It's time to come together

UK Town of Culture Bid 2028

The UK Town of Culture is a brand new competition. The first UK Town of Culture will receive £3 million to deliver an ambitious programme of cultural activity in 2028.

Deadline for the bid:
March 31, 2026.

Made in Newark together

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Made in Newark together •

Our Story

Person attaching orange paper strips to a blue poster or paper, with scissors nearby, on a wooden surface.

With its rich heritage, riverside setting, and proud history as a thriving centre of trade, Newark offers a unique blend of tradition and energy. Its welcoming spirit and vibrant creativity continue to shape a town full of character and opportunity.

Newark is a town brimming with creative thinkers and makers, offering everything from vintage treasures and antiques to books, finely crafted musical instruments, sports, food, and drink.

Young girl dressed in historical clothing, sitting on grass during an outdoor event, with a cloudy sky and blurred spectators in background.
A man standing outside a butcher shop with a red and white striped apron, holding a string of sausages in front of the shop window displaying various meats. The shop has wooden signage that reads 'Family Sibley's Butcher' and decorative elements like hanging flowers.
Boxers practicing in a boxing gym, with a boxing ring, punching bags, and workout equipment.
A man with curly hair, glasses, wearing a blue shirt and apron, working on a wooden violin in a workshop, with tools and a lamp on the table, in the background there are other people and workshop materials.
A woman with brown hair, wearing a plaid pants, a colorful jacket, and black boots, is sitting on the steps outside a vintage store, holding a small dog. The store's window displays clothing and signs, including a large 'Open' sign with flowers around it, and potted plants are on the steps. The street appears cozy and inviting.

It’s time to come together.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched the inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028 competition, inviting small and medium-sized towns to submit bids by March 31, 2026.

The winner will receive £3 million to deliver a transformative cultural programme that boosts local pride and regeneration. Newark is ideally placed for this to happen.

Newark is highly walkable with great public spaces and is ideal for hosting creative events, festivals and activities.

How we use spaces and bring the town alive will help us imagine the Newark of the future.

For this to happen, we need the whole community to show their creative potential together.