Huntingdon Takes Bold Step Toward Becoming UK Town of Culture 2028

Huntingdon is officially gearing up for an exciting cultural journey after Huntingdon Town Council voted last week (Thursday 19 February) to back a bold bid for the town to become the UK Town of Culture 2028.

This endorsement marks the beginning of a vibrant, united collaboration between Huntingdon Town Council, BID Huntingdon First, and the Cromwell Museum. Together, the three partners will now work jointly to prepare and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) which is the first major step in the national application process.

Work will now begin behind the scenes to engage local arts and cultural organisations, creative practitioners, performance groups and community arts initiatives. This early collaboration will ensure that Huntingdon’s Expression of Interest is driven by the town’s artistic strengths, from music, theatre, visual arts and dance to grassroots creativity, and reflects the ambition to expand access to culture for everyone.

The UK Town of Culture programme aims to celebrate creativity, local identity, and heritage, spotlighting towns that bring people together and proudly tell their unique stories. Winning towns will deliver ambitious programmes showcasing arts, culture, and community pride, supported by significant investment and national attention. Expressions of Interest are open until 31 March 2026, with shortlisted towns receiving development funding to prepare full bids, and the ultimate winner securing £3 million to deliver a vibrant cultural programme in 2028.

Cllr Amanda Norton, Chair of the Estates Amenities and Communities Committee for Huntingdon Town Council said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be stepping forward with this bid. This is a huge opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Huntingdon special, our heritage, our creativity, and our amazing community. The energy behind this partnership is incredible, and we can’t wait to show the rest of the country what Huntingdon can do.”

Paul Sweeney, CEO for BID Huntingdon First said:

“We see enormous potential for the Town of Culture programme to bring fresh energy and opportunity into Huntingdon. A chance to celebrate the rich cultural activities that already exist on our doorsteps. Showcasing this not just across the UK but by opening doors locally to people who have perhaps not felt included, seen or believed they had access to the arts. Inspiring creativity in our community is a way to strengthen our town, learning from the past, working in the present and shaping it for the future.”

Stuart Orme, Curator for the Cromwell Museum said:

“The Cromwell Museum is rooted in Huntingdon’s cultural identity, and we’re excited to help shape a bid that looks to the town’s future as well as its past. With plans for our expansion underway, this is a perfect moment to work in partnership to celebrate our town’s heritage while embracing new possibilities for the whole community.”

As the Town of Culture Bid takes shape, the partnership’s focus will be on capturing the full breadth of Huntingdon’s cultural spirit, past, present, and future. This collaborative effort aims to create a bid that not only celebrates the town’s identity but also inspires fresh opportunities, creativity, and pride throughout the community.