Line-up revealed for Hampstead Heath philosophy festival

The grounds of Kenwood House will be humming with ideas, discussion, book talks, comedy, and live music at the annual HowTheLightGetsIn weekend.

Running over two days from September 20-21, this year’s line up includes North London-based political podcaster Alastair Campbell, filmmaker Martha Fiennes, and Nobel prizewinning physicist Roger Penrose.

HowTheLightGetsIn Festival is a mix of music, comedy, debate and big ideas. (Image: Andrew Whitton) The festival’s name springs from the Leonard Cohen lyric: “There is a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in”.

The theme of this year’s festival After the West, A New World, will explore the question of what will the new world look like? What will be its values, and what philosophies will guide it?

From the world of politics there is Hackney MP Diane Abbott and former Labour leader Neil Kinnock.

Speakers at the festival include Alastair Campbell and former Labour Leader Neil Kinnock. (Image: Andrew Whitton) Attendees will also hear from AI and ethics philosopher Susan Schneider, provocative political commentator John Gray, pioneering neuroscientist
Güneş Taylor, historian Timothy Garton Ash, and cosmologist Brian Keating, who will challenge conventional perspectives on the universe.

Panel discussions include topics such as The End of Free Trade and the New World Economy, Dreams and Delusions of the Information Age, and Cracking the Code for Thought.

The festival takes place in a series of tents in the grounds of Kenwood House. (Image: Andrew Whitton) The mix of dancing, debate, feasts, and interactive sessions is designed to make philosophy exciting and accessible.

Events take place in a series of tents where ideas ignite minds and inspire action.

Tickets are available now from howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/london