Destination Milton Keynes helps to spread the love for our city 💖

Thirteen years ago, the team at Destination Milton Keynes (DMK) – the city’s official tourism organisation – had a simple idea: what if they created a day dedicated to celebrating everything people love about Milton Keynes on social media? And with that, #LoveMK Day was born. This year, the celebration returns on Thursday 1 May.

Since then, #LoveMK Day has grown into the biggest one-day social media celebration of all things MK. It shines a light on Milton Keynes as both a leisure hotspot and a business destination. But as DMK’s Marketing Manager, Carys Underwood, explains, it’s about much more than that:

“Over the years Milton Keynes has been unfairly judged – often by people who’ve never even visited. This slightly bonkers idea was our way of giving the people who do get it a chance to shout about what makes MK special, from our green spaces and grid roads to the roundabouts we love to joke about.”

From mayors and celebrities to local schools, businesses, sports teams, and proud residents, thousands have taken part over the years. The uniting thread? The hashtag.

What started as a bid to get #LoveMK trending on Twitter (now X) has turned into a creativity challenge: the hashtag has appeared on pizzas, cakes, pies, flowerbeds, LEGO, and even in Minecraft. One year, someone even cut it into a lawn.

It’s estimated that in the last thirteen years, #LoveMK has reached over 35 million people and been used more than 100,000 times.

This year, DMK is calling on everyone to get involved. Use #LoveMK in your posts on 1 May – and don’t be afraid to get creative. Paint it, bake it, sew it, build it – they want to see your most imaginative takes on the hashtag!

Carys adds:

“Even after more than a decade, the enthusiasm for #LoveMK Day still amazes us. Anyone can join in – whether it’s a simple post using the hashtag, a creative photo, or even a special offer from your business. We’ll help share it far and wide – just get involved and help us spread the #LoveMK.”

To find out more, visit www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk or follow @DestinationMK on social media.