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.

Boozy Brushes

14 February - 16 May 2025

Multiple times available

Join Sirena Hart for Boozy Brushes at Firstsite – our New Multi-Art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza!

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).

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…

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

The Art Café

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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!

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.

Away

09 April 2025

2:00 pm

Away explores our common, universal need to find a connection, as a boy travels across an island, to escape a dark spirit and get back home.

Acorn Village: 50 Years

26 April - 07 September 2025

Discover the inspiring 50-year journey of Acorn Village, told through a rich collection of artworks created by artists with learning disabilities.

Björk’s Cornucopia

10 May 2025

7:45 pm

Björk’s Cornucopia, the highly anticipated concert film live in Lisbon, captures the celebrated artist’s tour that mesmerised audiences.

Colchester Arts Society – Aden Hynes Larger than Life – Working as a Commercial Sculptor

01 May 2025

6:30 pm

The Colchester Arts Society invites you to the Colchester Arts Society Lecture Series at Firstsite with Aden Hynes.

Disney’s Snow White (Relaxed)

12 April 2025

11:00 am

Disney’s Snow White is a live-action musical reimagining of the classic 1937 film. The magical adventure journeys back to a timeless story.

Ernest Cole: Lost and Found

25 - 30 April 2025

Multiple times available

Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, shows how a South African photographer was the first to expose the horrors of apartheid to a world audience.

Exhibition on Screen: Michelangelo: Love and Death

21 - 24 May 2025

Multiple times available

Michelangelo’s spectacular works seem so familiar, but do we really know this renaissance genius? This is Michelangelo: Love and Death.

Firstsite Fabulous Fridays

16 May 2025

Multiple times available

Immerse yourself in a world of unlimited creativity at our monthly Fabulous Fridays with unique workshops, art, tasty treats and great films!

Holiday Fun: April 2025 – Canteen

08 - 19 April 2025

Multiple times available

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

The Royal Ballet: Ballet to Broadway: Wheeldon Works

25 May 2025

2:00 pm

The Royal Ballet: Ballet to Broadway: Wheeldon Works showcases the remarkable choreographic range of Christopher Wheeldon.

Portfolio Surgery – Morning Sessions

10 May 2025

Multiple times available

Book a one-on-one session at our free Artist Portfolio Surgery, where an industry expert will provide professional guidance.

The Summer With Carmen

04 April 2025

5:30 pm

In this sexy, sun-drenched comedy, The Summer With Carmen, best friends Demos and Nikitas are about to go on the most meta adventure ever.

Origami Workshop

16 May 2025

7:00 pm

In our Origami Workshop, Lu Yu will guide you step by step through the creation of specific origami shapes in this ancient art form!