University Centre Colchester (UCC): Legacy

08 March - 15 June 2025

In partnership with Colchester Institute, we’re proud to present the UCC: Legacy exhibition, featuring an exciting selection of multimedia works by second and third-year students from University Centre Colchester (UCC).

Halla Groves-Raines: Life in Patterns

16 November 2024 - 20 April 2025

Discover fresh perspectives from modern Essex and Suffolk through the faces and stories of its residents in an intimate portrait exhibition by Essex-based artist Halla Groves-Raines.

Opening Celebration | Elsa James: It Should Not Be Forgotten

28 March 2025

Multiple times available

Join us for a special evening event to celebrate the opening of ‘It Should Not Be Forgotten’, Elsa James’s first solo exhibition at Firstsite!

Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart

01 February 2025 - 07 February 2026

Multiple times available

A one-of-a-kind life drawing class, where your tutor and model will offer multiple poses in fantastical settings.

Nature drawing workshop with Lisa Temple-Cox

23 March 2025

Multiple times available

Explore observational drawing and discover your favourite medium with this nature drawing workshop.

Exhibition on Screen: Dawn of Impressionism: Paris 1874

25 - 29 March 2025

Multiple times available

Impressionists are the most famous in art history but they were once penniless outsiders, until the Dawn of Impressionism: Paris 1874.

Billy Elliot The Musical Live (20th Anniversary)

30 March - 02 April 2025

Multiple times available

Billy Elliot The Musical shows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance.

Words from Art Poetry Workshop

08 May 2025

7:00 pm

Our Words from Art Poetry Workshop is practical session which will explore a variety of techniques to writing poems inspired by works of art.

The Art Café

04 February - 07 May 2025

Multiple times available

The Art Café is our new unguided painting session! Come alone, with friends or that special someone for a fun and relaxing art activity.

André Rieu’s 75th Birthday Celebration: The Dream Continues

12 - 13 April 2025

Multiple times available

André Rieu celebrates his 75th Birthday! The King of the Waltz invites you to a boat party with him and his beloved Johann Strauss Orchestra.

Boozy Brushes – Paint in Pairs

25 April 2025

7:30 pm

Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes a multi-art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza where you can paint in pairs!

Bonnie & Clyde The Musical

01 - 04 May 2025

Multiple times available

Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is the story of two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere who became the biggest folk heroes in all America.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Relaxed)

22 March 2025

11:00 am

Renée Zellweger returns in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy to the role that established a romantic-comedy heroine for the ages!

I Am Martin Parr

21 - 27 March 2025

Multiple times available

I Am Martin Parr. One of the most controversial photographers. My images have the power to amuse and leave us slightly uncomfortable.

Introduction to Collage

28 February - 04 July 2025

Multiple times available

Sociable, creative and fun Introduction to Collage Workshop where you’ll learn new techniques, unwind and have a delicious lunch together.

Hard Truths

07 - 29 March 2025

Multiple times available

From acclaimed filmmaker Mike Leigh, comes Hard Truths. Starring BAFTA award-winner Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin.

I’m Still Here

21 - 27 March 2025

Multiple times available

Under the grip of Brazil’s military dictatorship, a mother of five, is forced to reinvent herself in I’m Still Here.

Anora

30 March 2025

Multiple times available

Sean Baker’s Oscar winning film for Best Picture stars Mikey Madison as Anora, a young sex worker who’s fairytale love story is disrupted.

BSFF25: Cult Film Secret Screening

03 May 2025

8:05 pm

As is the Black Sunday tradition, we will be closing the 2025 festival with a stone-cold cult secret classic!

Carmen Comes Home (JFTFP25)

29 March 2025

5:00 pm

A city girl makes an exuberant return to her village hometown, but her appearance causes a stir. Can they adjust when Carmen Comes Home?

Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Market

05 April 2025 - 07 December 2024

Multiple times available

Have a handmade shopping day. The people in your life deserves something special and for a totally unique gift, you cannot beat handmade.

Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert

03 - 05 April 2025

Multiple times available

Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert captures an extraordinary live performance of some of Zimmer’s most revered compositions…

MET Opera Live: Il Barbiere di Siviglia

31 May 2025

5:45 pm

MET Opera Live 2024–25 season comes to a close with MET Opera Live: Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini’s effervescent comedy. 

The Royal Ballet: Romeo & Juliet

23 March 2025

Multiple times available

In The Royal Ballet: Romeo & Juliet, love flourishes in Verona despite the shadow of an ancient family feud.

The Firstsite Art Fair

10 May 2025

Multiple times available

The Firstsite Art Fair brings together a diverse range of artists, collectors, art lovers and all who are simply curios about art.

National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove

27 March - 01 June 2025

Multiple times available

Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Dr. Strangelove.

Neil Young Coastal

17 April 2025

7:00 pm

Take a journey with maverick musician in Neil Young Coastal, a personal, behind-the-scenes documentary on his recent solo tour.

BSFF25: Bystanders

01 May 2025

12:50 pm

A group of murderous frat boys get more than they bargained for when they cross paths with a couple coming home from a wedding in Bystanders.

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (Captioned)

22 March 2025

4:50 pm

Renée Zellweger returns in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy to the role that established a romantic-comedy heroine for the ages!

Memoir of a Snail

21 - 28 March 2025

Multiple times available

From Academy Award winning animator Adam Elliot comes Memoir of a Snail, a bittersweet memoir of a melancholic woman called Grace Pudel.

National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest

11 May 2025

Multiple times available

Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy – The Importance of Being Earnest.

SIX The Musical Live!

11 - 20 April 2025

Multiple times available

Filmed at London’s Vaudeville Theatre, the original West End Queens of SIX the Musical Live! are back on the big screen!

The Last Showgirl (Captioned)

01 April 2025

2:00 pm

When the Las Vegas revue she has headlined for decades announces it will close, The Last Showgirl must reconcile with her decisions.

Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII

24 - 27 April 2025

Multiple times available

Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII, the 1972 film, features iconic songs, stunning visuals, and rare behind-the-scenes moments!

MET Opera Live: Le Nozze di Figaro

26 April 2025

5:45 pm

Mozart’s timeless and profoundly humane comedy returns to Firstsite in MET Opera Live: Le Nozze di Figaro.

Elsa James: It Should Not Be Forgotten

29 March - 06 July 2025

Join Essex artist Elsa James in examining the heart of Britain’s colonial past and its lasting impact on Black life today.