If you’re stuck for ideas this Christmas, make your way down to the Hay Festival Winter Weekend this weekend for some festive-themed activities.
Hosted in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, the event will take place at several venues including the impressive Hay Castle and market square.
The Hay Festival Winter Weekend will take place on 25-27 November, marking its 17 anniversary.
“There’s a feast of family performances and play sessions, concerts, comedy and a wide range of authors talking about books and telling stories”, Angharad, 42, a spokesperson for Hay Festival says.
Guests will be able to listen to stories and talks from well-known presenter and adventurer, Ben Fogle, as well as from comedian Andy Hamilton, the co-creator of Outnumbered and Have I Got News for You.
Another highlight of the festival is the free singalong, organised by Hay Castle Trust.
The charitable group is encouraging all to get involved and help donate towards the Trust, which funds the maintenance of the castle, an important venue of the festival.
Get crafty
Activity workshops will also be taking place at different locations during the festival for those interested in doing something more hands-on.
These workshops are aimed at younger audiences and families, and will involve learning to make a number of Christmas crafts at the crafts fair. Handmade crafts will also be on sale at the fair, located in the Butter Market.
17 years running, the Hay Festival Winter Weekend is expected to be even bigger and better this year, Angharad claims.
“This year is already busier than previous years. People like the cosy intimacy of the Winter Festival,” she expresses, “visitors are able to get closer to performers and speakers.”
The festival is said to bring in about a thousand visitors to Hay.
Angharad says, “They are devoted guests. They spend a lot when they shop in town!”