Calling Welsh Towns: Could a Welsh town be crowned the first UK town of culture?

With 11 weeks to use, the competitors is open to small, medium and enormous cities in Wales, with the winner delivering a vibrant cultural programme. Showcasing Welsh cities via native visions and voices – via new arts venues, performances, workshops and extra – this competitors brings native funding, creates a long-lasting sense of delight in cities, and opens doorways to the humanities for everybody.

Cities can submit their Expressions of Curiosity now. Sir Phil Redmond will lead an skilled panel, judging cities on the way in which they’ll inform their distinctive story, how they’ll deliver everybody in a group collectively, and the way cities will ship on their imaginative and prescient. The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, with every shortlisted city receiving £60,000 to assist ship their full bids for the competitors.

Three finalists – one small, one medium, one giant city – will likely be chosen. The winner will likely be topped UK City of Tradition 2028 and obtain a £3 million prize. The 2 runners-up will every obtain £250,000 to ship components of their bid, from refreshed group infrastructure to electrical music festivals.

The deadline for Expressions of Curiosity for UK City of Tradition 2028 is 31 March 2026, with the shortlist of cities anticipated to be introduced this Spring.

Tradition Secretary Lisa Nandy mentioned:

There’s a lot for Welsh cities to be happy with – from the wealthy, native historical past to distinctive festivals and celebrations. They’ve formed our nationwide story for many years. Now it’s time they take centre stage and showcase the distinctive tales they need to inform.

We have now seen the transformative energy of tradition via the UK Metropolis of Tradition competitors. I need to ensure that Welsh cities have the identical alternative to make an actual distinction to their local people and present the world precisely why their city is so particular.

This competitors, introduced by the Tradition Secretary Lisa Nandy in October 2025, supplies a platform for communities throughout the nation to inform their very own distinctive story and shines a highlight on the very important position cities play in our nationwide life.

From the historic fort partitions of Caernarfon and Caerphilly, and from seaside Llandudno and Laugharne, Wales is interlinked by a wealthy community of cities, every with their very own historical past and identification.

That is a part of the Prime Minister’s ambition to revive delight in each a part of Britain as he serves the entire of the nation.

British cities are brimming with group spirit – we’re offering the chance to deliver it to life. Rising delight in native areas additionally encourages them to get out and about to museums, galleries and stay performances, which additionally means extra money spent supporting native companies and jobs.

UK City of Tradition Chair, Sir Phil Redmond mentioned:

I’m delighted to have been requested to Chair the brand new City of Tradition competitors, as prior to now it has been onerous to adequately show the depth, breadth and variety of the UK’s cultural panorama via the UK Metropolis of Tradition’s city lens.

The 2 competitions will complement one another whereas offering extra alternatives for extra locations to each show and have fun that creativity will not be confined to the nice city live performance halls, theatres or galleries. It’s in every thing we do collectively. In each city, village, neighbourhood, road or highway.

UK City of Tradition asks what makes your city particular? What makes its folks proud to be there? And why ought to that be celebrated?

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens mentioned:

All throughout Wales there are fantastic cities with distinct histories and cultures which make them improbable locations to go to, stay and work.

From the Porthcawl Elvis Pageant to the Worldwide Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Welsh cities host quite a few occasions that appeal to guests from everywhere in the world. They’re locations with a wealthy heritage, like Caernarfon with its world-famous fort and Aberystwyth, the house of the Nationwide Library of Wales.

I’d like to see a Welsh city be topped the UK’s City of Tradition to let everybody know what makes our cities actually particular.

This follows the federal government in November 2025 launching its Delight in Place Programme, offering as much as £10 billion to assist 244 cities throughout the nation whose communities have been let down by decline and systematic under-investment. Underneath this scheme, communities will be capable of spend the funding on what issues most to them – from enhancements to pavements and excessive streets to investing in tradition and inexperienced areas.

Constructing on confirmed success

The UK City of Tradition competitors builds on the success of UK Metropolis of Tradition, which has delivered transformative advantages for its 4 winners. Bradford, final 12 months’s title holder,  is projected to profit from £389 million in progress throughout the district, with metropolis centre footfall up 25% throughout its 12 months within the highlight. Early estimates present audiences for its Metropolis of Tradition programme exceeded 3 million, with 80% of native residents surveyed saying it improved their wellbeing and made them really feel happy with the place they stay.

The UK Metropolis of Tradition competitors has confirmed that tradition and funding work hand in hand, delivering group renewal that revitalises every thing from excessive streets to job alternatives.

The seek for UK Metropolis of Tradition 2029 is already underway for Expressions of Curiosity from cities, bigger cities, areas and teams of locations. The successful place for UK Metropolis of Tradition 2029 will likely be awarded £10 million.

ENDS