IF: 2025 is back this year! Make the Most of Your Visit!

The festival transforms venues, parks, streets and public spaces right across Milton Keynes, attracting audiences from near and far.

Whether you’re planning to visit one show — or pack your schedule with ten — this guide will help you navigate Milton Keynes City Centre, so you can get the very best from your festival days.

We’re here to help you explore, enjoy and make the most of these Amazing Days.

Where Are the City Centre Events?

During the Festival, Milton Keynes City Centre becomes one big performance space, with events and pop-ups in key locations including:

• 
  centre:mk – indoors and outdoors across the shopping mall and boulevards
• Midsummer Place – throughout the shopping centre and external spaces
• 
  Unity Place – in and around the new public spaces and plaza by Milton Keynes Central Station
• Streets, squares and green spaces across the city centre

Pop-up performances take place at varying times throughout the day and into the evening — typically between 11am and 10pm on Festival days.

👉 Keep an eye on the official IF Festival programme for the latest day-by-day schedules and updates and check out our guide to city centre events here.

Where to Park

Getting into the city centre is easy, with several good parking options close to festival locations:

• centre:mk main multi-storey car park (John Lewis end, Sat Nav MK9 3QA) — right in the heart of the action, ideal for quick access to festival events in centre:mk, Midsummer Boulevard and outside spaces. 80 disabled spaces at this location.
• Midsummer Place multi-storey car park (access via Saxon Gate, MK9 3GA) — another city centre option with plenty of spaces and EV charging available. 38 disabled spaces at this location.
• RingGo — download the RingGo app to discover parking spaces in and around the city centre and private parking close to the centre. The app lets you extend your parking remotely — perfect if you’re having too much fun to leave when you planned!
• MK Park & Ride — conveniently located just off the M1 at MK Coachway (MK16 0AA), with free parking and frequent bus services straight into the city centre. For more information visit here.
• Accessble Parking: In the City Centre there are ample disabled parking bays which are free of charge to Blue Badge Holders (street parking). There are also parking bays designated for charging electric vehicles.

Different parking charges may apply at different car parks near to, or at event sites - please check the provider’s parking information at each location.

Arriving by Train or Bus

Milton Keynes Central Railway Station is just a short walk from festival locations, making travelling by train a great option:

• Milton Keynes Central is served by regular fast trains from London Euston (approx. 35 minutes), Birmingham, Northampton and across the region.
• From the station, it’s an easy 5 - 20-minute walk to key locations, Unity Place, Midsummer Boulevard, Midsummer Place and centre:mk. It is a 30–40-minute walk to festival central at Campbell Park and is slightly uphill.
• Taxis, Santander bikes and electric scooters are also available outside the station.

For up-to-date train information visit:

National Rail

Trainline

If you’re travelling by bus:

• The main Central Milton Keynes bus stops are located along Midsummer Boulevard and there are bus timetables located in Midsummer Place, (bottom of the escalators), and centre:mk (close to M&S).

For up-to-date travel information visit:

Traveline

Milton Keynes City Council

Where to Stay

Make the most of your festival experience by staying over in the city centre — there’s something for every style and budget:

• 
  Leonardo Hotel — stylish, modern hotel in a great city centre location close to The Hub.
• 
  Hotel LaTour — contemporary hotel with high-end design close to centre:mk and overlooking festival central.
• 
  Moxy Milton Keynes — fun, design-led hotel with a great bar and vibe. Dog friendly if you want to bring your furry friend. Located in The Hub.
• 
  Holiday Inn Milton Keynes - Central — modern hotel with great facilities. Located opposite Midsummer Place and centre:mk shopping.
• Premier Inn – one is located on
  
  Avebury Boulevard close to the train station, the second is at
  
  12th Street and the third is at
  
  The Barn Beefeater which is opposite the iconic Xscape building.

👉 Browse our full Milton Keynes City Centre Hotel Guide for more accommodation options.

Where to Eat

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink in Milton Keynes City Centre.

From sit-down three-course meals to quick coffee stops, juice and tea bars, grab-and-go snacks and lighter lunch spots — whatever your mood, time frame or appetite, there are dozens of eateries across centre:mk, Midsummer Place, The Hub, 12th Street, Xscape and the Train Station End of the city.

Perfect for fuelling up between festival shows!

Visit our full Business Directory to discover your favourite eatery or be inspired by something new!

Fun Between Shows

Got a gap between performances? No problem — Milton Keynes City Centre is packed with entertainment:

• 
  Lane7 at Midsummer Place — boutique bowling, indoor games, roller disco and more
• 
  Xscape Milton Keynes — indoor skiing, skydiving, climbing, escape rooms, cinema, adventure golf, arcades, bowling, trampolining and great food options
• 
  12th Street — buzzing entertainment complex with restaurants, bars, laser tag, escape rooms, virtual reality and more.
• 
  Tenpin (Station End) — bowling, arcade games, karaoke, pool tables and laser tag.

Plan Ahead

A little planning will help you make the most of your festival visit:

• Book accommodation early — hotels fill up fast for the festival period.
• Check the Festival programme — some events are free, others ticketed — plan your days and book ahead where needed. Festival Guide!
• Reserve tables if you’re planning a special meal — popular restaurants get busy during festival time.
• Use Park & Ride or plan where to park ahead of travel if you’re travelling in at peak times.
• Wear comfy shoes — you’ll be exploring across the city centre and beyond!
• Make sure you visit mymk.cc for everything Milton Keynes City Centre and use the map to plan your route throughout the day!

Enjoy IF: Milton Keynes International Festival 2025 — we’ll see you in the city for these 10 Amazing Days!