Opening Celebration | Simon Carter: From the Landscape

18 September 2026

Multiple times available

For his biggest exhibition yet, Frinton-based artist Simon Carter is transforming our galleries into a hand-painted landscape you can walk through and explore from within.

Arpita Shah: Nalini

13 June - 04 October 2026

Developed across India, East Africa and the UK, discover a photographic series that explores the connected histories of Arpita Shah, her mother, and grandmother.

Exhibition on Screen: James McNeill Whistler

20 September 2026

Multiple times available

In an era of great change and great beauty emerged the character of James McNeill Whistler. Considered by some to be one of the great innovators of 19th century art, he was a contemporary of the Impressionists, much admired by Van Gogh and Manet.

Simon Carter: From the Landscape

19 September 2026 - 17 January 2027

Lose yourself inside a giant painting as Simon Carter transforms our gallery into an immersive landscape inspired by the Essex coast.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (4K Remaster) (Relaxed)

26 - 27 September 2026

Multiple times available

A resourceful young witch uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt.

Boozy Brushes – Paint Your Pal

25 September 2026

Multiple times available

Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes a multi-art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza where you can your pal!

Fallen Angels by Noël Coward

22 - 25 October 2026

Multiple times available

Sparkling, dizzying, and deliciously potent, Fallen Angels, Noël Coward’s champagne-fresh comedy of bad manners, shocked and delighted audiences at its 1925 premiere.

Duncan Grant: Worlds Through Desire: From Drawing to Cruising to DMs

11 July - 08 November 2026

Bringing together artworks, stories and poetry from three generations of voices, explore how LGBT+ people have sought desire, such as friendship, community, and intimacy, across changing times and technologies.

Paint Like…

18 September 2026

Multiple times available

Learn how to recreate iconic artworks in a supportive and guided environment with our Paint Like… workshop.

Mini Movers & Makers Toddler Group

24 September - 01 October 2026

Multiple times available

Artist-led toddler group provides a fun environment for children to explore sensory storytelling and experiment with a range of art activities.

Rewilding Imagination Labs

01 October - 12 November 2026

Multiple times available

A monthly gathering for artists, creatives, and the curious to explore the uncharted territories of imagination.

Trust The Process: Observational Drawing

15 October - 17 December 2026

Multiple times available

Our four-part Trust the Process: Observational Drawing workshop invites you to explore the foundations of observational art.

Boozy Brushes

16 October 2026

Multiple times available

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

Royal Ballet Live: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

28 March 2027

1:45 pm - 4:50 pm

At a garden party on a sunny afternoon, Alice is surprised to see her parents’ friend Lewis Carroll transform into a white rabbit.

Build A Paper Animal Sculpture With Lino Printing (2-Part Workshop)

27 - 28 February 2027

10:30 am

Explore paper sculpture and lino printing in this two-part creative workshop inspired by vintage decorative art and handmade animal sculptures.

Watercolour Workshop

19 September 2026 - 07 February 2027

Multiple times available

Explore the materials, techniques and colour theory used to develop your watercolour paintings in this relaxed social session.

GIANT The Play

19 - 22 November 2026

Multiple times available

GIANT, the 5-star critically acclaimed play starring John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon, TheCrown) as Roald Dahl, comes to the big screen.

& Sons

18 - 23 September 2026

Multiple times available

A genre-defying, darkly comedic drama starring an A-list cast, including Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, George MacKay, Dominic West, Johnny Flynn, and Noah Jupe.

Coyote Vs. Acme (Relaxed)

19 September 2026

11:00 am - 12:46 pm

After enduring years of catastrophic product failures at the hands of ACME, Inc., a tenacious, unemployed coyote uncovers a corporate cover-up.

Bitter Christmas (Captioned)

26 September 2026

8:00 pm - 10:06 pm

From iconic director Pedro Almodóvar, and starring Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Milena Smit, Carmen Machi, Bárbara Lennie, Rossy de Palma and Leonardo Sbaraglia

Comic Strip Presents… + Q&A

31 October 2026

6:30 pm - 9:50 pm

Comic Strip… showcases a selection of classic films and highlights from the iconic comedy series, followed by a live Q&A with special guests.

Coyote Vs. Acme

18 - 22 September 2026

Multiple times available

After enduring years of catastrophic product failures at the hands of ACME, Inc., a tenacious, unemployed coyote uncovers a corporate cover-up.

Create an Expressive Landscape Painting Inspired by Van Gogh and Munch

25 October 2026

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Explore expressive landscape painting in this hands-on oil painting workshop inspired by the bold colour, movement and energetic brushwork of early Expressionism.

National Theatre Live: The Misanthrope (Captioned)

11 October 2026

2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Award-winner Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) plays the title role in this razor-sharp reimagining of Molière’s classic dark comedy.

Against the Tide

10 October 2026 - 28 February 2027

From ambition and creativity to isolation and inequality, explore intimate photographs and first-hand accounts documenting what life is really like for young people growing up in coastal Britain.

Bitter Christmas

30 September - 01 October 2026

Multiple times available

From iconic director Pedro Almodóvar, and starring Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Milena Smit, Carmen Machi, Bárbara Lennie, Rossy de Palma and Leonardo Sbaraglia.

Make Your Own Willow Lantern

30 October 2026

5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Create your own handcrafted willow lantern in this practical making workshop, where you’ll learn traditional willow construction techniques to design a unique lantern for your home or garden.

Hanging By A Wire

25 September - 01 October 2026

Multiple times available

When a cable car malfunctions in the mountains, eight people including six students are trapped high above a valley.

National Theatre Live: Golden Boy (Captioned)

20 November 2026

6:00 pm - 9:15 pm

Josh O’Connor (The Crown; Challengers) leads the cast in this searing revival of Clifford Odets’ knockout American classic.

The Pout-Pout Fish

02 - 07 October 2026

Multiple times available

Mr Fish, a prickly recluse, and Pip, a hyperactive sea dragon, must embark on a daunting undersea quest in search of a mythical, wish-granting fish to save their homes.

Monoprint Day: Texture, Gesture & Etching Press

13 March 2027

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Discover the expressive world of monoprinting in this hands-on creative session exploring texture, movement and abstraction through drawing and printmaking techniques.

The Death Of Robin Hood

02 - 03 October 2026

Multiple times available

The Death Of Robin Hood is a darker reimagining of the classic Robin Hood tale. Set of its time, the film sees the title character grappling with his past