Upfest
Upfest, a street art festival, takes place across Bristol annually
Bristol could secure £10m to boost its arts scene if its bid for UK City of Culture 2029 succeeds.
City councillors will decide whether to submit an expression of interest in the title on 20 January and if approved, Bristol will join other cities hoping to be shortlisted.
Bristol City Council said its bid would focus on using culture to tackle inequality and “create lasting change”.
Organised by the government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the national title runs every four years, with the successful bidder hosting cultural festivities throughout one year.
“While we take pride in our city’s [cultural] offer not everyone has equal access to cultural experiences,” said Philip Walker, head of culture at Bristol City Council.
“Barriers such as cost, location, and representation mean some communities feel disconnected from Bristol’s cultural offer – a bid for UK City of Culture would aim to change that.”
“By building from the ground up, our bid would seek to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or postcode, can experience and benefit from Bristol’s vibrant cultural life,” Walker added.
St Pauls Carnival is an annual celebration in the city
Long-listed cities will receive £60,000 to support the development of their bids, with the overall winner receiving £10m in prize funding.
Bradford won the title in 2025.
The council said the money would go towards community-led projects, local artists and neighbourhood initiatives.
Bristol has built a reputation as one of the most vibrant cultural cities in the UK, hosting events like the Balloon Fiesta and St Pauls Carnival. It is also home to Upfest, said to be Europe’s largest street art festival.
‘Lasting legacy’
Dr Anna Rutherford, co-chair of One City Culture Board said the bid would not only grow the arts sector, it would “attract visitors” and “leave a lasting legacy of stronger communities, skills and civic pride”.
“Underpinned by our shared values of social, racial and environmental justice, the bid will build a playbook for unity, boldly celebrating the diversity that binds us,” said Rutherford.