HAY Festival offers an opportunity to get in the festive spirit as it presents the annual Winter Weekend from Friday, November 30, to Sunday, December 2.

The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the festival ceilidh, when Herefordshire’s 20- piece Bandemonium band and their caller play reels and jigs for an evening of country dancing and high spirits, and ends with a finale featuring exuberant gypsy jazz g roup The Remi Har ris Quartet.

In between there’ll be the chance to talk politics with Nick Robinson, discuss animals with Ben Fogle and learn about ‘The Last King of Wales’ with Michael Davies and Sean Davies.

Late-night comedy comes from Mark Watson, and fans of The Killing won’t want to miss Emma Kennedy talking about her superfan guide to Sarah Lund, The Killing Handbook, with all the crucial information on the characters, the plot holes and the politics, the language, the jumpers and dating the Danish way...

There is also a wealth of storytelling for the children and Sealegs Puppet Theatre presents a gentle musical adaptation of The Ugly Duckling.

Go to hayfestival.org for full programme details and to book, or call the box office on 01497 822629 or visit www.hayfestival.org