The MK50 Project Board is co-ordinating a programme of headline events, tours and trails, arts and heritage activity and community events to celebrate the city’s past, present and future.
The full programme of MK50 events and activities will be promoted at www.MK50.co.uk, www.facebook.com/culturemk and www.Twitter.com/culturemk.
January 7-22 A major exhibition will take over Middleton Hall to tell the story of how Milton Keynes turned from farm land and villages into a bustling city of nearly 270,000 people.
Over the ‘Birthday Weekend’ on January 20-23 arts, heritage and sporting venues will open their doors and hold celebratory events.
January 23 The anniversary date of the charter being granted for Milton Keynes. Schools across the city will hold MK50 themed assemblies. A set of educational resources are being created for teachers to use throughout the year.
There will be a formal birthday event, which also kicks off a year-long sporting programme.
May 1 The Milton Keynes Marathon will take runners around key Milton Keynes landmarks – and runners will receive a special medal featuring the MK50 logo.
June 17-18 Heritage re-enactments will come to Campbell Park as part of a History Festival.
June 23-24 The whole city will Party Like It’s 1967 over the weekend, when residents are invited to plan their own parties. An events toolkit is being prepared to help with planning.
June 17-July 1 Milton Keynes will host the International New Town Conference bringing guests from across the world to our city.
July 15-16 Willen Hospice’s find-raising Midnight Moo will be a special golden themed Moo for 2017 walking the redways of MK.
In October two large-scale city centre productions are planned:
The Stables Theatre is producing an outdoor spectacle inspired by the concept of Future Cities, working with national live arts company Walk The Plank.
A collective of Milton Keynes artists are creating Home Sweet Home, a project where communities can get involved to create a performance and light piece.
MK Gallery is leading on City Club, which will present an ambitious programme of new art, performances, family activities, events and talks inspired by the original cultural plans for Milton Keynes, led by and delivered in partnership with the city’s arts and heritage organisations.
Milton Keynes City Orchestra will be bringing the best International soloists to MK as their contribution to the year-long celebration
There will be plenty of opportunities for residents and visitors to explore the best of Milton Keynes throughout 2017:
50 Walks for MK50, in partnership with The Parks Trust exploring urban and rural routes.
Building on the successful Free Things initiatives run by National Trust and Arts Council England, there will be 50 Free Things To Do in MK.
Sporting and active challenges will take place across the year, including opportunities to try new things and a 50 Week Active Challenge.
A writer in residence has created ten short stories about Central Milton Keynes’ public art and in January an audio trail app will launch for smartphones.
Organisations across Milton Keynes including businesses, schools, the MK Islamic Arts Heritage and Culture Group, The Parks Trust, Festive Road and many more are making plans to add to the list.
Milton Keynes Council, which is co-ordinating the MK50 celebrations, will deliver a souvenir guide will be delivered to every Milton Keynes home in January, giving more information about the year ahead and the highlights to look out for.
Cllr Liz Gifford, cabinet member for community facilities, said: “Milton Keynes Council is co-ordinating what is looking like being a fantastic year. We are seeing organisations and businesses across the city coming together to develop exciting events and activities to celebrate this major milestone for Milton Keynes.
“Events are being planned that will tell the story of the city over the last 50 years but will also look to the city’s future, with something for everyone.”
Visit www.MK50.co.uk/get-involved for details of how to get involved or e-mail culture@milton-keynes.gov.uk to register for a community event toolkit which explains how to set up a street party or similar event.
Grants are available that celebrate events in our parks, arranged by Milton Keynes Council, the Community Foundation and The Parks Trust.
For more information visit: https://www.mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk/funding-for-your-project. Groups can apply for micro grants (up to £200), small grants (up to £1,500) and community grants (up to £5,000).
The MK50 Project Board is made up of representatives from Milton Keynes Council, The Parks Trust, MKCCM, MK Gallery, Bletchley Park and leisure providers 1Life and Hertsmere Leisure.
