Hay Festival Querétaro 2026 to draw over 29,000 attendees

The Hay Festival Querétaro will take place from September 4 to 6, 2026, marking its eleventh edition. Organizers anticipate attendance of more than 29,000 people, matching or surpassing the previous year. The three‑day program blends literature, philosophy, music, journalism, science, democracy, artificial intelligence, feminism, memory and identity, featuring 107 creators from 14 countries, with the United Kingdom as guest nation. Notable participants include philosopher Carissa Véliz, writer Kiran Desai, author María Dueñas, journalist Lydia Cacho, musician Emmanuel del Real and singer‑songwriter Vivir Quintana. Events are spread across venues such as the Teatro de la Ciudad, Cineteca Rosalío Solano, Jardín Guerrero and several historic sites, with general‑admission tickets priced at 10 pesos and many activities offered free of charge, including provisions for sign‑language interpretation.

From July 31 to August 2, the Centro de las Artes de Querétaro (CEART) will host the free "Experiencia Ambiental del Semidesierto Queretano" exhibition. The three‑day event showcases the region’s semi‑desert ecosystem, featuring 34 producers, 10 culinary exhibitors, workshops, and a Festival of Cacti with plant sales and sustainability talks. It is supported by CONAGUA, SEMARNAT and the state water commission, which will install an educational dome on water stewardship.