Welcome to Firstsite!
See the world differently – experience the very best art and culture from around the world that inspires, empowers and opens your mind.
Enjoy our exhibitions, workshops, films and events. Relax in our colourful cafe with outdoor seating and find quirky products in our shop.
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What's on
Top picks
Exhibitions
Free
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.
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Free
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.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart
02 August 2024 - 01 March 2025
Multiple times available
A one-of-a-kind life drawing class, where your tutor and model will offer multiple poses in fantastical settings.
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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!
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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.
Read moreExhibitions
Free
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Read moreFestive Workshops
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.
Read moreCinema
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.
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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!
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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!
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Shakespeare’s Globe presents Othello
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!
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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.
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Festive Workshops
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!
Read moreTalks & Events
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.
Read moreCinema
Megalopolis
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.
Read moreCinema
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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Introduction to Collage
24 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Read moreFestive Workshops
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.
Read moreCinema
The Outrun
08 - 12 November 2024
Multiple times available
Based on the best-selling memoir by Amy Liptrot, The Outrun is a brutally honest drama about addiction and recovery.
Read moreCelebrate Christmas with a fun and festive night at Firstsite
With its dramatic frontage and beautiful gallery spaces, Firstsite provides an unforgettable setting for your party
Firstsite is a registered charity; holding your Christmas party with us means
you are not only supporting the great exhibitions and social enterprises based here but you are also supporting the local community.
Become a Mosaic Member today!
Enjoy a unlimited free access to our films and a whole host of special offers and generous discounts with a Firstsite Mosaic Membership.
As a treat for yourself – or a gift for someone else – being a Firstsite Mosaic Members provides a year of fantastic benefits, and helps to support art and creativity in East Anglia.
Join todayExplore our online shop
Featuring a range of design-led products and books inspired by our exhibition programme, events and community, our shop has something for everyone. All profits from your purchase raises funds to help us keep our exhibitions free and supports our community outreach activities.
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Make the most of your visit
Latest news
Antiques Roadshow’s return to Essex after eight years will broadcast this Sunday
5 September 2024
Press release: The first episode filmed at Colchester’s Firstsite, will air Sunday 8 September on BBC One at 20.00 An episode of one of the BBC’s most celebrated programmes, Antiques Roadshow, will be broadcast this Sunday, featuring…
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