Things to Do

Milton Keynes Museum invites you to share in all of the sights, sounds and sirens from one of our most challenging and defining decades this September, with the return of its popular 1940s weekend. Pack up your kit bag, and bring your family and friends together to enjoy a truly exceptional step back in time to the era dominated by World War II. Displays and re-enactors present all weekend will include The Oxfordshire Home Guard, which preserves and promotes the memory of those who volunteered to defend our shores during the conflict. They will be dressed up and ready to answer your questions, along with the Hertfordshire Home Guard. The RAF Bomber Command, GI 44-45, and the women of the American Red Cross will be colouring up the event, too. The Resistance worked across the channel, helping pilots and spies to escape the enemy – pay them a visit to..

This December will be the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Stantonbury Theatre, MK’s first purpose-built theatre. Since its inception, Stantonbury Theatre has endeavored to champion locally produced theatre and support local dance schools and youth theatres in producing the next generation of performers. Announcements will be made soon with our own celebratory events, but in the meantime, there will be plenty more to commemorate as we are hosting a great selection of comedy, children’s theatre and music along with the local theatre groups coming out in force with etcetera Theatre Company’s Steel Magnolias (13th Oct) and Company MK’s Sister Act (23rd-26th Oct) – Not to mention the anniversary concerts of Olney Brass Band’s 50th (28th Sept), MK Brass’ 40th (19th Oct), The Living Archive’s 40th (6th Oct) and the Wolverton Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s 50th (7th/8th Nov)! MK Theatre of Comedy revisit the quirky inhabitants of Dibley for the..

Lots of variety, funnies and music for you in this month’s selection of theatre choices, which comes by Royal appointment, with lots of conspiracy discussion and a deadly school visit. Pulse’s Sammy Jones explains more... If you want a show bursting with colour and filled with sensational songs, Hairspray (Sept 2-7) is this month’s choice at Milton Keynes Theatre. Just like the press bumf will tell you, it’s a big, bold and beautiful musical, just the same as the 80’s film which came first. Taking the reins as Edna Turnblad is Neil Hurst, who some of you will recognise from his time on the Corrie cobbles. Brenda Edwards was a smash hit in the show when she starred as Motormouth Maybelle, directed by Paul Kerryson. This time around the Loose Woman and stage star will be flexing her talent behind the curtain - sharing directing duties with Kerryson. Tracy Turnblad..

She has been a pop star and a soap star, but for her latest role, Kym Marsh – one time chart topper with Hear’Say and Rovers Return regular in Coronation Street – is channeling an altogether more unsavoury character; starring as Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians The Musical. This production, which visits Milton Keynes Theatre in October, comes with plenty of bark and bite, and Kym is relishing the challenge of playing the dog murdering fashionista. It’ll test her acting skills too: “Trying to get into the head of a person who wants to skin puppies to wear is especially alien to me because I’m such a huge dog lover!” she laughed, “I’ve got two of my own, and I adore them.” This being a musical, Kym is getting to flex her vocal chords once again, something that she’s not needed to do for quite some time. “If you..

Harry’s Rainbow has partnered with the children’s charity KidsOut to bring a unique, sports-themed fundraising event to Milton Keynes. Taking place at Stadium MK on 7 February 2025, the event will feature a ‘Question of Sport’-style competition, where teams will battle for top honours. Inspired by the popular BBC quiz show, the evening will include a black-tie dinner, drinks reception, and a three-course meal. Attendees can look forward to fully interactive quiz rounds, challenges, and games, including well-known features such as 'Mystery Guest' and 'What Happened Next?'. Each table will represent a football team, and participants will compete under their team’s name for a chance to win trophies and special prizes, encouraging friendly rivalry among the guests. Alongside the quiz, there will be additional games and auctions aimed at raising funds for the two charities. KidsOut supports vulnerable children, particularly those who have experienced domestic violence or abuse. The charity..

Camphill MK are pleased to announce their upcoming Handmade Craft & Food Fair on Saturday, 9th November 2024, at their Willen Park site. Supporting a vibrant community that provides a meaningful working life for adults with learning disabilities, they will open their doors to the wider community to celebrate craft, art, and food created by its talented residents and local makers and crafters. Hosted inside their expansive community theatre, Chrysalis Milton Keynes, Café and grounds, the mostly indoor event will showcase their artisan baked goods, preserves, traditional textiles and unique one-off art and craft items. It is the perfect opportunity to start festive shopping, eat locally, and meet new friends. Camphill MK has invited 30 hand-selected local crafters, makers & artisans to join them. Expect street food vendors, crafts, preserves, soaps, candles, textiles, upcycled wood, garden crafts, jewellery, festive gifts, and more. A selection of street food will also be available outside on the..

To celebrate the return of Willen on Ice, the popular festive leisure destination at Willen Lake has launched an exciting new schools’ competition this week. The concept is simple – children are invited to design a new ‘cool’ t-shirt for Willen Lake’s mascot, Wilbur. The cuddly character is getting ready for the return of the real ice-skating rink and wants to look the part this winter. This exciting opportunity gives children the chance to unleash their creativity and imagination and design a new look for Willen’s mascot. The prize is a FREE ice-skating experience for the winning design and their school class PLUS the design will be magically transformed into a t-shirt for the winner to present to Wilbur in person. “We're delighted to introduce our 2024 schools’ competition, offering young people the chance to play a role in this Willen on Ice season and win an incredible prize for..

Midsummer Place is proud to announce that last Saturday's Midsummer Market has set a new record as the largest market since its launch earlier this year, with over 28 stalls showcasing an array of independent products, gifts, and services. This milestone highlights the continued growth and success of the Midsummer Market initiative, which has become a premier platform for small businesses to promote their offerings to a wider audience. Held on the first Saturday of every month, the Midsummer Market provides a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs and independent creators to share their passion with the public. From handmade crafts to unique culinary treats, the market continues to attract a diverse range of traders and visitors alike. Since its inception, Midsummer Place has built a thriving portfolio of over 150 small businesses, which are invited each month to participate in the market. With each event offering a fresh mix of stalls,..

As we bid farewell to summer, there’s still plenty to enjoy out and about courtesy of The Parks Trust, the charity caring for MK’s parks. Across almost 50 different parks there’s so much to do, including free and low-cost events as well as the huge choice of free play areas, leisure routes, trim trails and world-class outdoor artworks! Woof Walk Wednesday 11 September 10am – Tattenhoe Valley Come and join us at Tattenhoe Valley for a fun and interesting Woof Walk. Woof Walks are suitable for all ages, tickets are limited and bookable in advance at £1 per dog. Heritage Open Days: An Introduction to Bancroft Roman Villa Wednesday 11 September, 4.30 and 6pm at Bancroft Park As part of Heritage Open Days programme we're inviting people to come along and learn a bit about the Bancroft Roman Villa and the surrounding area. There are two sessions to choose from: 4:30pm and 6pm and..

Willen Lake is calling on young creative talents to take part in an exciting competition as part of the return of its popular festive event, Willen on Ice. To celebrate the return of Willen on Ice, pupils are invited to design a fresh, “cool” t-shirt for Willen Lake’s beloved mascot, Wilbur, as he gears up for the reopening of the ice-skating rink. The winning design will be transformed into a custom t-shirt, which the winner will have the chance to present to Wilbur in person. This competition offers children an exciting opportunity to showcase their artistic flair, with the prize of a free ice-skating experience for the winner and their entire school class. “We’re thrilled to introduce the 2024 schools competition, allowing students to engage creatively and be part of this year’s Willen on Ice. It’s a chance for young people to win a memorable experience for both themselves and..

Santander UK has once again been named the headline sponsor for the Milton Keynes Pride Festival (MKPF), which will take place on 14 September. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Santander has backed the annual event. To demonstrate its ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community, Santander will light up its UK headquarters at Unity Place in Milton Keynes for two weeks leading up to the festival. The Milton Keynes Pride Festival seeks to promote visibility, social cohesion, and equality for the LGBTQ+ community in the local area. As the festival celebrates its fifth anniversary, organisers are expecting around 20,000 attendees, a significant increase in footfall as the event continues to grow. MK Pride is free to attend, relying entirely on sponsorship and donations to fund the festivities. Any profits from the event are distributed among local LGBTQ+ charities. Damien Shieber, Head of Culture at Santander UK, said: “We are..

Following its tremendous success earlier this year, the Milton Keynes Brick Festival is set to return on Sunday, 15th September, promising to be the most exciting celebration yet for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages. The event invites families, collectors, and adult builders to immerse themselves in a world of creativity and fun. Whether you're a seasoned LEGO aficionado or a casual fan, the festival offers something for everyone. What to Expect: The Milton Keynes Brick Festival will feature a range of engaging activities, including: Speed building competitions Mosaic-making sessions Minifigure hunts A dedicated building area for all ages For those looking to expand their collections, the festival's marketplace will offer a wide selection of loose bricks, rare and retired LEGO sets, minifigures, accessories, and more. In addition to hands-on activities, attendees will have the opportunity to explore unique LEGO displays created by master builders from across the UK. Visitors can..

Xscape Milton Keynes will host the ‘Tree of Pride’ this weekend, as part of the city’s Pride Festival on 14-15 September. Visitors are invited to contribute to the installation by decorating it with personal pledges towards a more inclusive and compassionate future. The community art installation, which has already made appearances at Xscape Yorkshire, has been gathering messages of love, unity and acceptance on its tour around the country. Its final destination will be at Xscape Milton Keynes, coinciding with the city’s annual Pride Festival – a celebration of visibility, equality and the LGBTQ+ community in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. Visitors are encouraged to either select a pre-suggested pledge or leave their own meaningful message, such as a dedication to a loved one, reflecting a spirit of inclusivity and positivity. The Tree of Pride will be on display at Xscape Milton Keynes from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, and..

To help improve habitats for bees, butterflies and local wildlife, The Parks Trust have been busy collecting wildflower seeds. This summer, the charity caring for your parks has been trialling a new seed harvesting machine across Milton Keynes’ green spaces. This new piece of equipment connects to a tractor and makes it easier to collect wildflower seed from rich meadows, such as Stonepit Field in Great Linford. The cut hay is sorted with the help of their dedicated conservation volunteers who sieve the seed to separate from the chaff before being spread across parks across the city. Lewis Dickinson, Senior Biodiversity Officer at The Parks Trust says: "Having a machine like this will be a fantastic tool to enriching the biodiversity of our grasslands across the city. Taking seed from rich meadows and spreading it at sites we want to improve will provide more wildflowers on these sites for pollinators..

Everyone loves a freebie, and Heritage Open Days has 100's of opportunities to get out and enjoy a wealth of family events, between September 6th and September 15th. The oft used line ‘something for all’ really stands true with this nationwide initiative. Pulse’s Sammy Jones has dug deep to bring you some of the choice cuts from Northamptonshire. Heritage Open Days Return with 10 Days of Free Fun in Milton Keynes From September 6 to September 15, Heritage Open Days will feature a variety of free events in Milton Keynes. Here are some of the must-see activities: Friday, September 6 Milton Keynes Central Library Exhibitions: Discover a range of exhibitions, including "Ukraine From Past to Future," "Hidden Stories: The Indian Chapter," and "An Ancient Village at the Heart of a New Town," showcasing local history, arts, and crafts. Open until September 14 (except Sept 8). Tour of Unity Place: Explore..