We Are Pompey
Portsmouth is bidding to become UK City of Culture 2029
Portsmouth is launching an ambitious, city-wide bid to become UK City of Culture 2029, led by Portsmouth Creates and shaped by the people, places and creativity that define the city.
Working closely with partners across the city, Portsmouth Creates is leading the development of a bid rooted in collaboration, community voice, and creative ambition. This is a bid by Portsmouth, for Portsmouth – one that reflects the city’s heritage, energy and future potential.
The bid aligns with a long-term vision for Portsmouth to be a city where culture and creativity are central to everyday life, driving regeneration, improving wellbeing and creating opportunity for all. Culture will sit at the heart of the city’s future, not as an add-on, but as a catalyst for lasting social and economic change.
What is UK City of Culture?
The UK City of Culture title is awarded every four years by the UK Government via the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) to a city or place that demonstrates ambition, creativity, and community engagement in culture.
The winning city delivers a year-long cultural programme that helps to boost the economy, attract tourism, and create an inclusive legacy of pride and investment.
Previous winners include:
- 2013: Derry-Londonderry
- 2017: Hull
- 2021: Coventry
- 2025: Bradford
Why Portsmouth
Portsmouth becoming UK City of Culture in 2029 would bring particular benefits because of the city’s distinctive character: a compact island city with a strong sense of community and identity. Portsmouth’s geography naturally connects people, neighbourhoods, cultural venues, schools and businesses sit within a walkable, shared space, making collaboration and participation easier than in many larger cities. This physical closeness mirrors the social fabric of Pompey, where community pride and local creativity run deep.
Our bid harnesses that unique energy. It will bring together artists, organisations, neighbourhood groups, educators, businesses and residents to shape a shared vision for what culture can unlock in Portsmouth. In a city defined by resilience and togetherness, culture becomes something lived and shared every day, from community-led events and grassroots creativity to major cultural moments that reflect who we are. The programme will be powered by the everyday imagination our determination of Pompey grit.
Why Now?
The moment is particularly powerful. In 2026, Portsmouth will celebrate Portsmouth100, marking 100 years since the city was granted city status. This milestone offers a chance not only to celebrate Portsmouth’s rich history, but also to look forward with confidence. A 2029 City of Culture programme would build directly on the momentum of Portsmouth100, honouring the city’s heritage while accelerating a bold cultural future for our island city and community.
The ambition extends far beyond 2029. The bid is about embedding culture and creativity into daily life across Portsmouth, using them as a catalyst for regeneration, wellbeing and opportunity. By strengthening connections between communities and cultural organisations, the programme will help build a healthier, fairer and more connected city, one where culture supports economic growth, civic pride and social inclusion long after the title year.
How will winning help Portsmouth?
The winning city receives £10m to make its bid a reality. Previous winners have seen big benefits to their cities including:
- £150m of economic impact in Derry/Londonderry
- Over 6 million visitors and £300m tourism value in Hull in 2017
- Nearly 800 new jobs in Hull’s cultural and visitor economy
- Over £750m from tourism for Coventry
- 3m people attended events in Bradford 87,000 took part in a project and 5500 people benefited from training
22m experienced Bradford’s programme online
For Portsmouth, this isn’t just a title – it’s a chance to show what our island city can do. We’d be able to bring a year-long celebration of culture to Portsmouth – a chance to turn our creativity, independence and maritime heritage into new opportunities, new investment and a stronger future for every part of Pompey. Being UK City of Culture would bring more visitors, more jobs, more visibility and more long‑term benefits across health, wellbeing, business and community life – impacts shown in previous host cities like Hull and Coventry.
Get involved
This is a bid shaped by Portsmouth and we want as many voices involved as possible. If you’re a resident, artist, organisation, community group or business and would like to be part of the journey, we’d love to hear from you. Email projects@portsmouthcreates.co.uk to get involved.
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