Milton Keynes to Bid for UK City of Culture 2029

Milton Keynes is bidding for the prestigious UK City of Culture 2029 title.

If successful, the bid could unlock up to £10 million of national investment, bringing a year-long celebration of creativity, culture and community to Milton Keynes, while shining a national spotlight on what makes our city truly distinctive.

Millions of people already visit Milton Keynes every year, drawn to landmarks such as Bletchley Park, MK Theatre, MK Gallery and internationally recognised events like IF: Milton Keynes International Festival. With eight million people able to reach the city within 90 minutes, Milton Keynes is perfectly placed to welcome audiences from across the country.

If Milton Keynes were to win the title, its City of Culture year would coincide with the opening of a brand-new 4,000-capacity city centre live entertainment venue.

Milton Keynes City Council is leading the bid, working with partners from across the city including Universal, The Open University, Stadium MK and Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture. Importantly, residents, communities and cultural organisations will be invited to help shape the bid as it develops — ensuring it reflects the people who live here.

The UK City of Culture 2029 winner will be announced towards the end of 2026, following a year-long process of longlisting, shortlisting and assessment by an independent expert panel.