Music Cities Convention, the world’s leading global event exploring the relationship between music and urban development, will be hosted in Hull in 2026.
The convention will return to the UK in June 2026 and celebrate Hull’s journey from a vibrant grassroots community to a globally recognised music city.
Over three days, over 250 delegates from more than 25 countries will gather to explore how music drives cultural, social, and economic change in cities around the world.
For a decade, Music Cities Convention has convened policymakers, industry leaders and cultural entrepreneurs across four continents and 10 countries. Hull 2026 will mark a symbolic homecoming, shining a spotlight on a UK city that exemplifies how communities can leverage music for positive change.
The Hull Music Cities Convention will be hosted by Hull City Council, alongside Sound Diplomacy Events & Education, with the support of Visit Britain, Visit Hull and Culture Hull.
Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this prestigious event in our great city next year.
“It’s events like the Music Cities Convention that show the world we are serious about our ambitions to become a UNESCO City of Music.
“We look forward to welcoming music specialists from across the globe to Hull and show them what we have on offer.”
In the past decade, Hull has become a model of music-led transformation. From being named UK City of Culture in 2017 to its five-year plan to achieve UNESCO City of Music status by 2030, Hull has consistently placed music at the heart of civic pride, identity, and opportunity.
The city’s legacy includes world-renowned acts like The Housemartins, Throbbing Gristle, Everything but the Girl, and rising stars such as Chiedu Oraka, as well as popstar Calum Scott.
