Milton Keynes makes final four in race for UK City of Culture 2029 title and £10m prize
Milton Keynes has been announced among a shortlist of four locations in the race for the title of UK City of Culture 2029.
The Milton Keynes Citizen officially backed the city council’s bid for the title and huge cash prize when it was launched in February this year.
Now Milton Keynes joins Blackpool, Sheffield and Wrexham as the locations recommended by the UK City of Culture’s expert advisory panel.
After reaching the final four, Milton Keynes will receive at least £125,000 for elements of the bid, with one location going on to take the title and a prize of £10 million.
The competition, which is delivered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, aims to bring culture into the heart of communities as well as giving people the opportunity to get involved in everything the arts has to offer.
Speaking about Milton Keynes reaching the final four, city council leader Jane Carr said: “This is a huge honour and a tribute to the hard work and vision of everyone who has helped to shape Milton Keynes’ bid.
“The last nine months have been nothing short of inspiring. Thousands of residents, organisations and the creative community came together to develop our bid.
“They all have a strength of belief in the creative and cultural future of our city, and we’re looking forward to sharing this momentum and spirit of optimism with the UK City of Culture judges.
“We’re now on the cusp of the 60th anniversary of our founding and have so much to look forward to during this landmark year and beyond.
“Whoever is announced as the winner next year, we will enter our 60th year with our heads held high and know that - as our bid sets out - we’re just getting started.”
Thousands of people attended city council events and pop-ups to share ideas which helped shape the final submission.
There is still the chance to get involved and share ideas by emailing [email protected] or take part in an online questionnaire.
The winner is set to be announced in early 2027, and before that members of the expert advisory panel will visit the shortlisted locations.
The panel’s chair Sir Phil Redmond said: “Once again there is a hard choice ahead. The four places on the shortlist continue to demonstrate both the variety and strength of creative ambition across the UK.
“Each place represents a different view, or aspect, epitomising what culture is, the sum of all we do together, and while each approach it differently, they all share the common aim of reminding the rest of the UK of who they are, where they are and why they are worth visiting.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy added: “Every place has a story worth telling of its own unique history, identity and contribution.
“It has been amazing to see this year’s bidders for UK City of Culture showcase what makes their community claim such a special place in our national story.
“Great culture is everywhere, but the opportunity to showcase it, to put it on display and to show how it is woven into our national story is not.
“Congratulations to Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham on making the shortlist. They are proud of their incredible culture, and they are right to be. I wish them the best of luck for the final stage of the competition.”
Bradford in Yorkshire is the current holder of the title, having been named UK City of Culture 2025.
Coventry, Hull and Derry-Londonderry are all previous winners of the UK City of Culture title.