What’s On

Michael Landy: The Essex Way

See a large-scale collage along our building’s magnificent 140m curved wall, created by artist Michael Landy.

Michael Landy: Essex Man (after Collet)

See artist Michael Landy’s artwork ‘Essex Man (after Collet)’ (2021) – a larger-than-life standing figure in our Welcome Area made from a hand drawn reproduction of the original ‘Essex Man’ illustration by Edward Collet in a 1990s Sunday Telegraph.

Sculpture at Firstsite

See artworks by artists Sarah Lucas, Ryan Gander, Julian Opie and Bharti Kher in our new sculpture park.

Simon Carter and Jevan Watkins Jones: Shore Lines

Imagine two drawings by two artists drifting across a five-mile stretch of salt-water, merging and morphing on the surface as they meet. Artists Simon Carter and Jevan Watkins Jones collaborate in this collection of charcoal drawings inspired by their…

Keep Being Amazing

Explore the ground-breaking Firstsite Holiday Fun programme through vibrant artworks in this interactive exhibition celebrating the fun, friendly and creative ethos of Holiday Fun and the families who attend.

Parent and Toddler

These artist-led sessions provide a safe and fun environment for children under 5 and parents/carers to use their imagination and curiosity to explore, test and experiment with a range of art activities and materials.

The Singh Twins: Slaves of Fashion exhibition activities

Enjoy free participatory art activities as part of the current exhibition, The Singh Twins: Slaves of Fashion.    Lightbox activity The Singh Twins make their lightbox artworks by moving images around on a computer. They think carefully about where…

The Singh Twins: Slaves of Fashion

See vast intricate and colourful artworks from internationally acclaimed artists, The Singh Twins. Delve into hidden details of Europe’s colonial past and its legacies, including current debates around ethical trade, responsible consumerism and decolonisation and racism.

Limitless Street Dance

Breakdance skills for 8 – 14 year olds. Join the Limitless dancers Andi Mill and Isaac James to try out the basics of street dancing in a cool, fun and energetic environment.

Holiday Fun Summer 2022: Canteen

Enjoy freshly made hot meals for all the family over the Summer half term school holiday at Firstsite’s canteen in Colchester town centre.

Minions: The Rise Of Gru

This summer, from the biggest global animated franchise in history, comes the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled in Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Harwich Holiday Fun Summer 2022: Make

Get making over the Summer half term school holidays with a variety of free, creative activities in Harwich. 

Harwich Holiday Fun Summer 2022: Multisports

Keep the kids active and entertained over the Summer school holidays with fun sports activities taking place at the Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre.

Holiday Fun Summer 2022: Multi-sports

Keep the kids active and entertained over the Summer school holiday with fun sports activities taking place on Firstsite’s lawn in Colchester town centre

The Railway Children Return (Relaxed)

Inspired by one of the most beloved British family films of all time, THE RAILWAY CHILDREN RETURN is an enchanting, moving and heart-warming adventure for a new generation.

YAK | Young Art Kommunity

Young Art Kommunity (YAK) is Firstsite’s young-people peer led group which organises events and activities within the gallery and in the wider community.

The Good Boss

Javier Bardem excels as a corporate boss, who will tell you he’s your best friend just as he’s stabbing you in the back, in this ruthlessly funny corporate satire.

Holiday Fun Summer 2022: Make

Get making over the Summer school holidays with a variety of free, creative activities.

Where The Crawdads Sing

For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, isolating the sharp and resilient Kya from her community. Drawn to two young men from town, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world; but when one of them is found dead, she is immediately cast by the community as the main suspect.

DC League Of Super Pets (Relaxed)

Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side.

Kino Dreams: Kings Of The Road (4K)

Bruno, witnesses the sad sight of a VW beetle car storming straight into the River Elbe. An impromptu relationship begins

Fire Of Love

FIRE OF LOVE tells a story of primordial creation and destruction, following two bold explorers as they venture into the unknown, all for the sake of love.

The Singh Twins in conversation

Please note that this event has been cancelled. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the artists are no longer able to do this talk. Those who have booked to attend will be contacted by our team to organise a refund.  Join…

National Theatre Live: Prima Facie

Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) makes her West End debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning play.

Holiday Fun Summer 2022: Street Dance

Children can show off their best moves over the Summer school holiday with Street Dance at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester!

Brian & Charles (Parent & Baby)

Without friends or family to rely on, Brian decides to build a robot for company.

‘Charles’ is not only Brian’s most successful invention, but he appears to have a personality all of his own and quickly becomes Brian’s best friend, curing his loneliness and opening Brian’s eyes to a new way of living.

Art in the Community

Art in the Community sessions are for people who use creativity to improve their well-being, and for recovery from mental and physical issues

Minions: The Rise Of Gru (Relaxed)

This summer, from the biggest global animated franchise in history, comes the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled in Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Holiday Fun Summer 2022: Drumming

Learn the basics of African Drumming with drumming tutor Hassan who is experienced in teaching people of all levels.

Where The Crawdads Sing (captioned)

Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina.

Joyride

Joy is angry – she’s got a baby and motherhood does not come naturally to her; she feels she’s tossed her own dreams aside to give a screeching monster unconditional love.

Kino Dreams: The Salt Of The Earth

Salgado’s accomplished, moving work and his inspirational life are revealed to us in this Oscar-nominated documentary by his son, Juliano Salgado, and world-renowned filmmaker Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club, Wings of Desire, Paris, Texas, Pina), himself an avid photographer.

Hit The Road

Driving across endless miles of rugged landscape, a family navigates a long road trip alongside a range of conflicting emotions.

The Harder They Come (Re 2022)

Wishing to become a successful Reggae singer, a young Jamaican man finds himself tied to corrupt record producers and drug pushers.

Kino Dreams: The American Friend (4K)

Tom Ripley, who deals in forged art, suggests a picture framer he knows would make a good hit man.

Fadia’s Tree

Spanning fifteen years, this story of a friendship that stays connected across a divided land and a fragmented people adopts a birds’ eye perspective to reflect on freedom of movement, exile and the hope of return.

The Railway Children Return

Inspired by one of the most beloved British family films of all time, THE RAILWAY CHILDREN RETURN is an enchanting, moving and heart-warming adventure for a new generation.

Mahanagar (The Big City) (Re: 2022)

Life at home changes when a housewife from a middle-class, conservative family in Calcutta gets a job as a saleswoman.

Dance and Movement for Well-being

A gentle session for over 60s to ease joint mobility, improve agility, balance and self-awareness in movement. Every Friday 10:30am during term times.

Where Is Anne Frank

Fiery teenager Kitty, Anne Frank’s imaginary friend to whom her famous diary is dedicated, comes to life in the modern day in the Amsterdam house where Anne had taken refuge with her family.

Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War

ERIC RAVILIOUS: DRAWN TO WAR is a true story. Eric Ravilious is as compelling and enigmatic as his art.

Opening Celebration | Mehdi Jalalaghdamian: Art In Exile

Join us to celebrate the opening of our Museum of the year Exhibition, Mehdi Jalalaghdamian: Art in Exile.

Mehdi Jalalaghdamian: Art In Exile

Artist, Mehdi Jalal Aghdamian, draws attention to the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide through the traditional craft of Persian rug making

Colchester Record Fair

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.  

Blind Ambition + Q&A

An unlikely team of Zimbabwean refugees turned sommeliers shake up the international wine establishment when they compete in the World Wine Tasting Championships. ‘Blind Ambition’ is an inspiring underdog story for the ages.

Kino Dreams: Paris, Texas

Travis Henderson, an aimless drifter who has been missing for four years, wanders out of the desert and must reconnect with society, himself, his life, and his family.

Eiffel

Set in 1880s Belle Epoque Paris, the film follows Gustave Eiffel (Romain Duris) as he embarks upon the all-consuming task of designing and constructing one of the world’s best-loved land-marks – the Eiffel Tower.

Kino Dreams: Pina

This film explores the life and work of this artist of movement while we see her company perform her most notable creations where basic things like water, dirt and even gravity take on otherworldly qualities in their dancing. 

Laal Singh Chaddha

‘Laal Singh Chaddha’, a simple man whose extraordinary journey will fill you with love, warmth and happiness. Watch Laal’s beautiful journey in cinemas worldwide on August 11th.

Where is Anne Frank (Parent & Baby)

Fiery teenager Kitty, Anne Frank’s imaginary friend to whom her famous diary is dedicated, comes to life in the modern day in the Amsterdam house where Anne had taken refuge with her family.

National Theatre Live: Much Ado About Nothing

The legendary hotel Messina on the Italian Riveria has been visited by artists, celebrities and royalty.

Anaïs In Love

A free-spirited but directionless young woman embarks on an affair with a charismatic older woman in this sparkling and elegant romantic comedy.

Nope

Oscar winner Jordan Peele disrupted and redefined modern horror with Get Out and then Us. Now, he reimagines the summer movie with a new pop nightmare: the expansive horror epic, Nope.

Rice and Spice Festival

Celebrate Colchester’s diverse community through food, music and performances at the town’s annual festival of Rice and Spice – including children’s activities, workshops and a huge variety of food stalls.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (Director’s Ed 4K)

For the first time on the big-screen, director Robert Wise’s definitive vision, eagerly anticipated by Star Trek fans for over two decades, has been meticulously restored and remastered with enhanced visual effects.

Girls Can’t Surf

‘Girls Can’t Surf’ is a feature documentary which tells the untold story of how a band of renegade surfer girls in the 1980s fought to create their own professional sport, changing surf culture forever.

My Old School

The astonishing true story of Scotland’s most notorious imposter. It’s 1993 and 16 year old Brandon is the new kid in school. Soon he’s top of the class, acing exams and taking the lead in the school musical. He’s the model pupil, until he’s unmasked…

Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (Director’s Cut 4K)

One of the most celebrated and essential adventures from the Star Trek universe, ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan’ celebrates 40 years with the director’s cut on the big screen.

Glyndebourne’s La bohème

In La bohème Puccini elevates ordinary people to the level of the extraordinary, the tragic, the timeless –transformed by a score that has seduced generations of audiences

Joyride (Parent & Baby)

Joy (Colman) and Mully (Reid) are two lovable rogues. Joy is angry – she’s got a baby and motherhood does not come naturally to her; she feels she’s tossed her own dreams aside to give a screeching monster unconditional love.

Mr Malcolm’s List

Julia is a society lady jilted by London’s most eligible bachelor Mr. Malcolm, when she fails to meet one of the items on his list of requirements for a bride. Feeling shunned and humiliated, she enlists her friend Selina to help her take revenge.

The Feast

When a wealthy family and their guests gather for a dinner party in the remote Welsh countryside, they have little idea of what awaits them in this carnivorously chilling new horror film. Find out more at www.thefeast.film

Official Competition

Penelope Cruz stars as a brilliant but demanding director who casts a mainstream-blockbuster actor (Antonio Banderas) and an esoteric theatre performer (Oscar Martinez) to lead her next project.

Mr Malcolm’s List (Parent & Baby)

Julia is a society lady jilted by London’s most eligible bachelor Mr. Malcolm, when she fails to meet one of the items on his list of requirements for a bride. Feeling shunned and humiliated, she enlists her friend Selina to help her take revenge.

Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO

The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals, who carry on its spirit, have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves “Super Heroes”. They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan…

It Snows In Benidorm

Bank worker Peter lives a grey life in Manchester dealing with late repayments and posting daily about the weather. After an unexpected early retirement, he decides to visit his brother in Benidorm only to discover that he has disappeared.

Her Way

Marie (Calamy) is a confident, optimistic sex worker in Strasbourg who is determined to provide a better life for her 17-year-old son, Adrien (Nissim Renard). He is a bottomless pit of apathy and negativity whose only passion in life is for cooking.

The Royal Opera House: Madama Butterfly (Live)

On a starlit night in Nagasaki, these are the words spoken by American naval officer Pinkerton to young geisha Cio-Cio-San.

RSC: Richard III (Live)

Young Richard of Gloucester uses the chaos of the Wars of the Roses to begin his unscrupulous climb to power in this classic Shakespearean history of a king in the throes of jealousy and murder.

The Royal Opera House: Madama Butterfly (Encore)

On a starlit night in Nagasaki, these are the words spoken by American naval officer Pinkerton to young geisha Cio-Cio-San.

But as they both learn, words and promises carelessly spoken can have indelible consequences.

The Royal Ballet: Mayerling (Live)

Inspired by dark and gripping real-life events, this Royal Ballet classic depicts the sexual and morbid obsessions of Crown Prince Rudolf leading to the murder-suicide scandal with his mistress Mary Vetsera.

National Theatre Live: Jack Absolute Flies Again

A rollicking new comedy by Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) and Oliver Chris (Twelfth Night).

Billy Joel Live at Yankee Stadium

In celebration of 50 years of Billy Joel, “Live at Yankee Stadium” comes to the big screen for a special two-night fan event.

The Royal Ballet: Mayerling (Encore)

Inspired by dark and gripping real-life events, this Royal Ballet classic depicts the sexual and morbid obsessions of Crown Prince Rudolf leading to the murder-suicide scandal with his mistress Mary Vetsera.

The Royal Opera House: Aida (Live)

Princess Aida has been kidnapped: a valuable prize in a war between Egypt and Ethiopia.

The Royal Opera House: Aida (Encore)

In this new production, director Robert Carsen situates Verdi’s large-scale political drama within a contemporary world, framing its power struggles and toxic jealousies in the apparatus of a modern, totalitarian state.

The Royal Opera House: La Bohème (Live)

Penniless writer Rodolfo believes that art is all he needs – until he meets Mimì, the lonely seamstress who lives upstairs.

The Royal Opera House: La Bohème (Encore)

Penniless writer Rodolfo believes that art is all he needs – until he meets Mimì, the lonely seamstress who lives upstairs.

So begins a timeless love story that blooms, fades, and rekindles with the passing seasons.

But while the couple’s friends Marcello and Musetta passionately row and make up, a force greater than love threatens Rodolfo and Mimì.

National Theatre Live: The Seagull

Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) makes her West End debut in this 21st-century retelling of Anton Chekhov’s tale of love and loneliness.

The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration (Live)

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Friends of Covent Garden, this programme recognizes the amazing support of all ROH Friends past and present.

The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration (Encore)

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Friends of Covent Garden, this programme recognizes the amazing support of all ROH Friends past and present.

The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker (Live)

Peter Wright’s much-loved production for The Royal Ballet, with gorgeous period designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman, keeps true to the spirit of this festive ballet classic, combining the thrill of the fairy tale with spectacular classical dancing

National Theatre Live: The Crucible

A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power with Erin Doherty (The Crown) and Brendan Cowell (Yerma). Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words…

National Theatre Live: Othello

Wed in secret, Desdemona and Othello crave a new life together. But as unseen forces conspire against them, they find their future is not theirs to decide.