Leonora Carrington: Avatars & Alliances

26 October 2024 - 23 February 2025

Step into the magical and mystical world of Leonora Carrington, the British-Mexican painter and novelist, in her debut exhibition in the East of England.

The Royal Opera: Wolf Witch Giant Fairy

30 October 2024

2:00 pm

The Royal Opera: Wolf Witch Giant Fairy is an ‘enchantingly staged’ family folk opera, following the triumphant, Olivier Award-winning run.

Jane Ostler: Finding the Hand of Kindness

12 October 2024 - 23 February 2025

“Finding The Hand of Kindness” is inspired by Jane’s own life, reflecting on her roles as a caregiver, the impact of patriarchal expectations, and the everyday moments of kindness. Through her art, Jane invites us to see how creativity can be a source of comfort and connection.

Holiday Fun: October 2024 – Canteen

29 October - 02 November 2024

Multiple times available

Enjoy freshly made hot meals for all the family at Firstsite’s Holiday Fun Canteen in Colchester town centre.

200% Wolf

30 October 2024

Multiple times available

Heroic poodle Freddy Lupin has everything it takes to lead his werewolf pack, except respect. If only he were more… wolfish, like 200% wolf.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

29 - 31 October 2024

Multiple times available

Beetlejuice is back in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home.

Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart

02 November 2024

Multiple times available

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

Surrealism Poetry Workshop with Derek Adams

22 November 2024

7:30 pm

New to writing poetry or an experienced poet? Our Surrealism Poetry Workshop with Derek Adams will help you to revitalise your writing!

Life Drawing with Justine Moss – all levels

07 November 2024 - 15 March 2025

Multiple times available

Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, gain confidence in drawing the figure, with these tutored life drawing sessions.

Concrete Dreams: Just Can’t Get Enough

20 April - 10 November 2024

Presented 75 years after Basildon in Essex was designated a New Town, ‘Concrete Dreams: Just Can’t Get Enough’ reflects on the influence of the Britain’s post-war new town movement on cultural identity, and the impact of policy decisions on individual lives.

Nature drawing workshop with Lisa Temple-Cox

17 November 2024 - 23 March 2025

Multiple times available

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

Exhibition on Screen: Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers

10 - 16 November 2024

Multiple times available

A century after acquiring its first Van Gogh works, the National Gallery is hosting Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers.

The Substance

31 October 2024

Multiple times available

Deliriously entertaining and ruthlessly satirical, Coralie Fargeat’s Cannes sensation, The Substance, turns toxic beauty culture inside out.

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.

Candle Decorating

01 December 2024

10:00 am

Relax this season at our Candle Decorating workshop. Celebrate the occasion with an enjoyable morning decorating your own festive candles.

National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest

20 February 2025

7:00 pm

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

Kiss Me, Kate: The Musical

29 November - 01 December 2024

Multiple times available

Porter’s legendary Kiss Me, Kate: The Musical comedy has backstage shenanigans, Shakespearean sonnets, singing gangsters and a hot romance!

Andre Rieu’s 2024 Christmas Concert: Gold and Silver

07 - 08 December 2024

Multiple times available

Celebrate the holiday season with André Rieu’s 2024 Christmas Concert: Gold and Silver, exclusively in cinemas!

Shakespeare’s Globe presents Othello

06 - 14 November 2024

Multiple times available

Shakespeare’s Globe presents Othello, a critically-acclaimed production captured live during its run at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse!

Emilia Pérez

29 November - 05 December 2024

Multiple times available

Through liberating song, dance and bold visuals, this odyssey follows Emilia Pérez and remarkable women in Mexico, in pursuit of happiness.

Firebrand

02 - 07 November 2024

Multiple times available

In Firebrand blood-soaked Tudor England, Katherine Parr, is named Regent while her husband tyrant Henry VIII is fighting overseas.

Festive Canal Folk Art

08 December 2024

2:00 pm

Delve into the techniques of Canal Folk Art this season with a Festive Canal Folk Art session and take home your flowery bauble masterpieces!

EA Festival: Tattoos – Matt Lodder

28 November 2024

Multiple times available

EA Festival, Essex Book Festival and Firstsite are excited to present a talk with Matt Lodder, author of a new book entitled, Tattoos.

Dragonkeeper (Relaxed)

02 November 2024

11:00 am

Dragons were once friends of humans, but our greed ended their alliance, and these magical creatures were hunted. Then came the Dragonkeeper.

Megalopolis

01 - 07 November 2024

Multiple times available

In Megalopolis, The City of New Rome must change, causing conflict between a genius artist who seeks to leap into utopia and his opposition.

Macbeth: David Tennant & Cush Jumbo

06 - 09 February 2025

Multiple times available

Witness this gripping tale in a brand-new production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth staring David Tennant & Cush Jumbo.

MET Opera Live: Tosca

23 November 2024

5:45 pm

Puccini’s MET Opera Live: Tosca about a volatile diva, a sadistic police chief, and an idealistic artist has offended and thrilled audiences!

Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration

17 - 22 November 2024

Multiple times available

Tuscany, Italy, bursts to life with enchanting melodies at the Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration featuring surprise guest appearances!

My Favourite Cake (Parent & Baby)

07 November 2024

11:30 am

Single Seventy-year-old Mahin chooses to revive her love life when she suddenly experiences a chance encounter in My Favourite Cake.

Dahomey (Captioned)

22 - 23 November 2024

Multiple times available

Dahomey is a poetic and immersive work of art that delves into real perspectives on appropriation, self-determination and restitution.

A Different Man

15 - 21 November 2024

Multiple times available

Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance but this turns into a nightmare in A Different Man.

Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram (Relaxed)

09 November 2024

11:00 am

With an unsolved mystery from the great Edo period, the battle for treasure begins…with Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram.

Girls Will Be Girls (Captioned)

14 November 2024

1:15 pm

In Girls Will Be Girls, 16-year-old Mira discovers desire and romance, but her sexual, rebellious awakening is disrupted by her mother.

Introduction to Collage

25 January - 28 February 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.

Joker: Folie À Deux (Captioned)

21 November 2024

4:00 pm

Joker: Folie À Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker.

My Old Ass

09 - 14 November 2024

Multiple times available

In My Old Ass, Elliott has been advised by her future self not to fall in love, which she thinks is easy, until she meets the boy.

National Theatre Live: Prima Facie

16 November - 05 December 2024

Multiple times available

Tony award-winning Prima Facie, shows Tessa a brilliant barrister who is forced to confront the lines of patriarchal power.

Seven Samurai (4K Restoration)

17 November 2024

10:00 am

16th-century farmers whose village is repeatedly attacked by merciless bandits ask an elderly, masterless Seven Samurai for help.

Shaun Of The Dead (20th Anniversary)

31 October 2024

5:10 pm

There comes a day when every man has to get off the couch…and kill zombies. Let’s celebrate that in Shaun Of The Dead (20th Anniversary).

The Apprentice

22 - 27 November 2024

Multiple times available

The origins of Donald Trump are brought to life in a provocative, electrifying portrait of the man and his mentor in The Apprentice.

The Black Pirate (1926) – with live piano accompaniment

30 November 2024

2:30 pm

Experience The Black Pirate, one of the monumental accomplishments of the silent era, with a live piano accompaniment by Lillian Henley!

The Goldman Case

08 - 14 November 2024

Multiple times available

November 1975, the second trial of The Goldman Case, a far left activist, sentenced in the first instance to life imprisonment.

The Room Next Door

29 November - 05 December 2024

Multiple times available

Ingrid and Martha were close friends in their youth, but after years of being out of touch they meet again in The Room Next Door.

The Royal Ballet: Cinderella

15 December 2024

2:00 pm

Be transported into an ethereal world at the The Royal Ballet: Cinderella where a sprinkling of fairy dust makes dreams come true.

The Wild Robot (Parent & Baby)

03 December 2024

11:30 am

When The Wild Robot, Rozzum 7134, a futuristic robot washes ashore on a deserted island, tale of survival and discovery begins.

Wreath Making

05 December 2024

7:00 pm

Join Firstsite this joyous season for a wreath making session where you will learn how to make an eco-friendly wreath for your front door.