What is the UK City of Culture?

UK City of Culture is a competition run by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) every four years. Previous winners are Derry/Londonderry in 2013 and Hull in 2017 and Coventry in 2021.

Each successful city has experienced a major boost in tourism, as people travelled to visit a wide and inclusive series of arts, cultural and sporting events that were developed as part of their winning bids. Cities also benefited from an increase in investors opening new businesses and more opportunities to support the local community, not just for the year but with a legacy of culture being in the spotlight.

We know that culture makes a vital contribution to our lives and where we live. But it can also provide a powerful stimulus to recovery and renewal. Culture is a catalyst for attracting investment and new and returning tourists, bringing people together, and defining and reaffirming a sense of place and local pride. In short, culture is a vital tool in this government’s central mission: to unite and level up the country. Those opportunities for the bidders and winner of UK City of Culture 2025 are more important than ever as we build back better from the pandemic.

Find out more about Culture Derby 2025