure the project's continuation 2026–2028. The Programme for Schools Day will provide over 1,000 children aged 5-7 from schools across Wales with the opportunity to attend a series of three specially curated events and activities. The events will also be livestreamed, to extend the reach of Winter Weekend events to young children across the UK.
These new free Programme for Schools events will be opening Hay Festival Winter Weekend on Wednesday 26 November 2025 (KS1) and Thursday 27 November 2025 (EYFS). Students from Blaenau Gwent KS1 and Early Years Foundation Studies pupils have been invited to participate in a series of specially curated events in the grounds of Hay Castle.
Join the 2025 events
On Thursday 27 November, Blaenau Gwent pupils are invited to Early Years Foundation Studies events with Candy Gourlay and Simon Mole alongside Hay Festival, bringing artists to these schools to deliver creative workshops that spark a love of reading for pleasure.
KS1 events with Rob Biddulph, Simon Mole and Gecko will be livestreamed on Wednesday 26 November for all schools to enjoy.
Find out more and register to watch
For many children, the project represents their first exposure to a cultural event, significantly broadening their creative horizons and ambitions, and igniting an interest in reading.
To find out more about this project please email schools@hayfestival.com.
