Milton Keynes
City of culture 2029
Back the bid
Milton Keynes is on an exciting journey – and we’d love you to come along for the ride.
We’re proud to be one of just nine places across the UK longlisted for UK City of Culture 2029. It’s a huge opportunity to celebrate everything that makes MK special – our creativity, our design, our communities, and our ambitious spirit.
What is UK City of Culture?
UK City of Culture is a major national programme led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Previous winners include:
Derry-Londonderry (2013), Hull (2017), Coventry (2021) and Bradford (2025)
The title brings a full year of events – from music, theatre and art to digital innovation, heritage, sport and more. But the real impact lasts far longer, helping cities grow creatively, socially and economically for years to come.
The winning city for 2029 will be announced in winter 2026.
Why Milton Keynes?
Milton Keynes is a city built on imagination – a place where innovation, diversity and creativity thrive side by side.
From world-class festivals and iconic outdoor events to grassroots creativity in every grid square, MK is already bursting with culture. But we know this is just the beginning.
Bidding for UK City of Culture is a chance to:
– Put MK on the national and global stage
– Bring more opportunities for artists, young people and communities
– Attract investment, jobs and visitors
– Create a lasting legacy that benefits everyone
Other cities have shown just how powerful this can be – with millions of visitors, thousands of events, and a huge boost in local pride. We believe Milton Keynes can go even further.
What could 2029 look like?
If we’re successful, 2029 will be a year-long celebration across the whole of Milton Keynes – from the city centre to our historic towns and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Think…
– Spectacular outdoor events and city-centre takeovers
– New festivals and expanded favourites
– Creative projects in every community
– Opportunities for local people to take part, volunteer and lead
And most importantly – a programme shaped by you.
What‘s the timeline?
Summer 2026 – Community engagement, events and idea gathering
August 2026 – Final bid submitted
Autumn 2026 – Shortlisted cities announced
Early 2027 – Winner revealed
GET INVOLVED
Winning UK City of Culture would be a game-changer for Milton Keynes – but the journey itself is already bringing people together, sparking ideas and building momentum. Right now, we’re building our bid and we want to hear from as many people as possible.
Over the coming weeks, throughout the summer, you can get involved…
Come along to our events and pop-ups
We’re popping up across the city – in community spaces, cultural venues and public places – to meet you, hear your ideas and spark conversations.
Take a look at our Programme of Events
Share your ideas
Got a brilliant event idea? A creative project? A story about your community? We want to hear it.
Contact us at: culture@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Take part in our online questionnaires
Quick, easy surveys are helping us shape the themes of the bid – making sure it reflects the people of MK today and our ambitions for the future.
CREATIVE & CULTURAL SECTOR QUESTIONNAIRE
MORE COMING SOON
Get involved through schools
Every school in Milton Keynes is being invited to take part – giving young people the chance to imagine and shape what 2029 could look like.
Contact us at: culture@milton-keynes.gov.uk
GET MORE INFORMATION
For logos, assets and press releases to help support our UK City of Culture 2029 Bid, please download our media pack