UK City of Culture: Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham shortlisted for 2029

Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham have been shortlisted to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2029.

The winning location will be announced in May and will be the fifth holder of the title – following Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford.

A different location is given the City of Culture title every four years. Each shortlisted city will now receive at least £125,000 from the government to do further work on their bid.

The eventual winner will receive £10m to deliver a year of cultural events and activities drawing on its “local strengths and stories”.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the shortlisted cities “have shown the pride that exists in their places with the incredible culture on their doorsteps”.

Three of the contenders are in England and one in Wales. They were chosen from a longlist of nine, which also included Inverness, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Swindon.

The shortlisted cities are: