Skegness Competes for Prestigious UK Town of Culture 2028 Award
Skegness is officially in the running to be named the UK Town of Culture in 2028. The Skegness Neighbourhood Board has announced it will submit an expression of interest in the inaugural government competition designed to celebrate and showcase the creative and cultural offerings of towns across the nation.
Competition Details and Prize Structure
The first-ever UK Town of Culture competition will select three finalists: one small, one medium, and one large town. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a substantial £3 million prize. Additionally, the two runners-up will each be awarded £250,000 to deliver key elements of their cultural bids.
Skegness's Proposed Cultural Programme
A detailed bid is currently being prepared for Skegness's entry. This proposal includes a comprehensive programme of joyful, vibrant, and varied activities aimed at providing engaging experiences for local residents throughout the entire year. The submission follows extensive consultation conducted by the Board in 2024 and 2025, which revealed a strong public appetite for events and festivals.
Public feedback emphasized a desire for more live music, theatre performances, shows, author talks, and film screenings. Residents also expressed a keen interest in protecting, celebrating, and enhancing the town's heritage, including through hosting special events in Skegness.
Ongoing Investment and Cultural Assets
The bid coincides with continued investment in Skegness's cultural and creative infrastructure. A notable example is the recent refurbishment of the Embassy Theatre, supported by government funding through the Connected Coast initiative. The Embassy Theatre also maintains a innovative partnership with the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, increasing access to Shakespeare and theatrical productions for the local community.
Skegness already hosts several popular annual events, such as So Festival, a free international festival of outdoor arts, and East Coast Pride, the town's free, family-friendly LGBTQIA+ celebration.
Statements from Local Leaders
Paul McCooey, Chair of the Skegness Neighbourhood Board, stated: "Skegness is renowned as a welcoming holiday resort, but what is less well-known is our creative and cultural scene. Now, the UK Town of Culture Competition gives us a fantastic chance to shine a light on our impressive offer. We have so much to enjoy right here, with spaces that bring people together, a strong heritage, iconic landmarks, and engaging events year-round. Our consultation shows clear enthusiasm for more arts and culture. This competition has the potential to build on our existing assets, attract further investment, and create even more cultural opportunities."
Councillor Graham Marsh, Deputy Leader of East Lindsey District Council, added: "Skegness is a thriving and diverse cultural area, and this bid is a brilliant opportunity to highlight that nationally. We consistently receive feedback about how much residents value arts, heritage, and year-round cultural activity. This competition allows us to build on that enthusiasm. Skegness is already benefiting from continued investment, and being named UK Town of Culture would further drive that momentum. As a council, we are proud to support this positive vision for the town's future."
Application Timeline
The deadline for Expressions of Interest for the UK Town of Culture 2028 is March 31, 2026. A shortlist of towns is expected to be announced later this spring. Further details about the competition and Skegness's bid are anticipated to be released in the coming months.
