Luton is turning 150 in 2026!
Luton celebrates 150 years of borough status throughout 2026!
Back in 1876, Luton made history by officially becoming a borough, unlocking the power to govern itself with its very own elected council.
To celebrate, the council & partners are hosting a line-up of around 150 exciting events, public art installations, exhibitions and a massive music event in September.
This year is about celebrating every aspect of Luton’s rich and diverse history – with more surprises to come! Here’s all you need to know:
Luton’s officially 150 years old…
On the anniversary week of Luton gaining borough status, Luton Council hosted a special tree planting ceremony in the churchyard of our stunning St Mary’s Church.
A soon-to-be beautiful cherry blossom tree was planted by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Mrs Susan Lousada, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Mrs Camilla King, and Mayor of Luton Councillor Amy Nicholls.
Residents added their wishes and messages of hope for our town onto the church’s ‘Tree of Hope’ with stunning bright orange ribbon.
Local poet Lee Nelson did a live reading of his powerful original poem about our town and our proud history.
A glimpse of Luton’s story over the last 150 years…
What the logo means for our town
The Luton 150 logo design celebrates our town’s vibrant past, present, and future – but there’s a few little easter eggs you might’ve missed out on first glance.
Air traffic control tower
Highlighting Luton’s strong travel links and aviation industry
Bute Mills (now Youthscape)
A nod to our industrial heritage, especially hat making
Flamingo
Symbolising Luton’s adaptability; these statues once stood in The Arndale Centre (now Luton Point) and now live in Hat Gardens
Luton Library Theatre
Representing the town’s growing arts, culture, and heritage scene
Town Hall
Marking the civic pride of this anniversary year as we celebrate becoming a municipal borough
What’s on
There’s so much going on across the town to celebrate this historic milestone, from public art and exciting exhibitions, to surprises we can’t wait to be unveiled! Find it all here.
This isn’t everything, and there’s plenty more to come. So, check back soon – we’ll be sure to keep you up to date as the year goes on.
From the factory floor to the design studio, and the thousands who passed through the gates each day, this project tells the story of Vauxhall Motors through the voices of those who lived it.
20th May @ 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
To mark Dementia Action Week (18th - 24th May) we’re hosting a Dementia friendly session at our exhibition.
21st May @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
We’re thrilled to announce that Luton International Carnival is back for 2026 — and it’s bringing the colour, the music, and the magic right home to where it all began!
24th May @ 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
In these sessions, we will teach you how to use carving knives safely and set an appropriate project each week to help you build and develop your whittling skills.
26th May @ 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Join Luton BID’s Tidy Days and help keep Luton looking its best
26th May @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Join us for a guided heritage walking tour of Luton's historic High Town, led by local historian Paul Hammond.
13th June @ 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Join us for a guided heritage walking tour of Luton's historic Hat District, led by local historian Paul Hammond.
27th June @ 9:30 am - 11:00 am
‘Market Hill Live’ is a music event returning to Luton town centre after the success of last year.
27th June @ 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Celebrate the ribbon cutting of a new community mural created with the ideas, drawings and words of local people.
27th June @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Luton Turkish Festival is a much-loved annual event in the UK, celebrating the rich culture, traditions, and values of Türkiye. Once again, we are excited to welcome you for a joyful day full of culture, food, and community spirit.
28th June @ 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Join Luton BID’s Tidy Days and help keep Luton looking its best
30th June @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Don’t miss a thing
Stay updated on everything happening in Luton this year – we’re keeping track of all the news as it happens.
It’s a big year for carnival lovers in Luton as they return home to Wardown Park on 24 May to celebrate their 50th year of culture and colour!
1 May, 2026
Luton Made: Vauxhall opens this weekend and aims to showcase how the car manufacturer shaped the town we live in today.
28 April, 2026
There are loads of egg-cellent events and activities taking place during the school holidays, and we’ve rounded up our top picks into one place for you.
24 March, 2026
