Lunar Lullabies

08 June - 06 October 2024

Join Colchester’s own Jane Taylor on a celestial adventure, inspired by her timeless poem, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart

05 October - 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.

YAK: Gen Z Dreaming

07 September - 06 October 2024

What is the purpose and future of art? Who has the power to shape it? How might Firstsite evolve in the years to come? Ponder these questions through the eyes of the next generation.

Life Drawing with Justine Moss – all levels

26 September 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.

Nature drawing workshop with Lisa Temple-Cox

22 September 2024 - 23 March 2025

Multiple times available

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Edward Scissorhands: Matthew Bourne’s Dance Version

26 - 29 September 2024

Multiple times available

Edward Scissorhands: Matthew Bourne’s dance version of Tim Burton’s classic has carved a place in the hearts of audiences worldwide.

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. 

National Theatre Live: Prima Facie

12 - 20 September 2024

Multiple times available

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

Bluey At The Cinema: Family Trip Collection (Relaxed)

21 September 2024

11:00 am

Bluey at the Cinema: Family Trip Collection is an hour-long treat for fans of Bluey to enjoy, based around the theme of Family Trip.

MET Opera Live: Grounded

19 October 2024

5:45 pm

Tony Award–winning composer Tesori’s new MET Opera Live: Grounded, wrestles with often-overlooked issues created by 21st-century war-making.

Cuckoo

27 September - 03 October 2024

Multiple times available

In Cuckoo, Euphoria actor Hunter Schafer gives an incredible performance as 17-year-old Gretchen, who, reluctantly, leaves her American home to live with her father, who has just moved into a resort in the German Alps with his new family.

Miss Saigon (25th Anniversary Show)

25 - 27 September 2024

Multiple times available

This spectacular, sell-out Miss Saigon 25th Anniversary Show tells the epic love story between a young bar girl and an American GI.

Between The Temples

21 September 2024

Multiple times available

Playing a bereaved synagogue cantor and his former primary school music teacher, Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane light up Nathan Silver’s endearing odd couple tale – Between The Temples.

Paul McCartney and Wings – One Hand Clapping

26 - 29 September 2024

Multiple times available

Step back in time to 1974 and witness the magic of Paul McCartney and Wings – One Hand Clapping, exploring their historic recording session.

Hollywoodgate

21 - 26 September 2024

Multiple times available

Unprecedented and audacious, Hollywoodgate is the riveting result of the year director Ibrahim Nash’at spent with the Taliban in the wake of the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Paint your own Space Decoration

06 October 2024

Multiple times available

To celebrate International Space Week and with our Lunar Lullabies exhibition closing soon, you can paint your own space decoration!

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.

Gracie & Pedro: Mission Impossible

21 - 22 September 2024

Multiple times available

An action-packed animation with an all-star voice cast: rival pets, Gracie and Pedro, are forced to unite, embarking on a perilous quest to find their lost family.

MET Opera Live: Les Contes d’Hoffmann

05 October 2024

5:45 pm

MET Opera Live: Les Contes d’Hoffmann follows the poet E.T.A. Hoffmann his trio of lovers, and the drama that ensue with his rival.

The Mountain Within Me

01 - 02 October 2024

Multiple times available

The Mountain Within Me is an inspiring, thought-provoking documentary about unexpected change, hope and finding renewed purpose in life.

200% Wolf

25 - 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.

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.

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.

Boonie Bears: Time Twist (Relaxed)

19 October 2024

11:00 am

Welcome to the Boonie Bears: Time Twist! Vick has his world turned upside down when an VIP client offers him the chance to change his life.

Hidden Figures

04 October 2024

5:00 pm

Hidden Figures is the incredible untold story of African-American women, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson, working at NASA.

Interstellar (10th Anniversary)

04 October 2024

11:00 am

In Interstellar a team of explorers travel through a wormhole in space in an attempt to ensure humanity’s survival.

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.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

25 - 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.

Bluey At The Cinema: Family Trip Collection (Parent & Baby)

24 September 2024

11:30 am

Bluey at the Cinema: Family Trip Collection is an hour-long treat for fans of Bluey to enjoy, based around the theme of Family Trip.

Colchester Art Society Autumn Lecture: ‘Exploding the canon: Tate Modern at 25’ Frances Morris

10 October 2024

6:00 pm

Curator, art historian and writer, Frances Morris presents the lecture Exploding the canon: Tate Modern at 25.

Rob Peace

18 - 26 October 2024

Multiple times available

Rob Peace grew up in an impoverished section of Newark living a dual life in academia earning degrees and selling on the streets…

Only The River Flows

28 September - 02 October 2024

Multiple times available

A gripping crime thriller, Only The River Flows will take you on a journey into one man’s obsession with finding the truth whatever it takes.

Opening Celebration | Leonora Carrington: Avatars & Alliances

25 October 2024

Multiple times available

Join us for a special evening event to celebrate the opening of ‘Avatars & Alliances’, Leonora Carrington’s debut exhibition in the East of England!