We are a city of culture, lots of culture; a city of music, sport, dance, food, heritage, art and theatre.
We’re a city of connections. A maritime city, a meeting point of rivers, a port for a thousand years. Not just a departure point, but a destination, too. Home to people from more than 50 countries. A young, diverse city of culture, lots of culture. A city of innovation and enterprise, home to two universities.
There’s so much to be proud of but there’s SO much further we can go. Which is why we’re bidding to be UK City of Culture 2025. This is a huge opportunity for our city but we can’t do it without you. The bid won’t win without your support. Find out how you can get involved.
It’s time to shout about Southampton
Claire Whitaker OBE, Bid Director
The programme we will shape together will transform the profile and the prosperity of Southampton and use the power of culture to ensure we reach our full potential.
The people of Southampton are at the heart of this bid and we will work together to make a real difference to all. There is such a rich variety of culture in the city that it is the natural focus of a bid. I am proud to be leading this bid and am looking forward to an exciting programme which will achieve a great deal and leave a positive legacy for the city."
This is a huge opportunity for our city and we want everyone to be involved.
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Southampton is bidding to become the UK City of Culture in 2025. This is a huge opportunity for our city but we can’t do it without you. Our bid won’t win without your support.
Follow us on social media, use the hashtag #SO25 and #OurSouthampton when sharing, and don’t forget to subscribe to email updates below!
Get behind SO25 and help connect our city with a brighter future.
Get Involved
Our people are at the heart of our bid to become the UK City of Culture 2025.
Drawn from different parts of the city (and some from further afield), they represent the diverse voices and cultures of our welcoming and inclusive city.
Our People
This city is bursting with culture, much of it self-made by the people of Southampton, and it will always be home in my heart... Now we have the opportunity to be part of the story of our future city and tell it to the world.”
The bid will provide the opportunity Southampton really needs in terms of reaching hard-to-reach, diverse groups.”
Become one of our partners investing in a city’s future development.
As part of Southampton’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025, we are looking for partners who will support and amplify the journey of not only the bidding period but beyond.
