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, fun and stylish products in our shop.
Experience our new exhibition EVEWRIGHT: Libation, free admission for all!
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Top picks
Exhibitions
Free
EVEWRIGHT: Libation
08 July - 29 October 2023
‘Libation’ marks EVEWRIGHT’s first solo exhibition in a public gallery, showcasing a collection of new and seminal works spanning 20 years. The exhibition’s title, ‘Libation’, refers to the ceremonial pouring of a liquid to pay homage to ancestors or…
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Libations & Conversations – A celebration of Black history, creativity and culture
27 October 2023
6:00 pm
Join us for an evening celebrating Black history, art, and culture, featuring the artists and performers EVEWRIGHT, Elsa James, Harold Offeh and Dr ‘H’ Patten.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart
07 October 2023 - 03 February 2024
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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Free
@background_bob and his amazing friends…back again!
01 April - 08 October 2023
Essex artist @background_bob returns to Firstsite for his third energetic and uplifting exhibition. ‘Back again!’ features over 270 collaborative artworks created by @background_bob with leading international street and graffiti artists including Mr Doodle, Shepard Fairey and Wrdsmith, other big…
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Weekly Watercolour for Beginners with Justine Moss
03 August - 07 December 2023
Multiple times available
Join our weekly group for watercolourists of all levels where you will be introduced to the materials, techniques and colour
theory to develop your paintings.
Cinema
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
13 September - 01 October 2023
Multiple times available
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake returns to cinemas and is ‘as bold and beautiful as ever’ (★★★★★ Telegraph).
Read moreCommunity and Partners
Free
Colchester Record Fair
18 November 2023 - 05 November 2022
Multiple times available
Colchester’s Record Fair returns to Firstsite, a treat for both enthusiasts and casual collectors alike. Come browse through stall holders’ collections of vinyl and CDs from a vast range of genres. Grab yourself a bargain – or perhaps something a little rarer.
Read moreCinema
A Little Life
28 - 30 September 2023
Multiple times available
A Little Life follows four college friends in New York City: aspiring actor Willem, successful architect Malcolm, struggling artist JB, and prodigious lawyer Jude.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
S&B Sunday Sessions
06 August - 29 October 2023
Multiple times available
Join the S&B ladies for a fun and relaxed Sunday as we host 2 different seasonal themed creative sessions for people aged 14+ of all abilities.
Read moreCinema
The Royal Opera House: The Nutcracker
17 December 2023
1:45 pm
Discover the enchantment of ballet with this sparkling festive treat for the whole family.
Read moreCinema
Cinema
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
22 September - 11 October 2023
Multiple times available
Follows Ugandan opposition leader, activist and musical star Bobi Wine. He used his music to fight the regime led by Yoweri Museveni.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Knitting for Newbies with Clare Sams
05 August - 10 December 2023
Multiple times available
Yarn artist Clare Sams introduces you to the wonders of wool using knitting and crochet.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Boozy Brushes
25 August 2023 - 16 February 2024
Multiple times available
Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes – our New Multi-Art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza!
Read moreCinema
Past Lives
29 September - 05 October 2023
Multiple times available
Past Lives showing now! Join two childhood friends for one fateful week in New York as they confront notions of destiny and love.
Read moreCinema
Theater Camp
29 September - 04 October 2023
Multiple times available
Amos and Rebecca-Diane – lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York, band together to keep their beloved summer camp afloat.
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Landscape Drawing – A Discovery Day with Simon Carter
20 October 2023 - 28 January 2024
Multiple times available
Join Simon for a day of intensive study into landscapes, working in the grounds of Firstsite (weather permitting) with a delicious lunch included.
Read moreCinema
AngelHeaded Hipster + Recorded Q&A
06 October 2023
7:00 pm
AngelHeaded Hipster celebrates the life and work of glam rock pioneer Marc Bolan, combined with a behind-the-scenes look at the tribute album.
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Everyone Can Draw Supper
14 October 2023 - 20 January 2024
Multiple times available
Join artist Samantha Barnes for Drawing Art Suppers – our new light-hearted, confidence-inducing workshop including delicious food and drawing.
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Mark-making workshop with Lucy Scott
04 August - 08 December 2023
Multiple times available
Try something spontaneous, immediate and mindful with this meditative workshop
Read moreCinema
A Haunting in Venice
13 - 19 October 2023
Multiple times available
A Haunting in Venice follows yet another detective Poirot adventure, as he stumbles upon a murder while reluctantly attending a seance.
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Air Dry Clay Workshop – Winter Decorations Ages 8-16
03 December 2023
10:30 am
This is a fun and exciting opportunity to get your children into the festive spirit and create special and unique clay winter decorations to be treasured.
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Candle Making Festive Workshop
08 December 2023
Multiple times available
A fun, relaxing two-hour workshop to guide you through the process of making your own hand-poured scented candle to take home.
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Fremont (Captioned)
10 October 2023
1:30 pm
Formerly a translator for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, Donya struggles to rebuild her life in Fremont and works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory.
Read moreCinema
Cinema
Hocus Pocus (30th Anniversary)
24 - 27 October 2023
Multiple times available
The Sanderson Sisters are making their way back to the big screen in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Hocus Pocus first release back in 1993!
Read moreCinema
Once Upon a Time in Uganda
08 - 19 October 2023
Multiple times available
Once upon a time in Uganda two unlikely friends from opposite sides of the world unite over their shared love of Chuck Norris.
Read moreCinema
Stop Making Sense (Remastered)
20 October 2023
2:00 pm
Experience once again the newly restored Stop Making Sense now in 4K, a 1984 film, considered as the greatest concert film of all time.
Read moreCinema
The Canterville Ghost
22 - 26 October 2023
Multiple times available
In this adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic children’s story, the ghost of Sir Simon Canterville has been roaming his castle for centuries.
Read moreCinema
The Exorcist (50th Anniversary)
28 - 29 October 2023
Multiple times available
Widely considered the greatest horror film ever made, The Exorcist comes back to the big screen to celebrate its 50th anniversary!
Read moreCinema
The Lesson (Parent & Baby)
12 October 2023
11:30 am
The Lesson tells a story of an aspiring writer Liam who accepts a tutoring position at the family estate of his idol author J.M. Sinclair.
Read moreCinema
The Old Oak
20 October 2023
4:15 pm
Follow the story around the last remaining pub, The Old Oak in the Northeast England, where people are leaving the land as the mines are closed.
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Take a look at 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
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
Party at Firstsite
Make the most of your visit
Latest news
Exciting upgrades are coming to our cinema!
29 September 2023
We will be upgrading our cinema at the end of October to improve our sound system, lighting and projection system.
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