Hay Festival 2023: Stormzy, Dua Lipa and Margaret Atwood in lineup - what is event, how to get tickets

Stormzy has been announced as part of the star-studded line-up at the 2023 Hay Festival in Wales. The 29-year-old singer and rapper will celebrate five years since launching his own publishing imprint #Merky Books, a collaboration with Penguin Random House, with a “special event” during the festival.

Stormzy will be joining the likes of pop star Dua Lipa, The Handmaid’s Tale writer Margaret Atwood, Sir Michael Parkinson and many more who have all been announced as part of the lineup for the upcoming festival.

This is everything you need to know.

What is the Hay Festival - when is it on?

The Hay Festival is one of the biggest literary festivals in the world, and traces back to 1988, when it was created by Norman, Rhoda and Peter Florence. The annual festival invites the likes of Nobel Prizewinners and novelists, scientists and politicians, historians, environmentalists and musicians to take part in a global conversation about the arts and sciences with audiences.

Since its creation, the festival has since expanded beyond Wales to travel to locations like the historic town of Cartagena in Colombia to the heart of cities in Peru, Mexico, Spain, and the USA.

The 36th edition of the literary event in Hay-on-Wye will take place from May 25 to June 4, with more than 500 in-person events set to take place over 11 days across eight stages in the festival village.

Who has been announced for the lineup?

A range of people have been announced for the 2023 festival, including Dua Lipa, Margaret Atwood and Alexander McCall Smith.

The chart-topping 27-year-old singer, who gave the keynote speech at this year’s Booker Prize ceremony, will record her podcast, Dua Lipa: At Your Service, at the 36th edition of the literary event in Hay-on-Wye. Lipa has already talked to Olympian Mo Farah, Schitt’s Creek’s Dan Levy and The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah as part of her interview series.

Regarding her appearance at the 2023 festival, she said: “I have wanted to explore the bookshops of Hay and experience the literary atmosphere of the Hay Festival for such a long time. So I’m thrilled that I will be there next year to share stories on stage and off with some of my favourite authors, and to soak up the inspiration alongside my fellow book-lovers.”

Lipa will be joined by two-time Booker Prize winner Atwood, who will tell the audience about her short story collection, Old Babes In The Wood. The 83-year-old author’s work also includes The Handmaid’s Tale and Alias Grace, both of which have been turned into critically acclaimed TV series.

Talking about the festival, Stormzy said: “It all started with books for me. As a kid in school, I fell in love with literature and it sparked a life-long journey with words and writing, which led into my career as a songwriter and a musician.

“I’m really excited to pass on this passion at Hay Festival, celebrate our incredible #Merky Books writers, and inspire the next generation of storytellers. Can’t wait to see you guys there!”

Sir Michael Parkinson will share his sports writing in My Sporting Life: Memories, Moments And Declarations. The 87-year-old broadcaster famously interviewed boxer and world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and was friends with George Best, who played for Manchester United.

Alexander McCall Smith also celebrates 25 years of his No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books, which have been turned into a series that was critically acclaimed and won a Peabody Award.

Philosopher AC Grayling, broadcaster Jon Snow, journalist Misha Glenny and historian David Olusoga are also part of the announced authors.

Scottish rock duo The Proclaimers, of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) fame, will give a performance as part of the music, comedy and spoken word events.

Hay Festival chief executive Julie Finch said: “[It] is for everyone and next spring’s offer of a broad and inclusive line-up, an expanded families offer, and even more free activities in and around the festival village will underscore that further to reach the widest possible audiences.

How can I get tickets?

While you don’t need a ticket to enter the festival site, you will need to book individual tickets for each event you’d like to attend. The festival has events that run from 9am in the morning and throughout the whole day, with each event taking roughly an hour.

Tickets are on sale now to Friends of Hay Festival and public booking will open at 12pm on Friday March 17. You’ll be able to get tickets via the Hay Festival website.