Hay Festival Forum Dallas Saturday

Saturday is the beating heart of Hay Festival Dallas: a full day of landmark conversations across Bishop Arts.

At The Wild Detectives, the afternoon begins with Suraj Yengde, one of India’s most important Dalit intellectuals, in dialogue with Miriam Fauzia, examining caste as a global structure of oppression and resistance. Later, anthropologist Jason De León, winner of the 2024 National Book Award for Soldiers and Kings, joins journalist John Gibler to discuss seven years of immersive research with “coyotes,” dismantling stereotypes around migration and survival. The day also features an electrifying performance-conversation by Bocafloja, the legendary Mexican hip-hop artist and poet whose work dismantles colonial narratives with rhythm and word.

Meanwhile, at the Texas Theatre, a stellar lineup takes the stage. Laila Lalami presents her new novel The Dream Hotel with Marcela Fuentes—every ticket includes the book. Junot Díaz, Pulitzer Prize winner for The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, speaks with Paula Nagovitch about diaspora, language, and memory. Claudia Rankine, author of Citizen, reflects with Janelle Grey on race and belonging in American life. Later, acclaimed novelists Katie Kitamura and Eimear McBride join Dallas critic Lori Feathers for a rare transatlantic dialogue on the future of the novel. The evening closes with a spotlight on bold independent fiction featuring Rodrigo Fresán and Mark Haber, both recognized by the Republic of Consciousness Prize.

And when the panels end, the night explodes: AfroPerreo returns for a one-night-only reunion, with DJs Elkin and El Nick turning The Wild Detectives backyard into a dance floor of resistance, rhythm, and joy.

Saturday is literature, politics, music, and nightlife all in one—an unmissable day that defines what Hay Festival Dallas is about.

CHECK THE FULL PROGRAM AND BOOK YOUR EVENTS HERE