Things to Do

School is out, but there is no need for parents to worry about how to keep youngsters entertained this half term; Milton Keynes Museum is coming to the rescue! The museum is the perfect place to visit this February, as the new city's living history hub will be offering good stuff for all during the lesson lull. Extraordinary science experiments will wow eager minds, with the emphasis placed firmly on the fun factor, and there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved, with shows happening hourly every day. There will be children's crafts to get stuck into as well, and the weather won't stop play, with the museum hosting all its activities inside. Half term week at the museum (running February 12-16) boasts something for everyone. From sending morse code, to making and then enjoying hot buttered toast over the range in the traditional farmhouse kitchen.  Or how about..

This time last year Milton Keynes was gearing up for a 12 month celebration of Milton Keynes’ 50th birthday – and it’s not over yet. In 2017 communities across MK came together for local events, discovered the beginnings of the ‘New Town’ through exhibitions, cycle, ran and walked through the summer months, MK was honoured by a visit from HRH The Duke of Cambridge, and we danced to music in the rain at Feast of Fire. Following the success of the birthday weekend last year, Living Archive MK have been busy organising another fantastic weekend of events, exhibitions, and open days for MK51 – MK’s official 51st birthday!  It may not have the same ring to it as MK50, but the 20 -23 January promises to be a weekend (plus Monday, Tuesday) of fun and discovery.  Bring the kids along for a Festive Road Open Day, learn about historic New..

Milton Keynes is full of inspirational people who’ve significantly contributed to their communities, given up their time to help others or had significant achievements (locally or nationally) in public life - but did you know that they can be nominated for a National Honour? At the 2018 New Year’s Honours, 1,123 people were named on the main honours list, 70% of whom were recognised for work in local communities. Honours are awarded twice a year; on the Queen’s Birthday in June and at New Year. They recognise people from all walks of life who’ve demonstrated outstanding service to their community or field of work. So if you know someone whose hard work deserves recognition, then why not nominate them? There are five different awards, British Empire Medal (BEM), Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Office of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Commander of the Order..

Year round, Green Dragon celebrates the animals in its care from the rare breeds farm animals to those in Pets’ Corner.Over February Half-term there will be a special 'Love Your Pets' theme. The skilled and experienced livestock staff will be hosting a variety of educational and fun experiences including Q & A sessions and pet care workshops and encounters. A special holiday programme of encounters will provide fun, engaging, informative interaction with all the pets, including the farm animals, to inspire visitors. Last year, exotic pets were introduced to the collection that make more ‘out of the ordinary’ pets – snakes, stick-insects, lizards, tarantulas, scorpions, cockroaches and poison-dart frogs! Owls and chicken also make unusual but interesting pets – Go along and find out more about them and their care! Farm admission applies: Adult £8, Child £7. For more details, please contact events@greendragonecofarm.co.uk or ring 01296 670444.

Willen Hospice is calling on local ladies to put their best foot forward for this year’s MK Midnight Moo, taking place on 14 July 2018. The ladies only 10 mile walk starts and finishes at intu Milton Keynes at midnight and is open to walkers of all levels, whether they walk in pairs, teams, or on their own. The charity launched its flagship fundraiser this week, along with supporters including lead sponsor Specsavers Milton Keynes - Centre. Willen Hospice Chief Executive Peta Wilkinson said: “I am so excited to be launching this year’s MK Midnight Moo! It’s a really popular event in our fundraising calendar with many women returning year on year to raise exceptional amounts to support the specialist end of life care provided by Willen Hospice. “This will be my first Moo and I am appealing to anyone who has maybe thought of taking part before but hasn’t,..

Shoppers at intu Milton Keynes will be ‘well chuffed’ to learn that the hugely popular Christmas Express train will be staying in the shopping centre, until at least the summer.  Launched at the start of the festive period, the little locomotive has taken over 4,000 children and parents around intu Milton Keynes on a magical journey down the boulevard, past the ‘frog clock’, around Oak Court and back again. Now, due to popular demand, the centre management are delighted to announce that the train, now called the intu MK Express’ will continue offering its service until at least the summer.  Kirsty McGiff, marketing manager at intu Milton Keynes said: “This was the first year we introduced the train and the response has been phenomenal, even the video on social media has had nearly half a million views.  We’re delighted to be able to continue running this great service for our..

The Parks Trust, the self-financing charity that manages and maintains over 6,000 acres of green space across Milton Keynes, is getting ready for one of the highlights of the city’s festive calendar – the annual Christmas carols celebration. This year, Carols will be held at the MK Rose, located in Campbell Park. The event starts at 3pm on Sunday 17th December 2017. Bedfordshire singer Louise Sian will open the show and the carol singing will be accompanied by MK Youth Brass from Community Learning MK: Music Faculty. All are welcome to the Carols at MK Rose event, which is free to attend. Willen Hospice will be selling refreshments and running a raffle, with all proceeds going to the hospice. Julie Dawes, Events & Community Engagement Manager at The Parks Trust said: “We can’t wait for our carols event – it’s a hugely popular Milton Keynes tradition and it wouldn’t feel..

Around 350 donation appointments in Milton Keynes remain un-booked for December* Help to fill the stocking this year – make and keep a date to donate People in Milton Keynes are being urged to give blood this December to ensure hospitals can continue to treat patients over the festive season.  NHS Blood and Transplant is asking donors in the city to book an appointment to donate before Christmas if they haven’t already done so and to keep their appointment if they have already made one. Donors who need to cancel their appointment are being asked to give at least three days’ notice so the slot can be opened up to someone else. Demand for lifesaving blood doesn’t stop for Christmas. Many children and adults will need transfusions over the festive period as a treatment for a blood condition or cancer, or due to surgery, childbirth or an accident. Two-year-old Henry..

The Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards (MKBAA), presented by Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership (MKBLP) and in association with Interdirect and Evolution, has seen a record number of entries for 2018.  New judges Ben Turner, Ian Revell, Dr Josie Fraser and Ben McDonald will join veteran judges Sir John Southby Bt, Jon Corbett and returning judge Carole Mills, as they take on the huge task of picking the best entries for the final. The panel is an impressive cross section of MK organisations.  Following the success of last year’s two stage entry process, we have further streamlined entries for 2018. The first stage closed on 16 November 2017, with the second stage commencing immediately after, with shortlisted candidates to be advised in February.  There are 12 categories at the 2018 awards, including the arrival of Best Use of Social Media (to be agreed by the audience on the evening), Business..

The countdown to Christmas has officially begun at Woburn Sands because Santa’s grotto is now open! But the festivities don’t stop there because their real ice rink launches next week, on Saturday 25 November! This year, the real ice rink is bigger and better, and it is open seven days a week until Sunday 7 January! Plus, it is situated under an all-weather canopy, so customers can skate come rain or shine. Each skating session lasts 45 minutes and starts on the hour however it is recommended that all customers arrive 15 minutes before to get skates fitted. With push along seals for hire, a viewing area, the ice café serving hot food and drink and free parking it is the ultimate family activity this Christmas. Prices start from £6.50 per person on selected dates in November and early December. Pre- booking is recommended to avoid disappointment and full payment..

Shoppers are being invited to help support homeless people in Milton Keynes this Christmas. Back for a second year, the intu Milton Keynes Giving Tree will return to the centre from Friday 1 December to help bring help to the homeless this Christmas. After a successful first year in 2016 with the Milton Keynes Hospital Charity, this year, the centre is supporting several local charities who offer support to the homeless people of Milton Keynes. With a record number of homeless people and families in Milton Keynes, the charities who will be supported by the Giving Tree this year include The Bus Shelter MK, Open Door, Winter Nights Shelter MK and Help our Homeless MK. All four organisations are dedicated to helping fight the need to sleep rough in Milton Keynes and each do this by offering services such as overnight shelter, hot meals and guidance. Pam Williams from The..

Xscape MK is spreading the festive cheer far and wide this year as Santa will arrive in his grotto on Saturday 9th December and you can visit him for FREE right up until Christmas Eve.  The big man will be in his grotto, located in the main mall, every day between 11am and 5pm ready to discover what children want for Christmas and to give out presents. Families can visit for FREE with online booking* opening mid/late November.  However, Xscape will be collecting for their partner charity Barnardos, so maybe bring some spare change! Limited walk-up slots will also be available on a day-by-day basis but it is advisable to book in advance, if possible.  Look out for their red throne photo opportunity on the main mall where you can discover if you’ve been ‘naughty or nice’, and Xscape can help out with those last-minute present buying dilemmas, their gift..

This year’s City Centre Christmas Light Switch On will be on Saturday 18th November and promises to be the most spectacular that Milton Keynes has ever seen.  The free event will take place at the front of intu Milton Keynes from 3:30pm with the switch on happening at approx 4.50pm. Heart FM will be hosting the stage in the build up to the big countdown with live entertainment, competition choirs and the traditional Salvation Army band.  We’re promised Father Christmas will make a quick stop in MK from his busy pre-Christmas schedule to do the honours along with the Mayor of Milton Keynes and Heart FM competition winners. A big screen will show the huge parcel being lit up in Station Square, three giant Kings lit on the roof of Christ the Cornerstone Church as well as the parcels and trees along Midsummer Boulevard bursting into festive life.  After the..

Xscape Milton Keynes has today announced that the famous Coca-Cola Christmas Truck will be making a stop at Xscape on Friday 15 December as part of its UK-wide tour.  Last year, over 9,000 people headed down to see the star of ‘that advert’, taking selfies, enjoying giveaways and listening to festive music. The truck will be at Xscape from 11am to 7pm, so giving everyone a chance to make the trip to see it.  Xscape General Manager, Carl Meale, commented on the announcement, “We are thrilled that the famous truck is stopping at Xscape for the second year in a row, last year was a huge success with so many families wanting to get a photo of the iconic Christmas vehicle.”  The festive fun doesn’t stop there, look out for more festive announcements from Xscape MK coming soon. Find out more at www.xscape.co.uk or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Milton Keynes will have a new festive offering from 10th November this year in the shape of THOR’S tipi bar – a Christmas pop-up bar with a difference.  Located in Oak Court at intu Milton Keynes shopping centre, THOR’S tipi bar will be a novel experience for Christmas shoppers and revellers alike.  A giant Scandinavian tipi will form the bar, festooned with lighting and decked out with wooden tables and benches, cosy furs and a fire pit.   Serving local draft ales, mulled wine and hot cider, the fully licensed bar will have something to warm everyone's cockles.  A hot chocolate station allows kids, big and small, to choose a topping for their homemade chocolate treat.  Spearheading the drive to bring THOR’S to intu Milton Keynes was General Manager Shelley Peppard. “We are always looking to evolve and develop the centre offerings at Christmas to attract new customers.  THOR’S tipi will..