Swindon's bid to be UK City of Culture 2029 was formally submitted on Wednesday 12 August 2026 by Swindon Borough Council and Swindon Culture Collective. The town had been longlisted in March as one of nine places still in the national competition.
What would winning mean?
- £10m for a year-long programme of cultural, heritage and community activity in 2029.
- The bid covers activity from 2027 to 2030, aiming for wider participation, skills, more visitors and investment.
- The programme would build on Signal Festival, Swindon MELA, the Festival of Tomorrow and the Swindon Festival of Literature.
Who was behind the bid?
Thousands of residents contributed ideas through postcards, idea boxes at community events, pop-ups at festivals, sports fixtures and shopping centres, and online. Businesses that pledged support included Zurich Municipal, Panattoni, GWR, Thermo Fisher, Swindon's Bus Company, DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon, Thrings and Gel Studios. The bid also drew on the Science Museum Group, UK Research and Innovation and the National Trust.
Councillor Matthew Vallender, Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, said: "Today marks an important milestone in our ambition to become UK City of Culture 2029."
Dr Rod Hebden, Director of Swindon Culture Collective, said: "If successful, City of Culture 2029 would not simply be a year of celebration."
The council's announcement did not give a date for the decision.
Source: Swindon Borough Council.