Blackpool listed by government as potential City of Culture 2029
Blackpool has been invited by the government to bid to be the UK City of Culture 2029.
The council, working with the Arts Council England place partnership funded Creative Blackpool development group, submitted an Expression of Interest earlier in the year, and has been longlisted by Department of Culture, Media and Sport to submit a larger bid.
The council will receive a £60,000 grant towards creating a scalable bid, ahead of making a full application this summer.
If successful, Blackpool would receive £10m to host a year-long celebration of arts and culture for local people to enjoy, as well as increasing the tourism economy and creating new jobs.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Blackpool is bursting with culture and variety. We’ve just celebrated a week-long festival of circus and magic and are looking forward to welcoming the works of both Claude Monet and William Shakespeare in March - all of which is complemented by our year-round celebration of the art and culture of today and tomorrow.
“Our diverse culture and entertainment offer means Blackpool has something for everybody, from all age groups and backgrounds. Being named as the City of Culture 2029 would showcase the talent and creativity that we already have on our doorstep, making all our residents proud of our bold, vibrant and cultural town.
"To top it all off, 2029 would mark the 150th anniversary of one of Britain’s first and most loved mass arts displays – the Blackpool Illuminations.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “For far too long, opportunity has not been shared equally across the country. The UK City of Culture and new UK Town of Culture competitions recognise the enormous contributions made by communities all over the UK who are all part of the story of who we are as a nation.
“I look forward to seeing what the nine longlisted places have in store as they progress in the competition. I also urge any towns thinking about entering the UK Town of Culture competition to seize this opportunity and get involved. It’s a chance to show the country what makes them unique and shine a spotlight on their cultural offer, enriching the lives of local people.”
Blackpool’s relationship with culture is full of variety. From Showtown Museum, which celebrates the town’s iconic history, to the Grundy Art Gallery a National Portfolio Organisation presenting contemporary work from national partners alongside talent rooted in Blackpool itself. The town also hosts major international events such as World Dance Championships, through to community led arts and culture programmes delivered in local neighbourhoods.
In addition to the 150th anniversary of the Blackpool Illuminations, 2029 marks 135 years since the opening of The Blackpool Tower and the Blackpool Grand Theatre, while Blackpool Winter Gardens will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2028.
While not technically a city, Blackpool is the 45th largest place in the UK, with a population of 141,500 and a visitor economy valued at £2bn, which meets the bidding criteria for both competitions.
Blackpool has also been developing an Expression of Interest for UK Town of Culture 2028 competition for the 31 March deadline.
The two prestigious national competitions are led by the government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Whilst UK Town of Culture is a new competition, the City of Culture runs every four years and was previously held in Bradford in 2025. During that year they hosted over 5,000 events for local people and visitors to enjoy., over 75% of which were free. The year involved over 650 local artists and resulted in capital investment for more than 30 local cultural organisations. It also led to increased opportunities for local people to get involved with events, with over 87,000 residents taking part in key projects throughout the year.
The nine longlisted locations are: Blackpool, Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon and Wrexham.
Creative Blackpool
Creative Blackpool has spent the past three years shaping a new Cultural Strategy that sets out a bold vision for 2030: for the town to be recognised as the UK’s Coastal Capital of Creativity. Building on more than 150 years as a national centre of entertainment, the strategy and Place Partnership programme (being delivered until December 2027) aims to harness Blackpool’s vibrant communities, rich cultural heritage and strong creative sector to drive a new era of cultural growth. By bringing together the town’s creative leaders and cross-sector partners, the approach will unlock long-term investment, support world-class artistic production and strengthen Blackpool’s position as an inspiring place to live, work and visit.
Blackpool is entering a major phase of regeneration, underpinned by a £2bn Growth and Prosperity programme and substantial UK government investment. This transformation creates the ideal conditions for culture to play a central role in shaping the town’s future. With new funding enabling a step change in cultural activity, Blackpool is poised to embed creativity into everyday life, building a legacy that is vibrant, inclusive and distinctly its own.
As the town continues its wider renaissance, culture is positioned to drive long-term investment and strengthen community pride — putting it in a strong position to pursue these years of culture opportunities.
