Things to Do

Are you searching for the perfect way to keep the kids entertained during the Easter holiday? Look no further! We’ve got you covered with everything from Easter egg hunts, game days, events from The Parks Trust, and lots more. Milton Keynes Museum The hunt will soon be on at Milton Keynes Museum (March 29-April 1) with the return of its annual Easter egg hunt, where successful searches lead to yummy chocolate rewards! The popular search is an egg-cellent way to celebrate the festive period, and this hunt ensures everyone wins something. And while you search for those egg tokens, you get a wonderful tour of the history hub, too. Elsewhere, do a spot of window shopping in the Street of Shops, take a seat for a Victorian school lesson, and discover parlour games – the entertainment of choice in an era long before the small screen and smart phones ruled..

Following record-breaking runs on Broadway and in the West End, as well as on a US tour and in cities around the world, Pretty Woman is now on the road in the UK – and will be at Milton Keynes Theatre this March. According to his wife Barbara and daughter Kathleen, director of the film and co-writer of the musical Garry Marshall would have been thrilled to learn of its ongoing success. He passed away in 2016 after working on the production with the movie’s writer J. F. Lawton for many years and dreaming that it might open in New York some day. “Had someone told him it would be such a hit around the world he wouldn’t have believed it,” Barbara said, “Not only did it make it to Broadway, it’s bringing joy to so many people in so many other places.” Kathleen agreed: “As well as being a..

A feel-good month of upbeat musicals and comedy awaits on our local stages – just what the doctor ordered to banish any dull moods. Pulse’s Sammy Jones talks you through what’s on, where... Shrek the Musical is the perfect pick-me-up for this dreary time of year, and it’s a show the whole family will be wowed by. Join Shrek – the most famous green star of stage and screen since Kermit – and his trusty sidekick Donkey as they set out on a quest to defeat the fearsome dragon and rescue Princess Fiona, in the hugely popular tale. Antony Lawrence has previously brought the goods to leading roles in The Lion King, We Will Rock You and Matilda the Musical, and now he’s Shrek, while Strictly star Joanne Clifton (now a seasoned stage star herself) is Princess Fiona. We asked Donkey why people should take in a performance and he..

Looking for somewhere in central Milton Keynes where you can grab a quick coffee, enjoy a lazy lunch with friends, throw a birthday party or simply catch up with your mates? The time is right to check out the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes – Central, which is just a short walk from the railway station. While out-of-towners and event organisers have already discovered just what is on offer at the 173-bedroom hotel there are many more ‘locals’ missing out on the venue’s facilities. There is no need to check in to one of the hotel’s 173 bedrooms. This is a hotel with an open-door policy to casual visitors or those looking to plan an event from a christening, family party or funeral wake. The Open Lobby, serving Starbucks, is open all day and through to the evening for visitors who may just want a coffee, or a meal chosen from..

Other meaty moments to savour at The Craufurd Arms this month include Pearl Handled Revolver (March 9) who play a double headliner with Emerald Dawn. PHR fans are in for a treat too, with the band ready to reveal tracks set to feature on their sixth album, which is in production just now. As the band succinctly says of its own path so far, ‘it charts a journey from the limits of primal blues, via unlikely liaisons between cult film scores and bare bones stoner rock, to blackened psychedelic soul music.’ With lots upcoming for the locals, you need to add pearlhandledrevolver.co.uk to your bookmarks and keep checking in for news on that upcoming release and future shows. The Emerald Down will bring lots to the live party at the Craufurd too – the multi-instrumentalist, symphonic progressive rock quartet combine elements from classical music, jazz and rock, delivering a decidedly..

Hop down to Willen Lake during the school break for the launch of the new season and return of the free Easter trail. The popular free trail aimed at primary school children returns this spring, featuring colourful eggs with Easter-themed questions to answer. Look out for some egg-cellent jokes along the way, then return to the Watersports Centre for a treat! The trail will be available between 10am – 4pm every day during the Easter break from 29th March – 14th April. It follows a short route less than 2km on buggy, scooter and bike friendly paths. Also returning this April is the action-packed watersports programme. The first Activity Weeks of the year will take place over Easter, offering kids aged 8-15 a fun week of watersports whilst they work towards a qualification in either Sailing or Paddlesports. Beginner-friendly Discover sessions are also back, offering tasters in a variety of..

Unity Place will be holding an All in Unity Place celebration evening tonight, Wednesday 13th March. The event is FREE for the public to attend and will include a whole evening of celebrations! Expect to see: Live painting from PopCult! - Exhibition artist Food and drink sampling from Dipna Anand Kitchen, Toast Brewing and our food market vendors. Cocktails in the market from Unity Sky Lounge. First Urban Food Market after hours in 2024. The first 100 visitors get a complimentary drink on arrival....plus some musical surprises during the night! The event will run from 5pm-8pm. Find out more about Unity Place here.

A brand-new series of family cycling events are set to uncover the sights and sounds of Milton Keynes’ many parks, the perfect way to swap screens for scenes of the great outdoors. Parks & Ride events are the newest addition to the hundreds of parkland events and activities hosted by The Parks Trust, the charity caring for Milton Keynes’ parks, woodlands and lakes. Pedalling at a steady pace along a mixture of leisure routes and Redways, Parks & Ride events are a guided tour on two wheels – about an hour, with no road riding or substantial hills. Debuting in Campbell Park on Sunday 24th March, the first ride will tour sculptures in the park, wildlife on the Grand Union Canal, the incredible Tree Cathedral, and all the fun facilities at Willen Lake. Through the rest of this year, Parks & Ride events will take place at Waterhall Park in..

The hunt will soon be on at Milton Keynes Museum with the return of its annual Easter egg hunt, where successful searches lead to yummy chocolate rewards! The popular search is an egg-cellent way to celebrate the festive period, and this hunt ensures everyone wins something. And while you search for those egg tokens, you get a wonderful tour of the history hub. This traditional family friendly event - running March 29 - April 1 - is the perfect way to spend some free time, whether you are a fluffy chick, or an older bunny! “Let's be honest, no matter how old we are, we are never too old for a bit of fun, and our egg hunt is definitely that,” said Museum director Bill Griffiths, “Watching family members and friend groups united in the search is great, and everyone enjoys collecting their treats at the end!” As you 'scramble' around the..

Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) filled the pop charts with gargantuan tunes and soundtracked a generation with era-defining songs from Kylie, Rick Astley, Jason Donovan and a whole heap of others. Now that music is making its way to theatre stages with the world premiere of the SAW musical, I Should Be So Lucky. The upbeat delivery will bring some colourful cheer to the stage in Milton Keynes in early March. The worlds of theatre and music share many of the same disciplines, but it’s not necessarily an easy transition, as Pete Waterman found out. “This is a very different genre for us – musical theatre – it’s hard work, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life,” Pete told us, “My admiration for the cast is unbelievable. The hours they work and the detail they put in. “The last thing you want is the writers of the..

It’s bonkers to think that this year is the 20th anniversary of the closure of The Sanctuary, but a whopping reunion is planned for November 2 and ready to raise the roof at the Marshall Arena, writes Sammy Jones. The venue originally opened its doors back in 1991 and was the birthplace of the legendary Dreamscape raves. It became a hub for ravers who flocked to the new town from around the country to enjoy mammoth 12 hour sessions of sounds. Despite its warehouse persona The Sanctuary was a palace for ravers and shaped the electronic scene before it was razed to make way for the MK Dons stadium. The curtain came down on the venue on July 10, 2004 with a momentous last visit by Slammin Vinyl. Grant Smith, Slammin Vinyl director recalled the venue in the pages of Milton Keynes - Wired For Sound: “It wasn’t a corporate..

Paulerspury Players have kicked off their 34th annual Pantomime “Robin Hood” in Paulerspury Village Hall, Towcester, NN12 7NA from Wednesday 21st February 2024 to Saturday 24th February 2024. Robin Hood is a traditional pantomime full of songs, jokes, slapstick and the odd inflatable palm tree. Robin, our hero and his friends Lady Marian, Dame Freya Tuck and Will and Scarlett are just some of the characters you will meet in this comic adventure. The story is one that everyone knows but with a some twists and turns along the way.  You can join in the fun and boo the Sheriff, King John and Hilda, and our baddie trio. But is panto just for kids… oh no it isn’t, panto is for everyone! There is something for all ages, an enjoyable evening of fun is guaranteed and not to be missed. Tickets are available by visiting paulerspuryplayers.com or by calling the..

As half term has approached, centre:mk have geared up for a week of family fun; offering visitors a whole host of entertainment and experiences to keep the kids occupied come rain or shine. Family Fair in Middleton Hall: 17th – 25th February Roll up to the Family Fair, enjoy traditional rides and games including tea cups and hook ‘a’ duck, have a bounce on the bungee trampolines, watch balloon modelling, enjoy the magic show and get your face painted. There’s something for all the family to enjoy. (Activities vary daily). Circus Skills Workshop, Middleton Hall: Monday 19th – Friday 23rd February. 12pm-2pm. Brush up on your hula hoop, or learn to juggle with a clown.. these free circus skills sessions run by the performing arts specialists from Black Sheep Collective are bound to entertain kids and grown-ups alike. Kids Club, Outside M&S: Saturday 24th February. 11am-4pm With a Mother’s Day..

The magnificent Meryl Streek (Feb 24) was last at The Craufurd Arms a year or so ago, with an angry, articulate and awesome show, and it was clear from the intensity and quality of the material that the politically-outspoken avant garde punk chap was going to be a highlight of the year, even at that early stage. And so it proved to be. We came away that night clutching a vinyl copy of his superb debut album 796 which is as brilliant and real as it is challenging. The pr blurb calls it ‘an emotionally volatile and heart-wrenching collection of cutting edge punk that pushes genre boundaries while traversing extremely challenging political subject matter with aplomb and vitriol,’ and frankly, we can’t better that. Since his last visit to the new city, Meryl has been making friends and influencing people quicker than lies drop from politicians’ mouths. Exactly. He’s had..

If you need free and low-cost ways to keep the kids entertained in half-term, look no further than the city’s beautiful parkland. The Parks Trust, the self-financing charity that looks after more than 6,000 acres of parkland in Milton Keynes, has lots of family fun planned, including: FREE Howe Park Wood Open Mornings: Animals In Winter 20 – 22 February, 9:30am-12:30pm Learn all about the natural world and Animals in Winter by exploring nests, skulls, feathers and more that have been collected from local parks. There are also nature-themed challenges, self-guided trails and friendly volunteers to help you get the most from your visit. Howe Park Wood provides a safe home to many endangered animal and plant species and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wildlife value by Natural England. Open Mornings are completely free for everyone, simply drop-in anytime. Toddle Tots at Howe Park..