Things to Do

The Stables in Milton Keynes has announced details of an exciting new music week for young people taking place this summer. Running from 11-15 August, The Stables Music Week will offer five days of intensive, fun and creative music making at the popular arts venue, where young musicians can come together to share their love of music, play with other young people and be part of an exciting group exploring different kinds of music – everything from classical to jazz, from rock and pop to folk, as well as trying out new instruments and musical styles. They’ll also have the opportunity to make new connections with other young musicians and build their confidence, teamwork and communication skills. The week will culminate in an end-of-course concert in front of family and friends. The Music Week is for any young musician, aged 11-18, who plays an instrument. There is no minimum grade..

The daffodils are out, we’ve been enjoying some early spring sunshine, and there are lots of events happening across the city’s green spaces to well and truly get you in the mood for spring. The first Parks and Ride event is taking place on Sunday 30th March at Campbell Park. Part of the Mayor’s Cycling Festival 2025, this is a family-friendly activity which promises to be lots of fun! Best of all, it’s free with no booking required – just turn up with your bike and enjoy the ride. Also happening in Campbell Park is a short, guided walk on Thursday 10th April, as part of The Parks Trust’s Inclusive Strolls series. Suitable for all ages and with accessible routes and facilities offered, this wonderful stroll highlights the hidden gems of the city’s green spaces. Easter takes centre stage across the city’s parks throughout April, with an Easter Trail at..

Lane7, the UK's premier boutique bowling and entertainment brand, has officially opened its most ambitious venue to date in Milton Keynes. The grand opening ceremony was officiated by the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Marie Bradburn, who had the honour of bowling the inaugural ball down the lanes. Located in the former basement of Debenhams within the shopping centre, this state-of-the-art entertainment playground offers an unparalleled array of activities. Guests can enjoy 14 cutting-edge bowling lanes—some of which celebrate strikes with smoke effects—alongside a roller skating rink, golf simulators, bumper cars, karaoke rooms, darts, shuffleboard, pool tables, arcades, beer pong, and ping pong. The venue also introduces 'Playground,' an interactive gaming zone, and 'The Red Room,' a private space equipped with exclusive bowling lanes, ping pong tables, and dartboards, ideal for private events and functions. Simon Martin, General Manager at Midsummer Place, expressed his enthusiasm for the new addition, stating:..

Ride High, a Milton Keynes-based charity transforming the lives of vulnerable children, is thrilled to announce that MK Pulse is an official media partner for their Ride MK Cycling Festival, fundraising event taking place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Furzton Lake. This exciting event invites cyclists of all ages and abilities to explore Milton Keynes’ and beyond on scenic redways and road routes, while raising vital funds to support local children. Participants can choose from four routes: 100 Mile Road Route 50 Mile Road Route 20 Mile Red Route (MK redways only) sponsored by Santander Cycles MK 1.6 Mile Ready Set Go Route (for children), sponsored by Brioche Pasquier UK There’s something for all ages, experiences and abilities – you can cycle on your own, in a group or even join a guided group. The festival promises a fun-filled day for the whole family, with a lively atmosphere at..

Mandy Legg, a well-known mental health impact speaker and former Mayoress of Milton Keynes, is set to launch her highly anticipated book and powerful talk titled, “Hold Onto Yourself”, on 25th March at South Central Institute of Technology Hub. The event promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking experience, offering insights into Mandy Leggs journey of rebuilding a successful life and career after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. “This book is about hope, healing, and finding a way forward when life feels impossible,” said Mandy Legg. “I wanted to share my story to show that life and a career after severe mental illness are not only possible but can be filled with purpose and joy.” The launch event will feature a fireside chat with special guests, Ife Thomas and Debbie Lewis, a book signing, and an opportunity for attendees to connect and share their own stories. The event is free, but spaces are limited. Book..

The Parks Trust and Milton Keynes City Council are proud to launch the 2025 litter poster competition. Below are more details about the competition and how to enter. The Litter Poster Challenge: Your mission is to create a poster that can be the face of The Parks Trust’s anti-litter campaign for 2025. Your design needs to encourage people to stop littering across Milton Keynes. Littering increased last year, polluting our local environment, harming wildlife and damaging our planet. The winning poster will be displayed in the parks, in local parish council facilities and on social media. Milton Keynes City Council’s Environment and Waste team and The Parks Trust are teaming up to launch this competition for all MK Primary Schools to enter. Winners will receive a set of 10 litter pickers for their school, and a free Outdoor Learning session with The Parks Trust if your school can accommodate it. The winning artist will..

Willen Lake announces the return of Flavour Fest, packed with tasty street food and family fun, taking place on Saturday 12 April and Sunday 13 April. This season’s festival of food promises even more to enjoy, with the introduction of market stalls alongside the popular street food offerings, live entertainment, face painting, and an egg-stremely egg-citing Easter Trail . This free-to-attend food festival is set to deliver a fantastic weekend filled with delicious food, great music, and family-friendly fun. Food lovers can indulge in a variety of street food options, with returning vendors from last year including The Rub, Lime Face, La Pitta and Urban Spice Box. Guests can also enjoy stone-baked pizzas and an outdoor bar from the Willen Lake Café, who will have a stall in the square of the festival. New for this year, the festival will feature a market area, showcasing local artisan crafts and produce,..

The Parks Trust has a few spaces remaining on its very popular Youth Explorers Workshop, happening in April. Particularly catered towards 11-14 year-olds who have a passion for wildlife, this 5-week immersive course helps participants get closer to nature in Milton Keynes. Taking place at Howe Park Wood, one of the city’s most important and biodiverse green spaces, attendees can expect to gain practical experience in studying and identifying wildlife as well as learning some exciting and useful “bushcraft” skills. In addition, those signing up to the course in April will also get to take part in activities such as wildlife identification, moth ID, survival skills and a conservation task*. Head to theparkstrust.com/youthexplorers-apr25 to secure one of the final spaces. Not only will participants make lots of amazing memories, they will also receive a certificate upon completion as well as being able to take home anything they make as part of the..

Milton Keynes is counting down to the highly anticipated launch of "MK Umbrella Project," the largest neurodiversity art installation in the UK. This inspiring event will take place on Saturday, 15 March at Midsummer Place, transforming The Boulevard into a stunning display of nearly 400 vibrant umbrellas suspended overhead. A Celebration of Neurodiversity The launch event promises a full day of activities, performances, and talks, designed to celebrate, educate, and advocate for neurodiversity. The installation is a striking visual representation of the many ways people think, learn, and interact with the world. "MK Umbrella Project is more than just an installation; it's a movement. It signifies Milton Keynes' commitment to fostering a more inclusive and accepting society," said Jane Lambert, Project Manager and CEO of Makewell Clinic. "We invite the entire community to experience this incredible display, take part in the activities, and learn more about the neurodivergent community." Simon..

The MK Festival of Running is set take over the streets of Milton Keynes on Sunday 16th March, with runners of all abilities converging for a day of fitness, community and celebration. To help participants prepare for their 5k, 10k, half-marathon or 20-mile run and support their fitness journey, Nuffield Health at Xscape Milton Keynes is offering all registered runners a complimentary one-week pass to their gym in March. The pass allows runners the opportunity to ramp up their training before the event or enjoy ultimate relaxation and recovery in the spa afterwards. Participants will have access to its fully stocked centre including treadmills, machine and free weights, a hybrid HiiT area and a variety of fitness classes (only bookable on the day of visit if space available) and rejuvenating spa facilities including a swimming pool, sauna and steam room. To redeem the pass, runners can easily submit their details via..

Leading wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation, has revealed the dates of this year’s highly anticipated Big Butterfly Count, which will take place from 18 July - 10 August. The annual citizen science programme, which is now in its 16th year, attracts tens of thousands of people out into their gardens, local green spaces or the countryside to spend 15 minutes counting butterflies and helping to track trends and inform conservation action. After declining numbers of butterflies resulted in the charity declaring a nationwide Butterfly Emergency last year, it’s more important than ever that people take part in 2025. Last summer’s Big Butterfly Count results were alarming. Overall, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per 15-minute Count in 2024, a reduction of almost 50% on 2023’s average of 12, and the lowest in the history of the Big Butterfly Count. It was also the worst summer in the Count’s history for a..

Unity Place proudly celebrates International Women’s Day by highlighting four women who exemplify resilience, leadership, and innovation in their respective fields. These stories reflect this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, showcasing the impact of passion and determination in breaking barriers. Dipna Anand: Culinary Heritage and Innovation Dipna Anand is the award-winning celebrity chef behind her eponymous restaurant Dipna Anand Kitchen & Bar at Unity Place. Born into a family of chefs and restaurateurs, her passion for hospitality led her to pursue a degree in Catering and Hospitality. Dipna emphasises the importance of financial literacy in building a rewarding career and acknowledges challenges in the industry. Motivated by her parents' support, she advises aspiring professionals to work from the heart, maintain humility, and embrace the rewarding nature of the hospitality sector. Jessica Memon: Amplifying Voices in the Media Industry Jessica Memon, CEO & Founder of Asian Community Radio, operates from co working space..

Woburn Safari Park Celebrates the Return of the Beloved Bush Dog Species! After the loss of Scrappy Dappy Doo and Dante last year, the park is ready to welcome two new arrivals. The new female and male bush dogs arrived from France making this an exciting milestone as it is Woburn’s first international move in five years. The pair arrived from different parts of France - the female from Thoiry and the male from Amiens – which means they are yet to meet! Keepers are carefully introducing them through a step-by-step process, starting with a secure mesh barrier to help them get familiar with each other’s scent. They will also take turns exploring the outdoor enclosure before progressing to full contact, ensuring a smooth and positive introduction. Catherine Doherty, Head of Section, Animal Encounters said “We are so excited to welcome back this iconic species into the Foot Safari here..

Ride High, the Milton Keynes-based charity supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children, has announced an exciting new partnership with Santander Cycles MK for the Ride MK Cycling Festival on Sunday, 29 June 2025. The collaboration will allow participants to ride Santander Cycles MK’s e-bikes for free on the 20-mile Red Route, making the event more accessible to cyclists of all abilities. Set against the backdrop of Milton Keynes’ parkland, redways and canal paths, the Ride MK Cycling Festival is a celebration of cycling, fitness and fundraising in support of local children. Participants can choose from four routes: a 100-mile road route, a 50-mile road route, a 20-mile red route sponsored by Santander Cycles MK and a 1.6-mile Ready Set Go route for children, sponsored by Brioche Pasquier UK. Thanks to the new partnership, those tackling the 20-mile route can apply for a free e-bike, ensuring that more people—whether experienced cyclists or..

The Henry Allen Trust has launched its 11th annual Easter Egg Appeal, calling on the local community to help bring joy to children battling cancer this Easter. The Milton Keynes-based charity, founded in memory of Henry Allen, is once again seeking donations of Cadbury Creme Eggs, Easter eggs, Easter confectionery, brand new Easter bunny cuddly toys, Easter games and arts and crafts to create special hospital toy packs for young patients. Businesses, schools, supermarkets, clubs and individuals are encouraged to get involved by collecting donations or signing up as collection points. Those wishing to support the initiative can also purchase items via The Henry Allen Trust’s Amazon Wish List. Full details can be found at www.thehenryallentrust.org.uk. Dawn and Mark Allen, who founded the charity in honour of their son Henry, are urging the community to help spread ‘Henry’s Happiness’ by ensuring children and their families receive a much-needed boost this..