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.
See What's On and BookGive a child a happier future
Bring free art, meals and fun to families in Colchester this winter. Donate between 3-10 Dec and every pound you give will be matched by the Big Give!
Double Your DonationWhat'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.
Read moreFestive 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 moreExhibitions
Free
Jane Ostler: Finding the Hand of Kindness
12 October 2024 - 02 March 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 moreTours
Avatars & Alliances: Exhibition Tour
13 December 2024
6:30 pm
Experience the our Leonora Carrington exhibition with a tour by Programme Manager, Exhibitions George Morl.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Drag Life Drawing with Sirena Hart
04 January - 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.
Read moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Nature drawing workshop with Lisa Temple-Cox
08 December 2024 - 23 March 2025
Multiple times available
Explore observational drawing and discover your favourite medium with this nature drawing workshop.
Read moreCinema
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 moreCinema
Emilia Pérez
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.
Read moreCinema
André 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!
Read moreCinema
National Theatre Live: Prima Facie
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.
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.
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.
Read moreCinema
The Room Next Door
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.
Read moreCinema
CBeebies Panto: Beauty and the Beast (Relaxed)
08 December 2024
11:00 am
The annual CBeebies Panto is back this year to celebrate the joyous season with the CBeebies Panto: Beauty and the Beast!
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.
Read moreCinema
The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
20 - 27 December 2024
Multiple times available
Discover the enchantment of ballet with The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker, a sparkling festive treat for the whole family.
Read moreCinema
Watership Down (Relaxed)
07 December 2024
11:00 am
A group of rabbits flee their doomed warren and face many dangers to find and protect their new home in Watership Down.
Read moreCinema
A Christmas Carol (2020)
14 December 2024
2:00 pm
A Victorian family prepares a performance of the timeless story A Christmas Carol, in a magical world of dancers and stylised sets.
Read moreCinema
CBeebies Panto: Beauty and the Beast
07 December 2024
2:00 pm
The annual CBeebies Panto is back this year to celebrate the joyous season with the CBeebies Panto: Beauty and the Beast!
Read moreCinema
Exhibitions
Free
Halla Groves-Raines: Life in Patterns
16 November 2024 - 20 April 2025
Discover fresh perspectives from modern Essex and Suffolk through the faces and stories of its residents in an intimate portrait exhibition by Essex-based artist Halla Groves-Raines.
Read moreCinema
Cinema
Cinema
The Holiday (Captioned)
07 December 2024
3:45 pm
A woman plagued by man troubles finds her fortune improves when she befriends an Englishwoman while on vacation. Watch this screening for just £4 and donate your savings to our Big Give campaign!
Read moreCinema
It’s A Wonderful Life (Captioned)
20 December 2024
10:30 am
It’s a Wonderful Life shows how George Bailey finds his previously happy life falling apart around him on Christmas Eve.
Read moreCinema
Gladiator II
28 - 29 December 2024
Multiple times available
After witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum in Gladiator II.
Read moreCinema
Small Things Like These (Captioned)
12 December 2024
5:40 pm
Cillian Murphy delivers a stunning performance as devoted father Bill Furlong in Small Things Like These, based on a best-selling novel.
Read moreCinema
Cinema
The Royal Opera: The Tales of Hoffmann
19 January 2025
2:00 pm
Four women: four curious love stories. Juan Diego Flórez leads a fantastic cast in the Royal Ballet and Opera: The Tales of Hoffman.
Read moreBecome 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.
Shop online
Make the most of your visit
Latest news
Make Double the Impact: Help Create Happier Futures This Winter
2 December 2024
Donate between 3 and 10 December to double your impact and help families in need this winter We are delighted to be part of this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge. For one week only, your donations to…
Read more