Glastonbury is preparing to stake its claim as the UK Town of Culture 2028, after councillors voted unanimously to submit an expression of interest by the end of March.

The new title, launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will award one town up to £3 million to stage a year‑long celebration of local arts, heritage and creativity. The council's decision came at its full meeting on Tuesday, where members described the bid as a chance to spotlight Glastonbury's "enormous cultural depth" and community pride.

A working group has already begun shaping the pitch, which must be submitted to government by Sunday, 31 March. Councillors confirmed the group has met twice and is now reaching out to local partners to build support.

Local identity at the heart of the bid

The Town of Culture programme follows the success of the UK City of Culture scheme, but opens the field to smaller places — including towns with fewer than 100,000 residents. It marks the first time that Glastonbury, known worldwide for its spiritual heritage and musical namesake, has been eligible to compete for national cultural funding on this scale.

Councillors spoke of the town's rich creative life, from grassroots theatre and storytelling groups to midsummer parades, heritage sites, and year-round community arts.

The aim, they said, is not just to celebrate Glastonbury's famous associations but to draw attention to the everyday creativity that defines life in the town — from workshops and choirs to craft makers, schools, and youth groups.

Community backing seen as essential

While the working group will prepare the formal expression of interest, councillors stressed that any full bid must be driven by wider community involvement. The vision being drafted is expected to include public workshops, educational tie-ins, and partnerships with local venues and cultural organisations.

The council will act as facilitator, but not sole driver, of the bid.

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The competition process includes a shortlisting round later this year. If Glastonbury is selected, it will be given £60,000 to develop a full programme plan, with finalists eligible for further funding — and one town awarded the headline £3 million prize for 2028 delivery.

What happens next

The council's working group will finalise the expression of interest in the coming weeks and bring a draft back to a future meeting for approval. Submission must take place by 31 March.

A shortlist is expected to be announced in summer 2026, with final decisions due next year.

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