Hay Festival has today announced the full line-up of writers, thinkers and entertainers appearing at Hay Festival Winter Weekend in Hay-on-Wye, November 22-25, alongside a rich strand of workshops, woodland walks, and town festivities.

Blending politics and global affairs with the finest fiction, nature writing, comedy, music and workshops for all ages, the festival offers four days of family fun within the stunning surrounds of the town’s independent bookshops, cafés and markets, and the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Tickets are now on sale to Friends of Hay Festival at hayfestival.org or 01497 822629 and will be on general sale from 8am on Saturday, October 13.

Peter Florence, Director of Hay Festival, said: “Hay offers a festive welcome like nowhere else. We’ll be throwing our arms open to writers and readers from around the world to experience Hay as never before. The town is decked in Christmas lights and glistening with winter cheer. We’ve great writers, inspiring thinkers, moving musicians, and a thrilling bazaar of local crafts, foods and curiosities.”

Novelist Jeanette Winterson said: “It’s the time of year we need some internal sunshine and that’s what this is. It’s a place where there’s light and there’s warmth and a lot of fun.”

Now in its 19th year, this year’s programme is the most ambitious yet, blending literary conversation, immersive performances and family workshops. Building on the success of last year’s record-breaking edition, this year’s festival incorporates a new 500-seater marquee in the Cattle Market and a pop-up bookshop space, while using The School Hall and St Mary’s Church for additional events.

Meanwhile, the town’s iconic market square remains a focus of festivities with the Hay Christmas lights switch-on event on Friday 23 November; Hay Food Festival on Saturday 24 November; and Hay Does Vintage fair on Sunday 25 November.

The festival has also issued a public call to nominate the Hay Festival Book of the Year 2018 – the one book readers couldn’t put down, haven’t stopped thinking about, or couldn’t wait to recommend to friends, won in 2017 by Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane for The Lost Words. Visit hayfestival.org/book-of-the-year/ for details. The winner will be revealed at the event.

For full programme, visit hayfestival.org.