What's on - Holiday Season Experiences
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Celebrate the festive season this year in Colchester at Firstsite! With a variety of creative, fun, and community-focused events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at our Holiday Season Experiences.
From hands-on workshops to seasonal cinema screenings and special holiday activities, our festive events offer experiences for all ages.
Join us to experience creativity, imagination, and togetherness during this joyful time of year.
Explore more of our festive highlights! Our Festive Workshops offer hands-on seasonal making sessions for adults and Handmade Holidays for families. Festive Films take you on a journey through your most beloved Christmas stories on the big screen.
Plus, browse a range of Festive Events hosted by independent community partners who hire our spaces and Firstsite.
Don’t forget to also discover festive gifts, advent calendars and cards, and decorations inspired by art, design, and local heritage at the Firstsite Shop.Â
Cinema
The Royal Ballet: Cinderella
Sunday 30 November 2025
2:00 pm
Cinderella’s dreary and dull life changes when she helps a mysterious woman out in The Royal Ballet: Cinderella!
Find out moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Mini Movers & Makers Toddler Group
Thursday 04 December 2025
10:00 am
More times available
Artist-led toddler group provides a fun environment for children to explore sensory storytelling and experiment with a range of art activities.
Find out moreCommunity and Partners
Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Market
Saturday 06 December 2025
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Have a handmade shopping day. The people in your life deserves something special and for a totally unique gift, you cannot beat handmade.
Find out moreFestive Workshops
Children & Families
Air Dry Clay Decorations
Saturday 06 December 2025
11:00 am
More times available
Celebrate the festive season with our Air Dry Clay Decorations, fun and hands-on creative workshop with local clay artist Lizzie Croucher.
Find out moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Origami Workshop
Saturday 06 December 2025
4:00 pm
More times available
In our Origami Workshop, Lu Yu will guide you step by step through the creation of specific origami shapes in this ancient art form!
Find out moreCinema
André Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert: Merry Christmas
Saturday 06 December 2025
4:15 pm
More times available
This holiday season, the magic and joyful carols begin on the big screen with André Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert: Merry Christmas.
Find out moreCinema
Merrily We Roll Along
Thursday 11 December 2025
5:15 pm
More times available
Spanning three decades, Merrily We Roll Along charts the turbulent relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends
Find out moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Boozy Brushes
Friday 12 December 2025
7:30 pm
More times available
Join Sirena Hart for Boozy Brushes at Firstsite – our New Multi-Art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza!
Find out moreCinema
A Paw Patrol Christmas (Relaxed)
Saturday 13 December 2025
11:00 am
In A Paw Patrol Christmas, Rubble is looking forward to a new laser drill, but things take a turn when Santa can’t deliver!
Find out moreFestive Workshops
Children & Families
Nutcracker Gingerbread Decorating
Sunday 14 December 2025
10:30 am
More times available
Bring your gingerbread Nutcracker to life with colourful icing in our Handmade Holidays: Nutcracker Gingerbread Decorating workshop!
Find out moreCinema
The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
Sunday 14 December 2025
2:00 pm
More times available
In The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker, the magician Drosselmeyer needs to save his nephew. Hans-Peter has been transformed into a Nutcracker.
Find out moreCourses, Clubs & Classes
Wreath Making
Sunday 14 December 2025
2:00 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.
Find out moreCinema
CBeebies Panto 2025: Cinderella
Sunday 21 December 2025
11:00 am
More times available
CBeebies Panto 2025: Cinderella is full of music, magic and festive fun for all the family – plus a song exclusive to cinemas!
Find out moreTalks & Events
The Firstsite Art Fair
Saturday 28 February 2026
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
The Firstsite Art Fair brings together a diverse range of artists, collectors, art lovers and all who are simply curios about art.
Find out more