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.

Designed to celebrate the birdlife of the woodland, Hear, Here! in Hazeley Wood invites visitors to pause, listen and connect with the natural world.

The installation, created by Public Art Matters building on the original concept of Dallas-Pierce-Quintero, features a trio of colourful sound‑gathering cones aimed toward the tree canopy. These sculptural cones amplify and intensify birdsong, encouraging people of all ages to tune in and discover how many species they can hear.

Standing nearby is a unique bird‑identification pole – an imaginative tool to help visitors recognise the sounds around them. Circular disks display bird silhouettes alongside phonetic spellings of their calls. These were created in collaboration with local children from Whitehouse Primary School, who worked with the artist to illustrate and sound-out the birdsong. At the very top of the pole sits a bird box, offering a home for nesting or wintering birds.

The artist behind Hear, Here! Juliet Quintero says “This piece is designed to encourage us to take a moment to stop and engage with our environment, to recognise the many living creatures that co‑exist with us.”

Crafted from robust, sound‑reflective steel, the cones are engineered to capture and direct the delicate details of woodland bird calls. Their colours have been carefully chosen to mirror the changing seasonal tones of the surrounding leaves.

Julie Dawes, Events & Community Engagement Manager at The Parks Trust says “In a busy world, Hear, Here! invites us to stand still for a moment and let the woodland speak. It’s a wonderful celebration of the birds and habitats we care for. It brings art, nature and community together in a really engaging way, and we’re especially proud of the local children who helped shape the bird‑identification pole.”

A partnership of The Parks Trust and Milton Keynes City Council commissioned the artwork via Section 106 public art funds linked to local housing development, bringing long‑term cultural and environmental value to the community.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Shanika Mahendran said: “By bringing together developer contributions, we’re able to invest in public art that delivers lasting value for our communities. Hear, Here! puts those funds to good use by creating a simple, striking way for people to stop, listen and enjoy the wildlife around them. The bold sound cones and the bird spotting pole make it easy for everyone to connect with nature.”

Find out about the artwork and its location on theparkstrust.com/hearhere

Families looking for action-packed fun this Easter should make a beeline for the Spring Spectacular at Gulliver’s Land.

The theme park in Milton Keynes is serving up an array of colourful events for the holidays led by the Easter Bunny and Candy Crew. Discover Lollipop Trees, Colossal Candy Canes and take some Sweet Selfies along the way, with a chance to win fantastic spring surprises!

The Easter Bunny will be making appearances every day throughout the holiday with Bing & Flop also welcoming guests.

Once you are through the doors at Gulliver’s Land there are more than 50 rides, attractions, shows and activities to entertain all the family, including a brand new ride ‘The Wriggler’ which is a perfect first taste of rollercoasters for all young thrill-seekers!

And not forgetting the Jungle River Ride, Dragon Siege 360-degree pendulum, and the Grand Prix Racers rollercoaster to enjoy.

Gulliver’s resort Milton Keynes is also home to Gulliver’s Dinosaur & Farm Park, where this Easter you can get up close with roaring, tail-thrashing dinos – and meet The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Elmer the Elephant!

Spring Spectacular runs from March 28 to April 12, with prices from £24 per person per day – and you can save money if you book in advance online.

Sue Conway, resort manager at Gulliver’s Land, said: “We have so much fun and adventure lined up for Easter, and we can’t wait to entertain everyone, young and old. The Easter Bunny and our other characters bring great fun to the resort and we have lots of activities and photo opportunities for all to enjoy as well as all our rides and attractions which will be ready and raring to go.”

If you are looking to make your Easter visit to Gulliver’s Land even more special, why not stay a night or two at the resort, which offers a wide range of accommodation options, including Princess Suites, Dinosaur and Unicorn themed lodges, Western Lodges and Woodland Lodges.

For more information and to book your tickets, visit:
www.gulliverslandresort.co.uk

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

Milton Keynes City Council is investing £40,000 to boost Milton Keynes’ grassroots music venues and bring fresh energy to the night-time economy. This funding will help create more free gigs, new DJ nights and better platforms for emerging local talent.

The Craufurd Arms (Wolverton), MK11 (Kiln Farm), The Stables (Wavendon) and Unit Nine (Wolverton) will each receive support to grow their event programmes and strengthen opportunities for local artists.

This shows the importance of grassroots venues to the city’s cultural life, especially for young people who want creative experiences close to home. These independent venues nurture new talent, create jobs in the creative industries and keep the MK night-time economy thriving and the council are committed to helping them continue that work.

Here’s how some of the funding will be used:

• The Craufurd Arms will run a series of live showcases, giving local bands the chance to perform on a professional stage and take home high quality recordings and video content.
• MK11 will launch a run of free-entry gigs, helping more people experience live music while ensuring artists are paid fairly.
• Unit Nine will expand its FUTURE SOUNDS events, giving aspiring DJs and producers the chance to play to large crowds and gain experience on a major stage.

Venues were selected using the Music Venues Trust definition of a Grassroots Music Venue, which recognises independent spaces that champion new and emerging talent, reinvest in their communities and operate with limited profit margins while prioritising cultural value.

Photo: The Stables MK

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

Families searching for free activities to keep the little ones entertained during the Easter holidays need look no further than Unity Place.

Located in the heart of Milton Keynes and easily accessible via the city’s Redways, Unity Place is encouraging families to hop along to one of their free Easter events including an Egg Hunt Trail and a screening of Peter Rabbit 2.

Everyone is welcome and there’s no need to book for either activity, perfect for those days when you want to get out of the house, but you haven’t made any plans. So, round up a crowd and join in the eggs-cellent fun at Unity Place.

Unity Place Egg Hunt Trail

The Egg Hunt at Unity Place is a free digital trail with clues appearing on screens in and around Unity Place. Every player receives a free chocolate treat, and there’s plenty to enjoy before or after the trail including lunch or snacks in the Urban Food Market as well as giant games to play and a colouring station.

Drop in on weekdays between 11 am and 2 pm, from 30 March to 10 April (excluding bank holidays and weekends) and follow the clues across the screens to uncover every hidden egg.

Find out more here:
https://www.unityplace.co.uk/whats-on-milton-keynes/easter-unity-place/

Family Cinema Screening: Peter Rabbit 2

Hop into Unity Place for a free family screening of Peter Rabbit 2 on the large screen in the Urban Food Market. Settle in for a relaxed morning surrounded by great food, fresh coffee and plenty of space for little ones to get comfy before the film begins.

Rye’s Deli will be serving a full range of hot drinks, pastries and light bites, and the Urban Food Market will be open with a wide choice of lunch options.

The screening takes place on Tuesday 31 March at 11 am, with a runtime of approximately 90 minutes. After the film, stay for lunch and browse the latest Urban Food Market menus.

Peter Rabbit 2 (PG) follows Peter as he ventures beyond the garden and discovers a world that embraces his mischievous streak, until his family sets out on a heartfelt mission to bring him home. It’s a lively, funny and warm family adventure, ideal for the school holidays.

A free, easy-going day out for families looking to make the most of the Easter break at Unity Place.

More details at:
https://www.unityplace.co.uk/whats-on-milton-keynes/march-films/

The Dinosaur & Farm Park at Gulliver’s Resort will roar back into action when it opens for the new season in time for the Easter holidays.

In the Dino & Farm Park you can explore the Lost World in Dinosaur Discovery, visit the Reptile and Bug Centre, and a farmyard with a host of animals to enjoy.

It is open 11.00am-5.00pm at weekends from Saturday 28 March and during school holidays throughout the season, with tickets starting at £11 per person.

Gulliver’s Resort in Milton Keynes also encompasses Gulliver’s Land theme park, which started its season at February half-term.

It has more than 50 exciting rides, attractions, shows and activities for young adventure-seekers to enjoy, including The Runaway Train, Dragon Siege 360-degree pendulum, and the Grand Prix Racers rollercoaster.

Sue Conway, resort director at Gulliver’s Resort, said: “Our dinosaurs and animals have been resting up over the winter, and we’re busy getting everything ready to open the Dinosaur & Farm Park for what promises to be a fantastic Easter holidays. We can’t wait to welcome everyone – and ensure families have a giganotosaurus amount of fun during their visit!”

Families looking to savour their time at Gulliver’s Resort can enjoy a super staycation in the theme park’s variety of accommodation, which includes Princess Suites, Dinosaur and Unicorn-themed lodges, Western Lodges, and Woodland Lodges.

For more information and to book tickets for both Gulliver’s Land and the Dino & Farm Park, visit:
www.gulliverslandresort.co.uk

Kents Hill Park, one of Milton Keynes’ leading conference and training venues, has announced a new Day Delegate Rate (DDR) from just £35 per person including VAT, offering outstanding value for organisations looking to host meetings, workshops, and training days in the region.

Part of The Venues Collection, Kents Hill Park is well known for its dedicated event facilities, professional support teams, and convenient location close to the M1 and central rail links. The new rate aims to make high‑quality meeting space more accessible for businesses planning events in 2026 and beyond.

Located just a short drive from central Milton Keynes, the venue offers a purpose‑built environment that is ideal for focused, productive meetings. With 420 complimentary onsite parking spaces, high‑speed Wi‑Fi, and a range of well‑equipped spaces, Kents Hill Park caters for both small groups and larger delegate numbers.

The venue features 70 meeting rooms, offering flexible configurations suitable for board meetings, training sessions, lectures, and conferences. In addition, Kents Hill Park provides 300 comfortable on‑site bedrooms, making it an excellent choice for multi‑day events requiring accommodation.

Sustainability also remains a key focus. The venue holds Green Meetings Silver accreditation, making it a strong choice for organisations that prioritise responsible event delivery. Delegates arriving by electric vehicle can also benefit from on‑site EV charging points, further supporting low‑carbon travel.

“We’re committed to supporting businesses in Milton Keynes with accessible, high‑quality event solutions,” says Jon‑Paul Earles, Director of Sales at Kents Hill Park. “The new £35 DDR offers exceptional value while still providing the professional experience we’re known for. We’re delighted to make our spaces even more available to local organisations planning meetings, training sessions, and corporate gatherings.”

“Milton Keynes has such a vibrant business community, and we’re proud to offer a competitive rate that helps companies run successful events without compromising on quality. We look forward to welcoming even more organisations through our doors this year.”

With its strong reputation, sustainability credentials, and flexible approach, Kents Hill Park continues to be a trusted venue partner for organisations across Buckinghamshire and beyond.

For more information or to enquire about availability:
???? 01908 358 000
???? kentshill.enquiries@thevenuescollection.co.uk
???? https://www.kentshillpark.com/
???? Timbold Drive, Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ

On Saturday 21 March, some of the Gladiators from the hit BBC One show Gladiators will be coming to centre:mk for an action-packed day you won’t want to miss!

You can meet your favourite superhumans, put your skills to the test with a head-to-head battle of balance in the inflatable challenge zone, and strike your ultimate power pose in a brand-new trading card booth.

Join the fun in Middleton Hall, outside John Lewis & Partners from 10am. The event is expected to be busy, so arrive early to make sure you don’t miss out.

FAQs

How does queueing work? / Is there a maximum capacity for the meet and greet? / What happens if the queue is full?

For safety reasons, we have a maximum capacity for the meet and greet of 2000 people which will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 2000 guests in the queue will receive a wristband which will guarantee entry to the meet and greet.

If/when the attendee count reaches 2000, we will need to regrettably close the queue and will not guarantee entry. The event is extremely popular and first-come, first-serve is the fairest for all guests.

Once the queue is closed, our event team will clearly communicate this. If you cannot join the queue within the laid-out barrier system, please do not join as entry will not be permitted. We highly recommend arriving early to avoid disappointment. We appreciate your understanding — attendee safety always comes first.

How long is the meet & greet queue?

We’re thrilled so many of you want to join us! As you can imagine, the Gladiators draw a big crowd ????

Queue times vary depending on arrival time and time of day, but at peak times you may need to wait a while. Our team works hard to keep things moving safely and smoothly, and we’ll always do our best to see as many people as possible.

If you’re short on time and we recommend participating in the Duel experience as an alternative to the meet and greet.

How long will I get with some of the Gladiators?

The meet and greet is a quick hello, photo opportunity and autograph moment so we can make sure as many fans as possible get to take part.

We know you’d love a long chat (so would we!), but to keep the queue moving it’s a short interaction per group.

Our friendly security and team members will be there to assist you through the experience.

Will all the Gladiators be there? / Which Gladiators will be at Centre MK?

Up to 5 fan-favourite Gladiators will visit Centre MK, ready to meet you all. Please note that we cannot guarantee that all 5 Gladiators will be at the meet and greet when you visit due to breaks in the day.

Is the event free?

Yes — all aspects of the event are free.

Can children attend?

Absolutely! The roadshow is designed to be family-friendly and packed with Gladiator energy.

Can I bring something to be signed?

Yes — you’re welcome to bring one small item per person to be signed.

To keep things fair and moving quickly, signing may be restricted if demand is high.

What should I know about the queue and accessibility?

The queue moves as quickly as possible, but during peak times you may experience a longer wait — we really appreciate your patience. Please note that, for this roadshow, we don’t have a dedicated accessible queue. Everyone joins the same line to ensure safety and a smooth experience for all attendees.

If you or someone in your group has additional needs, our team on-site will do their best to support you. We recommend arriving early to give yourself plenty of time and to speak to a staff member if you have specific concerns.

We’re so excited for you to meet the Gladiators — thank you for understanding and helping us keep the event safe and fun for everyone!

With English Tourism Week 2026 starting on 13 March, Destination Milton Keynes (DMK), the city’s official tourism and information service, commissioned a recent report from Tourism South East, which has valued the tourism sector at £413 million* for the city, and shows this thriving visitor economy sustains over 14,000 jobs*.

Last year, Milton Keynes was named the nation’s top city for ‘destination shopping stays’, firmly cementing its place as a destination of choice for city breakers, and the new report confirms this by showing direct tourism revenue into the city is driven primarily by day trips and domestic overnight holidays, with spend by day trip travellers at over £279 million.

This new report shows a marked increase in the value of the visitor economy to the city, with an 89% increase since the report was last completed pre-pandemic in around 2018.

In a tough period for the leisure and hospitality sector, the job market remains strong within the city, with over 14,000 directly related tourism jobs supported, across areas such as retail, accommodation, bars, restaurants and visitor attractions.

Over the next five years, Destination Milton Keynes will be working closely with Milton Keynes City Council and other stakeholders to further enhance the city’s tourism credentials, looking to promote Milton Keynes to a wider audience for both leisure and business visitors, and looking to capitalise on this sustained growth by capturing more overnight tourism to increase visitor spend even further.

Andrew Kirby, General Manager of Destination Milton Keynes said, “This report shows the visitor economy in Milton Keynes is thriving but at Destination Milton Keynes we have an ambition to push the message to a wider audience both locally, regionally and nationally. We want to continue driving up visits to our city, increasing the spend and creating even more jobs.”

Cabinet Member for Planning & Placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, commented, “These figures are fantastic news for Milton Keynes and really highlight the energy and ambition of our growing visitor economy. Tourism is creating thousands of jobs and bringing real vibrancy to our city, and we’re excited to build on this momentum with Destination Milton Keynes. With major opportunities on the horizon that will further boost regional tourism, we’re ready to make the most of this growth and welcome even more visitors to experience everything our brilliant city has to offer.”

To find out about membership opportunities with Destination Milton Keynes for your organisation CLICK HERE or follow @DestinationMK on social media.

* Source – TSE Research, Milton Keynes Economic Value & Volume of the Visitor Economy report Feb 2026

PHOTO CREDIT: SHAUN GEORGE

Midsummer Place welcomed families, visitors and the local community this weekend for the vibrant launch of Wings of Wonder, transforming The Boulevard into a colourful celebration of creativity, nature and spring.

The free event marked the unveiling of the centre’s stunning new butterfly canopy installation, which now floats above Midsummer Boulevard, creating a striking and uplifting display for visitors to enjoy in the months ahead.

Throughout the day, hundreds of visitors gathered to enjoy a lively programme of entertainment and family-friendly activities. Butterfly stilt walkers brought colour and spectacle to The Boulevard, while children and families took part in creative workshops, face painting and butterfly mask-making.

The Bandstand provided a focal point for the celebrations, with live entertainment creating a joyful atmosphere as shoppers and visitors stopped to watch, take photos and soak up the moment.

The installation forms part of Midsummer Place’s wider programme of seasonal experiences designed to bring moments of surprise, creativity and joy to the city centre.

Kirsty McGiff, Marketing Manager at Midsummer Place, said: “Wings of Wonder was a magical moment for the centre. Seeing families, children and visitors stop to look up, take photos and enjoy the atmosphere was exactly what we hoped for. The butterfly canopy is a beautiful symbol of transformation and positivity, and we’re delighted to bring something so uplifting to the heart of Milton Keynes.”

The butterfly canopy will remain in place until September, inviting visitors to experience the display, capture photos and enjoy a colourful new backdrop while visiting Midsummer Place.