Milton Keynes is to make a bid to become the UK’s top City of Culture - with the potential of a £10m prize.

The City Council has confirmed it will bid for the national UK City of Culture 2029 title, setting out an ambitious plan to celebrate Milton Keynes’ creativity, world‑renowned design heritage and forward‑looking cultural identity.

Led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the awardshines a spotlight on a city’s strengths while supporting new, transformative cultural activity.

The winning place will receive £10 million to deliver its programme, with runners‑up receiving £125,000 and all longlisted areas receiving £60,000 to develop their proposals.

Could Milton Keynes become the UK's top City of Culture?

placeholder image — Could Milton Keynes become the UK's top City of Culture?

Securing a place on the longlist would mark the first step in a "major cultural opportunity” for Milton Keynes, say council official.

MK City Council is leading the bid, working in partnership with organisations from across the city including Universal, The Open University, Stadium MK and Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture. Residents, communities and cultural partners will be invited to help shape the bid as it develops.

If successful, Milton Keynes’ City of Culture year would coincide with the conversion of the Old Bus Station site opposite MK Central station to a major new £76 million, 4,000‑capacity venue in the city centre. Read about this plan here.

The council says Milton Keynes enters the competition with strong credentials. As a city designed from its inception to be innovative, inclusive and future‑focused, its bold urban planning and iconic modernist design have shaped both its identity and the lived experience of its residents.

"Today, Milton Keynes is home to one of the most resilient economies in the UK and a high quality of life that many larger cities aspire to. Eight million people can reach the city within 90 minutes, and millions are drawn to cultural landmarks such as Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes Theatre, MK Gallery and major events including IF: Milton Keynes International Festival,” said a spokesperson.

“While these strengths continue to grow, Milton Keynes’ cultural identity is still evolving. Gaining City of Culture status would accelerate this journey — unlocking new opportunities, championing local talent and strengthening pride of place. Celebrating the city’s design story, from the original grid roads to contemporary creative industries, will be a central part of the emerging bid.”

The developing bid will also champion opportunity and inclusion. Plans include new pathways for young people through creative apprenticeships, support for emerging talent, and ‘Culture Kids MK’ — offering every baby born in 2029 five years of free cultural access. The bid will also explore how the city’s unique interplay of design, technology and innovation can inspire participation and new approaches to creativity.

Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, said: “Becoming a City of Culture in 2029 would be a powerful moment for Milton Keynes — a chance to build on our bold design heritage, supercharge our cultural offer, and show the rest of the country why this is one of the most exciting, inventive and welcoming cities in the UK. This is about celebrating the spirit of Milton Keynes and shaping our next chapter together.”

The winner of UK City of Culture 2029 will be announced towards the end of 2026 after a year‑long assessment process involving detailed review by an independent expert panel.