HowTheLightGetsIn Festival, Hay 2022

HowTheLightGetsIn, the largest philosophy and music festival in the world, makes its eagerly-awaited return to Hay-On-Wye this summer, following a pioneering shift to the online sphere to see the spirit of the festival through the pandemic years.

Choose a comfy yurt (if staying overnight) and look forward to a weekend of high-octane debate and live performance. The festival brings with it some of the biggest thinkers, musicians and comedians peddling their truths, with over 300 events taking place across the four-day event.

This year’s theme is Dreams and Jeopardy, with leading thinkers including biologist Richard Dawkins, philosopher of race Tommy Curry, science presenter Dallas Campbell and YouTuber Alex J.O’Connor of CosmicSkeptic discussing a treasure trove of hot topics, including The Strangeness of the Universe and Beyond the Self and the Non-Self.

Those representing the arts, meanwhile, are Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrea Elliott, actor and playwright Steven Berkoff, and comedian Isy Suttie.

Those keen to get closer to the conversation can book onto an intimate Inner Circle meal, where you'll break bread or clink a glass of Champagne with the likes of American philosopher Daniel Dennett, politician and former Lib Dem leader Vince Cable and theoretical physicist Laura Mersini-Houghton.

After all that thinking and debating, it’ll be time to give your brain a rest and enjoy the festival’s equally jam-packed line-up of comedy and music. Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay will be getting festival-goers busting some moves, as will an exclusive DJ set from rockers Django Django. Further performances, taking audiences on a musical voyage through continents and genres, come from Mercury prize-winner Talvin Singh (known for his fusion of Indian classical with drum and bass), south London jazz collective Steam Down, cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson and more.

Those craving a more grassroots experience should dive into The People’s Front Room tent, where a collective that’s grown from eight to 80 will perform live music designed to nourish creativity.

Bringing the laughs this year is a 14-strong line-up of celebrated comedians, including Olga Koch, Sunil Patel, Jess Fostekew and Alfie Brown.

Ready to let the light in? Follow the link below to secure your tickets now.