Events
The Milton Keynes Rose is used throughout the year for events and gatherings.
Everyone is welcome to come along. You can also visit at any time simply to enjoy the space.
The Milton Keynes Rose is used throughout the year for events and gatherings.
Everyone is welcome to come along. You can also visit at any time simply to enjoy the space.
Next event: Tuesday 27 January 2026
Holocaust Memorial Day is a national commemoration day dedicated to the remembrance of those who suffered in the Holocaust under Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides. A short service is held at The Milton Keynes Rose annually with readings and performance from a local choir.
Tuesday 17 February 2026
The City’s Corporate Pancake Day Race was back again this year. Despite the mud and a cold wind, the rain didn’t stop play and the sun made a brief appearance. The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr. James Lancaster and Deputy Lieutenant Francesca Skelton who were our race starters on the day, presented the winning teams with their inscribed pancake pans. Congratulations to Mercer and Hole, who retained their title as winners of the Corporate Pancake Race for another year and the team from Camphill Community who won the para-Pancake Race.
Continue reading “Annual event: Corporate Pancake Relay Race”
Saturday 8 March 2025 was International Women’s Day and the theme for 2025 was Accelerate Action. The first International Women’s Day was held in March 1911. It is a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all those committed to forging women’s equality.
Continue reading “Annual Event: International Women’s Day”
15 June every year – Next event will take place on Monday 15 June 2026.
Held on 15 June each year, Albert French Day commemorates Rifleman Albert French who was born in Wolverton and was killed in action in the First World War when he was only 16 years old. The event commemorates the ultimate sacrifice of young people in war and all those who served.
This annual service will include readings, speeches and reflections and all are welcome.
Annual event every July
With welcome and speeches, collaborative art, music and picnic. All welcome.
See the MK Disability Awareness Day website for details for this year’s event.
Everyone is welcome to the annual service at the Milton Keynes Rose for Armistice Day on 11 November with silence at 11am followed by wreath laying. Nearest recommended parking located at centre:mk car parks (John Lewis end) and use the Redway bridge that leads into the park.
What3words location: yelled.pavilions.unleashed
January 2026
The Milton Keynes Rose was delighted to welcome the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr. James Lancaster on 23 January 2026 to mark the 59th anniversary of the designation of Milton Keynes as a New Town.
Click below to watch the Mayor wish Milton Keynes a very warm Happy Birthday from a rather cold and rainy Milton Keynes Rose.
Continue reading “New Event – Designation Day”
January 2026
The cold weather was no deterrent to our hardy group of visitors who came to the MK Rose on 1 January 2026 and welcomed in the new year with a rousing rendition of the world-famous song of redemption, Amazing Grace. The song was written in Olney in 1772 by John Newton who while working on a slave ship had an epiphany and became a curate working to outlaw the slave trade.
December 2025
As part of their annual mass cycle ride around the MK City centre on 13 December 2025 we were delighted to welcome the Cycling Santas to the MK Rose. With their aim to raise awareness in to safe cycling around the City and festively attired in red Santa suits to show how much they like the city’s redways, the MK Rose rang out to the sound of festive (cycle) bells.
Scroll down to see the video of the Cycling Santas at the MK Rose.
Continue reading “New Event – The Cycling Santas visit the MK Rose”
November 2025
The 25 November is designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and the start of 16 days of activism. White Ribbon UK observe 25 November as white ribbon day, a day when men and boys are encouraged to speak up about their year-round action to prevent violence against women and girls. The annual vigil at the MK Rose which was organised by volunteers from the Fawcett Society, MK:ACT, Soroptimist International and MK City Council included reflections and readings, and the tying of a white ribbon to encircle the pillars within the Rose.
October 2025
On Wednesday 1 October 2025, The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr. James Lancaster and MKCC Older Person’s Champion, Cllr. Ansar Hussain celebrated International Older Persons Day at the MK Rose. The event included talks on healthy and inclusive ageing, and the benefits of walking and cycling for older people.
September 2025
This year’s International Day of Peace, Sunday 21 September saw a busy day of events and activities at the MK Rose attracting over 200 visitors throughout the day.
Continue reading “New Event – International Day of Peace”
July 2025
The MK Rose provided a magical setting to performers participating in another award-winning IF:Milton Keynes International Festival, delighting audiences with outdoor spectaculars set within the pillars at the Rose.
May 2025
On Thursday 8 May 2025 hundreds of people from across Milton Keynes came together at The MK Rose to commemorate VE80 and mark the historic 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Continue reading “New Event – Celebrating VE 80”
April 2025
The Open University, with its main campus in Milton Keynes, gained its Royal Charter 56 years ago on 23 April 1969. To mark its 56th birthday, a ‘Charter Day’ event was held at their pillar at the MK Rose on Wednesday 23 April 2025.
Continue reading “New Event – The OU celebrates their Charter Day”
March 2025
On 9 March 2025, the Milton Keynes Ukrainian Appeal organised a celebratory event at the Milton Keynes Rose to celebrate the birthday of Taras Shevchenko — Ukraine’s great poet, artist and national icon. More than a literary genius, he was a revolutionary voice, a fighter for freedom and a symbol of Ukraine’s unbreakable spirit.
Continue reading “New Event – Celebrating the birthday of Taras Shevchenko”
23 January 2025
The Milton Keynes Rose was delighted to welcome the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr. Marie Bradburn on 23 January 2025 to mark the 58th anniversary of the designation of Milton Keynes as a New Town.