Combining critical thinking and challenging debate with diverse music and vibrant culture,
HowTheLightGetsIn September 2021 is back for our first physical festival in two years,
taking place on the glorious grounds of Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath.

The world’s largest philosophy and music festival, the weekend will host over 200 events –
bringing together internationally respected thinkers and a spectacular medley of musicians,
performers and artists.

Hosted by the Institute of Art and Ideas, HowTheLightGetsIn has recently run 4 successful
virtual events over 2020 and 2021 – recognising that the importance of intellectual debate
and the hunger for communication was perhaps stronger than ever before. May’s event took
place in our groundbreaking virtual space and featured over 100 events, with speakers and
artists ranging from activist and rapper Lowkey, firebrand philosopher Slavoj Žižek,
bestselling author Ayaan Hirsi Ali and indie veterans Mystery Jets.

September’s theme is Dreams and Jeopardy, with headline speakers including Nobel prize
winning physicist Roger Penrose, human rights activist Shami Chakrabarti, award winning
journalist David Aaronovitch and economist and broadcaster Linda Yueh, with plenty more
world leading thinkers to be added in the next few weeks.

HTLGI director and founder of the Institute of Art and Ideas Hilary Lawson comments:
“Lockdown may have brought many activities and experiences to a halt, but it didn’t end the
need for new ideas and original thinking or the importance of meeting and engaging with
others. That’s why we’ve put on four online festivals and pioneered the first virtual reality
festival experience with multiple simultaneous stages and a host of social events, bringing
the charm of the physical festival to the online space.”

“We are delighted to now be returning to London in the magical setting of the grounds of
Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath for our festival in September. However inventive the
virtual reality space, nothing is quite like the real thing. We can’t wait to welcome everyone
back to a real world festival and a weekend of electrifying debate, music, comedy, and our
legendary party atmosphere.”