UK Town of Culture competition
There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the UK Town of Culture competition on 7 January 2026 at 2:30pm. The debate will be opened by Alex Ballinger MP.
On 30 October 2025, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced the launch of the UK Town of Culture competition. According to the announcement,
the competition will be targeted at small and medium sized towns, enabling them to tell their unique story and shining a spotlight on the important role that towns play in our national life.
The competition is also expected to “build on the success of the UK City of Culture programme” and support the government’s Plan for Change mission “to break down barriers to opportunity, driving local economic growth and creating jobs across the UK…”
Applications will be judged on three main criteria:
- “Your story” – the town’s distinctive story or narrative.
- “Culture for everyone” – the town’s inclusive programme design.
- “Making it happen” – the programme’s deliverability and operational plans.
The winning town will be awarded £3.5 million “to help them deliver a cultural programme during the summer of 2028, harnessing what makes their town special.” Towns that make the longlist will receive £60,000 “to help deliver their full bids for the competition.” Another “three most impressive bids from places that reach the shortlist but are not selected as the winner” will be awarded £125,000 each “to help them to take forward elements of their bid and deliver real change for their local area.”