The HowTheLightGetsIn Festival is the world’s largest event of its kind, where philosophy, music, art, and vibrant conversation collide. Founded in 2008 by the Institute of Art and Ideas, it has become a unique space for lectures, debates, and parties. It’s where top academics, authors, and musicians connect with a broad audience to explore the ideas that are shaping our world. Read more on londonski.
The Story of the HowTheLightGetsIn Festival
The Institute of Art and Ideas (IAI) launched the HowTheLightGetsIn Festival in 2008 with the aim of blending philosophy with art, music, and literature. The concept was so successful that the first event took place the very next year in the book town of Hay-on-Wye. It quickly attracted thousands of attendees and soon expanded to London. Between 2009 and 2011, the festival grew rapidly, with the programme featuring hundreds of events and discussions that spanned ten days. It brought together some of the world’s leading thinkers, scientists, and artists to debate groundbreaking ideas.
In 2012, the HowTheLightGetsIn Festival took another leap forward, focusing on the theme of “Uncharted Territories.” The programme combined intellectual debates with over a hundred live performances, ranging from intimate acoustic sets to high-energy beatbox shows. With over 150 leading thinkers and artists from around the globe, it proved that the pursuit of meaning could be not just serious but also incredibly exciting.
After a short break, the HowTheLightGetsIn Festival returned in 2018 to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style. Held at the picturesque Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath in London, the event featured luminaries such as renowned neuroscientist Steven Pinker, philosopher and author Rebecca Goldstein, and former Banksy agent Steve Lazarides. The music stage was lit up by performances from the Bloom Twins and Rae Morris, while the comedy bill included laughs from Ahir Shah and Olga Koch.
The festival celebrated its fifth anniversary in London in 2023. Held once again at Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath, the theme was “Dangers, Desires and Destiny.” This autumn event was a natural follow-up to the record-breaking spring festival in Hay-on-Wye, bringing together over 150 speakers and performers. The programme featured 120 events across 12 venues, from fiery philosophical debates and discussions with political commentators to musical performances by Mercury Prize nominees, stand-up comedy, and cabaret shows.
In 2025, the HowTheLightGetsIn Festival took its latest major step, gathering guests in the stunning heart of Wales, at the foot of the Black Mountains. From May 23rd to 26th, attendees took part in more than 300 events, including interdisciplinary lectures, musical performances, comedy, and cabaret shows. The line-up of speakers was incredibly diverse, covering everything from mathematics and natural sciences to media, beauty, politics, and classical philosophy. The headline names included former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
The Recognition and Significance of the HowTheLightGetsIn Festival
The HowTheLightGetsIn Festival is widely considered to be the world’s largest philosophy and music festival. Its significance lies not just in its scale or the number of events, but in its ability to bring together seemingly disparate worlds: deep intellectual debates with live music, comedy, and informal socialising. Its reputation is cemented by the fact that its stages play host to both Nobel Laureates and Grammy winners. It’s a space where philosophical ideas come to life in lectures, discussions, and parties, taking on new meaning for a broad audience.
