This is an ambitious, city-wide movement powered by the people, places and creativity that make Portsmouth unlike anywhere else. Led by Portsmouth Creates, working alongside Portsmouth City Council and built in collaboration with communities across the city, this is a bid by Portsmouth for Portsmouth: rooted in pride, shaped by local voices, and fuelled by the belief that culture can transform our future.
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.
The announcement comes as Portsmouth prepares for Portsmouth100 in 2026, a year-long celebration marking 100 years since the city was granted city status. Portsmouth100 will bring together communities, organisations and businesses to honour Portsmouth’s proud history while looking boldly towards the future. The City of Culture bid builds directly on this moment, extending its ambition and legacy.
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
What UK City of Culture could mean for Portsmouth
Positioning Portsmouth nationally and internationally as a leading waterfront city
Driving sustainable economic growth, investment and tourism
Creating new businesses and high-quality jobs, helping to retain and attract talent
Raising aspirations, developing skills and making culture accessible for all
Strengthening civic pride, wellbeing and community cohesion
Placing cultural regeneration at the heart of Portsmouth’s future ambitions
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 all 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 steered by the everyday imagination and determination of its residents and artists and fuelled with Pompey grit.
