ADMISSION TO FIRSTSITE IS FREE

Open Tuesday – Sunday

See our opening times

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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ADMISSION TO FIRSTSITE IS FREE

Open Tuesday – Sunday

See our opening times

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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Exhibitions

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.

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Courses, 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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Courses, Clubs & Classes

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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Courses, Clubs & Classes

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.

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Exhibitions

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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Courses, Clubs & Classes

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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.

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Festive 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.

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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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.

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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!

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Talks & 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.

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Cinema

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.

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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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.

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Courses, 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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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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Cinema

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.

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Festive 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.

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Cinema

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.

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Two people puling crackers at Christmas parties

Celebrate 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.

Wrap up Christmas!

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 today
Selection of online shop products

Explore 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.

 

Shop online

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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Social posts

    Welcome area at Firstsite. 'Big Hello' (2018) Peter Liversidge. Photo by Jayne Lloyd.

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