UK City of Culture is a UK wide competition run by Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), inviting places across the UK to set out their vision for culture-led transformation.
Being named UK City of Culture is a transformational moment in a place’s growth and the competition is an opportunity for places and communities to raise their ambitions and put culture and creativity at the heart of their plans for transformation and aspirations for the future.
Prize money for the winning place is £10 million to support them with the delivery of their programme, as well as £125,000 resource grants for each of the (up to) three ‘runners up’ to allow them to take forward some elements of their bid.
Bids from places across the UK and bidding is not restricted to cities. As a guide, bids from larger towns, regions or groups of places are encouraged. It is for the place itself to decide if it fulfils the requirements.
The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is 11 January 2026.
For further information please select the following link: UK City of Culture 2029 Expression of Interest: Guidance for bidders - GOV.UK.