We’re on the longlist – now we need you!

Milton Keynes has been longlisted for UK City of Culture 2029 – a major opportunity to showcase our city’s creativity, ambition and communities on a national stage.

Now is the time to get involved. Support the bid, share your ideas and help shape what City of Culture could look like for Milton Keynes.

What is UK City of Culture?

UK City of Culture is a national title, awarded every four years by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Previous winners include Hull, Coventry and Bradford.

Milton Keynes is one of just nine places across the UK invited to develop a full bid, which will be submitted in August 2026. The winning city will be announced in late 2026 / early 2027

Why it matters

Being UK City of Culture is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to:

• Raise the profile of Milton Keynes nationally and internationally
• Attract investment, visitors and new opportunities
• Support local artists, creatives and communities
• Build long-term pride in place and cultural growth

Other cities have seen millions of visitors, major investment, and lasting cultural and economic impact

A bid shaped by the whole city

This is a bid for everyone. We want to hear from residents, artists, communities, schools and businesses across Milton Keynes.

Together, we will shape a vision that reflects:

• Every part of the city
• Our diverse communities
• Our creativity, culture and ambition for the future

Get involved

There are lots of ways to take part:

• Join a session and share your ideas – CLICK HERE
• Online survey launching here soon
• Sign up for updates and support the bid, go to:
  culture@milton-keynes.gov.uk 

Your ideas will help shape the programme and vision for 2029.

Milton Keynes has been officially longlisted to become the UK City of Culture 2029, securing £60,000 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to develop its full application.

Being longlisted is a significant moment for Milton Keynes and begins the next phase of the competition, with the city now having around four months to shape a detailed plan for a City of Culture year.

Local people and organisations will be asked to help shape the full application, which will set out Milton Keynes’ programme, partnerships, budget and what being the City of Culture would achieve.

An independent panel will assess the applications from all bidding cities and recommend up to four places for a shortlist. Shortlisted cities will host panel visits and present their plans, and the winner is expected to be announced before the end of 2026.

Milton Keynes City Council is leading the bid in partnership with organisations across the city including The Open University, Stadium MK and Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture.

Residents, communities and strategic partners such as Universal will be invited to help shape the developing plans. If Milton Keynes ultimately secures the 2029 title, its City of Culture year would coincide with the opening of a new £76 million, 4,000 capacity venue in the city centre, an investment from Milton Keynes Development Partnership that will strengthen the city’s cultural infrastructure.

Milton Keynes enters the longlist stage with strong credentials. The city’s pioneering design, modernist identity and inclusive approach to planning have shaped its growth from the beginning. Today it has one of the most resilient economies in the UK and a quality of life that attracts people from across the region. Cultural destinations such as Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes Theatre, MK Gallery and the IF: Milton Keynes International Festival draw visitors from near and far. Around eight million people live within 90 minutes of the city, giving Milton Keynes a significant cultural reach.

The bid will celebrate the city’s design story while promoting opportunity and inclusion. Early proposals include creative apprenticeships, support for emerging talent and Culture Kids MK, which would offer every baby born in 2029 five years of free cultural access. The city will also explore how its mix of design, technology and innovation can inspire new forms of creativity and participation.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran said: “Being longlisted means a lot to Milton Keynes, and we’re ready to push hard to be made the City of Culture. This is a chance for all of us to come together and show everyone what makes our city so special. If we make it to the finish line, the impact on our communities, especially our young people and our local cultural organisations would be truly transformative.”

Artwork created by learners from Milton Keynes charity MK Snap is now on display at Unity Place, following a special launch event that celebrated creativity, community and inclusion.

Seven artworks created by MK Snap learners were selected for the exhibition, each sharing a powerful message about community, individuality and inclusion.

The exhibition is now officially open to visitors to Unity Place.

MK Snap provides a leading programme of learning, life skills, work preparation and employment opportunities for adults aged 18 and over with learning disabilities. Its programmes help learners develop the skills, confidence and support needed to realise their potential while fostering independence, personal growth and community inclusion.

The artwork, selected by MK Snap tutors and learners from the charity’s canvas art sessions, were chosen for the meaningful messages they convey about the MK SNAP community while also connecting with the wider Milton Keynes community.

Several designs reference well-known local landmarks, including the iconic Concrete Cows and the Whispering Statue outside Milton Keynes Central Library. In some pieces, the letter “U” has also been incorporated into the design, celebrating the collaboration between MK Snap and Unity Place and highlighting the creativity and talents of the learners involved.

One of the featured artworks, Holding Hope, by learner Emma, depicts a penguin holding a heart-shaped balloon against a vibrant yellow background – a symbol of resilience and the strength found in community support.

Another standout piece, Labels Are for Jars, painted with remarkable attention to detail by learner Jerry, features a ketchup-style bottle carrying the bold message: “Labels are for jars, not for people.” The colourful artwork challenges stereotypes and celebrates individuality.

Speaking at the launch event, MK Snap Centre Director Steven Carruthers said the exhibition was an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the charity’s learners.

“Tonight is really about celebrating our learners, their creativity and everything they achieve every day,” he said.

“Art has always been something I believe in deeply, not just for the joy of creating it, but for the stories it tells. For our learners, art can be a powerful way to express themselves, build confidence and challenge misconceptions about people with learning disabilities.”

He added that the quality of the artwork often surprises visitors: “People sometimes ask if our learners really painted these pieces – and the answer is yes, they absolutely did. With the right support, encouragement and opportunity, people can achieve incredible things, and the work displayed here proves that.”

Learner Jerry, whose piece Labels Are for Jars is part of the exhibition, described the challenge of perfecting his artwork.

“I really focused on getting the colours right and paying attention to the details. It was challenging, but I’m proud of how it turned out.”

In a video shown during the launch event, Jerry also spoke about the impact MK Snap has had on his life, explaining that the charity has given him a sense of purpose and the opportunity to develop his creativity.

Claire O’Neill, Head of Enterprise at MK Snap, said opportunities to exhibit work in public spaces through partnerships like Unity Place play a vital role in building confidence and strengthening community connections for learners.

“Partnerships with organisations like Unity Place are incredibly important to MK Snap. They allow our learners to share their creativity in public spaces and connect with the wider Milton Keynes community.

“Projects like this help learners build confidence, social skills and a real sense of belonging.”

Speaking at the launch, Adam Holbrook, Head of Placemaking for Unity Place, said the exhibition highlights the importance of community collaboration:

“Unity Place was created as a space where people, creativity and community come together, so we’re delighted to showcase the incredible work of MK Snap’s learners.

The artwork is vibrant, thoughtful and inspiring, and we’re proud to provide a platform for these talented artists to share their stories with the wider Milton Keynes community.”

The MK Snap exhibition can be viewed at Unity Place during opening hours.

For more information, visit https://www.unityplace.co.uk/.

The musical theatre adaptation of the iconic 00s film Mean Girls comes to Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 14 – Sat 18 April. That’s so fetch!

Meet The Plastics – Regina, Gretchen and Karen. They rule North Shore High and will burn anyone who gets in their way. Home-schooled Cady Heron may think she knows a thing or two about survival of the fittest thanks to her zoologist parents, but high school is a whole new level of savage. When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung. Expect iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and killer songs.

The cast of Mean Girls The Musical is led by Faye Tozer (Steps; Strictly Come Dancing) as Ms Heron/Ms Norbury/Mrs George, Emily Lane (Frozen, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as Cady Heron, Vivian Panka (Dear Evan Hansen, UK Tour) as Regina George, Sophie Pourret (Elf the Musical, Aldwych Theatre) as Karen Smith, and Kiara Dario (The Great Gatsby, London Coliseum) as Gretchen Wieners.

MEAN GIRLS, the smash-hit musical comedy based on the iconic Paramount Pictures film of the same name, had its first West End performance at the Savoy Theatre on 5 June 2024, where it was seen by over 330,000 people and played until 8 June 2025. MEAN GIRLS recently took home the coveted ‘Best New Musical’ award at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards.

MEAN GIRLS had its world premiere in 2017 at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C and opened on Broadway in April 2018 at the August Wilson Theatre to ecstatic responses, where it played to packed houses. The show then went on a hugely successful US tour in 2019 and recently completed a second US tour. In addition, in 2024, Paramount Pictures released a new twist on the fan-favourite film from the comedic mind of Tina Fey with a fresh and fun re-telling of the story featuring sensational musical performances.

The musical MEAN GIRLS has a book by Tina Fey, music and vocal arrangements by Jeff Richmond, lyrics by Nell Benjamin, direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw, scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Brian Ronan, hair design by Josh Marquette, musical supervision/vocal, dance, incidental and additional music arrangements by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, orchestrations by John Clancy and dance and incidental music arrangements by Glen Kelly.

Book your tickets now at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes

LISTINGS

Mean Girls
Performances: Tue 14 – Sat 18 Apr 2026
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*

*Fees may apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge

Lights, camera, brass! Alina Brass return to The Stables, Milton Keynes on Saturday 18 April with a high-energy, family-friendly concert celebrating the unforgettable music of the movies.

In this lively and interactive performance, audiences can expect iconic themes from favourite films including Frozen, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean and Coco, brought to life through bold brass arrangements and engaging storytelling.

Perfect for families and young music lovers, the concert invites children to come dressed as their favourite characters and join in the fun, creating a relaxed, immersive atmosphere where everyone is part of the show. With narration from Jessica Wise, the performance also offers a chance to learn about the instruments up close while enjoying some of cinema’s most recognisable tunes.

This 60-minute concert promises a joyful introduction to live performance and a memorable musical adventure for all ages.

Event Details:
Alina Brass: Music from the Movies
Saturday 18 April 2026, 1.00pm
The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Milton Keynes MK17 8LU

Book tickets – £6-£16.50 – at www.stables.org or call The Stables box office on 01908 280800.

More information at https://stables.org/event/alina-brass-music-from-the-movies

Comedy lovers are in for a night of sharp wit and big laughs as Comedy Cow brings another unmissable stand-up night to The Venue MK on Thursday, 17 April.

Headlining the evening is acclaimed political comedian Mark Thomas, known for his fearless satire and razor-sharp commentary. A veteran of the UK comedy scene, Thomas is best known for his hit Channel 4 show The Mark Thomas Comedy Product and the BBC Radio 4 series The Manifesto. He has also received multiple awards for his work, including several at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, cementing his reputation as one of the most influential political comics in the country. Audiences can expect a set that is both thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny.

Opening the show is rising star Quincy, whose energetic stage presence and quick-fire punchlines have been making waves across the UK comedy circuit. With a fresh, relatable style and a knack for connecting with audiences, Quincy is fast becoming one to watch.

The evening will be expertly guided by MC Jon Pearson, a highly experienced compere known for his natural charm, crowd work, and ability to create a relaxed, laughter-filled atmosphere. A regular at top comedy clubs nationwide, Pearson ensures the night flows seamlessly from start to finish.

Taking the middle spot is Eleanor Conway, an acclaimed comedian and storyteller whose brutally honest and often outrageous material has earned her critical praise and a loyal following. Drawing on personal experiences with wit and candour, Conway delivers a set that is as compelling as it is hilarious.

Doors open at 19:00, with the show starting at 20:00.

Tickets are available now via the Comedy Cow website: www.thecomedycow.co.uk

Don’t miss this fantastic night of live comedy in Milton Keynes—early booking is strongly recommended.

The producers of the UK and Ireland tour and WhatsOnStage Award-nominated musical HERE & NOW, presented by UK pop sensation Steps, are delighted to bring the show to Milton Keynes Theatre for a week of performances, from Tue 31 Mar – Sat 4 Apr.

It’s Friday night, and the vibe is right as Caz and her fabulous friends dream of the perfect summer of love. But when Caz discovers her ‘happy ever after’ is a lie, and the gang’s attempts at romance are a total tragedy, they wonder – will love ever get a hold on their hearts? Or should they all just take a chance on a happy ending…

The show stars Lara Denning (& Juliet, UK Tour; Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, West End) as Caz, Sally Ann Matthews (Coronation Street, ITV) as Patricia, Jacqui Dubois (Ghost The Musical UK tour) as Vel, Blake Patrick Anderson (Emojiland, West End) as Robbie, Rosie Singha (& Juliet UK and Ireland tour) as Neeta, River Medway (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, BBC) as Jem, Chris Grahamson (NOW That’s What I Call A Musical UK and Ireland tour) as Gareth, Edward Baker-Duly (The King and I, Broadway & West End) as Max, Ben Darcy (Pretty Woman, West End) as Ben, John Stacey (Kiss Me Kate, Barbican) as Lesley and Lauren Woolf (I Should Be So Lucky, UK Tour) as Tracey.

Featuring Steps’ most beloved hit songs, HERE & NOW has an original book by Shaun Kitchener and is produced by the band and ROYO with Pete Waterman. It is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, with choreography by Olivier Award-winning Matt Cole and Matt Spencer-Smith as musical supervisor, orchestrator and arranger.

Steps (Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee) are the UK’s most successful mixed sex pop group of all time, with 14 top-five singles, 4 number-one albums, 22 million record sales, 500 million streams & 11 sold-out national arena tours under their belts. The band’s hits include #1 singles Tragedy/Heartbeat and Stomp, the gold certified One For Sorrow & Better Best Forgotten, the silver certified 5,6,7,8, Last Thing On My Mind, Love’s Got A Hold On My Heart, Chain Reaction, all of which will feature in the musical alongside many more.

Steps’ 2017 comeback tour sold out all 300,000 tickets, making it one of the biggest pop tours of the year. The band have since continued to release new music, including two further iTunes #1 singles, the Sia-penned What The Future Holds in 2020 and the Michelle Visage duet Heartbreak In This City in 2022. In 2022, Steps celebrated their 25th anniversary with a headline summer tour and released the #1 album Platinum Collection, which means they join ABBA, Rolling Stones and Stereophonics as the only groups in UK history to score #1 albums in four consecutive decades.

Musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Matt Spencer-Smith, set design by Tom Rogers, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Adam Fisher, wigs and hair design by Sam Cox, make-up design by Jackie Saundercock, casting by Will Burton for Grindrod Burton Casting, Music Technology by Phij Adams and Production Management by Setting Line.

Book your tickets now at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes

LISTINGS 

Here & Now – The Steps Musical
Performances: Tue 31 Mar – Sat 4 Apr 2026
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*

*Fees may apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge

Living Archive is running a major new Arts Council-funded project, shining a spotlight on Milton Keynes’ rich Hip Hop scene.

In partnership with the OU’s OpenLearn, MÓTUS Dance, MK Council and others, we are celebrating the past, present and future of local Hip Hop, through the voices, moves and creativity of the people who shaped it.

We are looking forward to sharing some exciting new creations, produced as part of this ongoing project.

In May 2026, we will release a limited edition vinyl compilation album, Under The Grid, featuring MK Hip Hop music spanning nearly four decades. Fully re-mastered, these releases celebrate musical creativity in the city, showcasing some of our most exciting hip hop artists.

The album will normally retail at £18, but will be available for the special price of £15 at events connected with the MK Hip Hop project.

Also released in May, a new graphic zine, Under the Grid: MK Hip Hop culture, will feature contributions from a number of MK hip hop creatives, telling the story of hip hop in the city in their own words.

Later this year, we will open an MK Hip Hop exhibition, which will be shown at two venues in MK.

We will also release a brand-new MK Hip Hop documentary film, showcasing music, dance and street art from the city.

Upcoming MK Hip Hop events – click on the links below

Block Party with Break To The Beat – Coffee Hall

Block Party with Break To The Beat –  Netherfield

MK Hip Hop Festival in Middleton Hall

Hip Hop & Rhyme Time with Hip Hop Tots

The hunt will be on at Milton Keynes Museum this Easter, as youngsters search for hidden eggs which lead the way to yummy chocolate rewards – and no-one will go home empty-handed.

This year’s hunt will see visitors trying to locate a couple of incredibly rare golden eggs that will be hiding somewhere in the Museum.

Find those, and you’ll win a large chocolate Easter egg!

The egg search runs daily from Good Friday to Easter Monday, and little creatives will be able to get busy with ancient-gallery-themed arts and crafts, where kids can make their very own paper plate bunny, and peekaboo peg chick (April 1-6 and April 8-10).

And you can decorate your own Easter themed cookie for a small charge (April 3-6), while history fans of all ages will also enjoy being able to get hands-on with replica and original artefacts.

Visitors can also enjoy so much more that the space has to offer; from playing Parlour Games in the farmhouse and peeking into the world of toys over the years, to taking a stroll along the popular Street of Shops with their original facades from stores once active in our towns.

You’ll also gain an understanding of farming habits locally, and can see some wonderful examples of yesteryear transport, including a Sinclair C5, a canal barge, a fab array of wheelie great bicycles, and even a fire truck from the turn of the last century.

The Easter holidays are also a great time to visit and investigate the Ancient Gallery, and if the day’s activities leave you eggs-hausted, the Museum’s Granary Tea Room will have a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks for an energy boost.

Pay once and you can visit the Museum as often as you like, for free, for a whole year.

For more information visit miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Milton Keynes City Council has confirmed that its highly anticipated free Midsummer Festival will return to the city this June for its third edition. 

The Midsummer Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration inspired by the summer solstice. Held on Midsummer Boulevard, which was famously designed to align with the rising and setting sun, the festival transforms the street and surrounding public spaces into a colourful stage filled with performances, creative workshops, live music, art installations, street food and plenty of activities for all ages. 

More than 14,000 people have enjoyed the festival so far and each year brings new ideas, new artists and new ways for communities to come together. The 2026 programme will take place on Sunday 21 June and is expected to be even bigger, brighter and more imaginative. 

To help shape this year’s festival, the city council is inviting artists, collectives and creative practitioners to submit proposals for a new commissioned artwork or supporting projects. Submissions should include bold, engaging and high-quality ideas that celebrate midsummer themes such as light, nature, connection and renewal. 

Projects should be suitable for outdoor public spaces, inclusive and accessible, and designed to bring people together through participation or shared experience. Proposals may include temporary installations, performances, digital or light-based works, interactive sculptures, immersive pieces or community co-created projects. 

Further information about the commission and details on how to apply are available on: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/culture 

Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran said: “The Midsummer Festival has become a real highlight of our cultural calendar and a celebration of what makes Milton Keynes special. Each year it brings people together in the heart of the city for creativity, colour and fun. We are excited to see ambitious ideas from artists who want to help shape an unforgettable 2026 festival. This is a chance to create something joyful for the whole city to experience.” 

Earlier this year, Milton Keynes City Council announced Milton Keynes would be bidding to become the UK City of Culture 2029. This could bring millions of pounds of investment, boost local jobs and unlock new cultural opportunities for residents, businesses and young people. 

www.midsummer-festival.co.uk 

The Bradwell Windmill Project celebrates one of Milton Keynes’ most distinctive landmarks. Led by Milton Keynes City Council and made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Milton Keynes Museum and the City Council, the project was launched in May 2025 and is running until the end of 2026.

Built around 1805, Bradwell Windmill is believed to be the oldest tower mill in Buckinghamshire and featured on many of the advertisements used to promote the New Town in the 1970s. The Bradwell Windmill Project involves major restoration of the mill itself, as well as an events programme inviting local residents to build a deeper connection with the heritage of the structure, the area, the natural environment and food heritage. This programme has been developed as a partnership between Milton Keynes City Council, Milton Keynes Museum, Living Archive MK, Milton Keynes Arts Centre and resident groups.

To the end of 2025, over 1,500 people had taken part in Bradwell Windmill Project’s events programme: from history and nature walks to story-telling events, craft activities and a community lantern parade. In 2026, many more events and activities are planned, most of which are FREE; full details can be found at:
www.bradwellwindmillproject.co.uk

A new film by Ryan Harvey features contemporary and archival images of the Windmill, interviews with the people involved in the Bradwell Windmill Project and information about what’s happening – view the film on the
Bradwell Windmill website.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran said: “It’s been wonderful to see so many people getting involved with the Bradwell Windmill project, it shows just how much this landmark means to our community. We’re really proud to be restoring the mill and creating events that bring people together to share stories, learn something new and enjoy the area’s heritage.”

Get ready for a night of razor-sharp wit, quickfire crowd work and jaw-dropping improvised rap as Comedy Cows stampedes back into The Venue MK on Friday 13th March.

Headlining the night is the one and only Abandoman, the award-winning improvisational rapper who turns audience suggestions into side-splitting, fully-formed hip-hop bangers on the spot. Blending stand-up, freestyle rap and musical comedy into a truly unique experience, Abandoman has wowed audiences worldwide with his lightning-fast rhymes and unpredictable energy. No two shows are ever the same – and that’s exactly how he (and the crowd) likes it.

Opening the show is actor and comedian James Redmond, bringing his trademark warmth and sharp observational humour to kick the night off in style.

Holding the mic as MC is the ever-brilliant Steve Bugeja, a master of audience banter and perfectly crafted punchlines, ensuring the laughs keep rolling from start to finish.

Completing the stellar line-up is rising talent Louie Green, delivering clever material and confident stage presence that marks him out as one to watch.

Doors open at 19:00, with the show starting at 20:00 sharp. Whether you’re a hip-hop head, a stand-up superfan, or just in desperate need of a proper Friday night out, Comedy Cows promises an unforgettable evening packed with big laughs and even bigger beats.

Tickets are available now via the Comedy Cow website: www.thecomedycow.co.uk

Early booking is strongly advised – especially on a Friday 13th… because the only thing scarier than bad luck is missing out on this line-up.