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.

Ukraine Vigil


Join us at Milton Keynes Rose at 5pm on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for a candle-lit vigil.

Annual Event: Holocaust Memorial Day


27 January 
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.

Next event is on Friday 27 January 2023.  Please meet at the Milton Keynes Rose at 10am for a short service.

Annual Event: International Women’s Day


8th March every year

In 2019 guests gathered at the MK Theatre and then the Milton Keynes Rose to attach their #PressForProgress pledges to the International Women’s Day pillar. Nikki Ross, assistant chief constable of Thames Valley Police, and Debbie Brock, Chair of the Cenotaph Trust (Milton Keynes Rose) gave inspiring speeches and two students from MK Academy read extracts from ‘Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls’ by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo. Read more in the MKCitizen online

Annual event: Corporate Pancake Relay Race


Next Event: Tuesday 21 February 2023

It’s back ..calling MK businesses and organisations to take part in the Milton Keynes Rose Pancake Race.  Taking place on Shrove Tuesday, 21 February 2023, the Milton Keynes Rose Project Team are calling on local businesses and organisations to take on the challenge of a relay race in Campbell Park.  Teams of four are invited to bring their baton (a frying pan!) and a pancake and be ready to compete for the title of MK Rose Pancake Winners!

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Annual Event: Albert French Commemoration


Next Event: Wednesday 15 June 6pm

Held on 15 June each year, Albert French Day commemorates Rifleman Albert French who died aged 16 in the First World War and all those who served.

The 2020 event was unable to be held publicly as usual however reading by Chris Roberts and wreath laying was filmed to share.
View the film here.

Annual Event: Armistice Day


Next event will be on Friday 11 November 2022 10.45am-11.15am

Everyone is welcome to annual service at the Milton Keynes Rose for Armistice Day on 11 November 2022 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
11th Nov 2017

Annual Event: Heritage Open Day Tours


Usually held in September as part of Heritage Open Days

Due to recent events, these tours have been cancelled for 2022.  
Visitors will be given a short walking tour of some of the pillars at the Milton Keynes Rose which demonstrate the wealth of heritage in the city, including the history of the hymn Amazing Grace which was written in Olney, and the story of Albert French, a young man from Wolverton, who was killed in action in World War 1

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Concrete cow pillar

Past Event: Concrete Cow Day


Saturday 3 September 2022 11am to 12.30pm

MK’s iconic Concrete Cows, designed by Liz leyh were first unveiled in 1978. Since then they have become a symbol of the city’s development. While comedians across the country have had cheap laughs with joks about them we have grown to love them, with a replica set at Bancroft, soft toy reproductions, Willen Hospice’s annual ‘Midnight Moo’, the ‘Cowshed’ at Stadium:mk and Donny and Mooie the MK Dons mascots.

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Annual Event: Diwali 2022


Join us on Monday 24th October 2022 at Milton Keynes Rose from 6pm for a small celebration of Diwali.

The Diwali Festival ‘spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair’. We are proud to have a pillar at Milton Keynes Rose and welcome the Milton Keynes and beyond community to celebrate with us.

Location: Campbell Park, Milton Keynes MK9 4AJ

Parking: Centre: MK (John Lewis), Redway near by

Past Event: Vigil for Ukraine


Saturday 12 March 2022 6pm

Join us at the Milton Keynes Rose this Saturday 12th March at 6pm as we host a Vigil for Ukraine.

Everyone is welcome. There will be short service with prayers, help us to show that the people of Milton Keynes stand in solidarity with our friends in Ukraine.

Past event : Tea Party for First Tea Bag Day


Friday 5th July 2019

The first tea bag produced in Britain from Tetley’s factory in Osborne Street, Bletchley.  The tea bag was brought to Britain by Tetley, who produced them in the UK for the first time in 1953 in Bletchley. By 1968, Tetley tea bag sales had soared to 5,000 tonnes a year.

Past Event: Commonwealth Picnic 


21st April 2018

Over 100 people celebrated being part of the Commonwealth by sharing food, friendship and flags on HM The Queen’s Birthday, joining in with Commonwealth celebrations that took place right across the globe.

Past Event: Vigil for Manchester Bombing


23rd May 2017

Milton Keynes’ new Mayor, Cllr David Hopkins, held a short public vigil in honour of those who lost their lives at Manchester Arena. Twenty-two people, including children, died and 59 others were injured after an explosion at an Ariana Grande pop concert at Manchester Arena in a suspected terror attack.