This exhibition marks the 50-year anniversary of Acorn Village in Manningtree, a charity dedicated to providing care and support for adults with learning disabilities since 1975, when it welcomed its first 13 residents. Over 50 diverse artworks showcase the creative legacy of…

• Castle Park Bandstand

A fan favourite, 'The Castle Park Bandstand Concerts' - presented by Cafe in the Park - return for another year. These concerts are free to attend and do not require pre-booking - turn up, grab a coffee, and listen to some wonderful music!

• Castle Park Bandstand

A fan favourite, 'The Castle Park Bandstand Concerts' - presented by Cafe in the Park - return for another year. These concerts are free to attend and do not require pre-booking - turn up, grab a coffee, and listen to some wonderful music!

Friends of Chappel School and The Swan Inn present the 2025 Chappel Duck Race! Come and cheer on your favourite as 650 (plastic) ducks race down the River Colne under the iconic Chappel Viaduct. Enjoy an afternoon of fun watching from the pub garden and adjacent play park as the…

• Chappel Galleries

The Debenhams Foreword by Martin Newell Charles Debenham (b 1933) paints without prejudice. He portrays the ordinary people and places of that part of England which raised him. A definitive Colchester ‘boy’, he’s rewarded his hometown and its environment with a…

• Colchester Castle Museum

The  Colchester: Then & Now  project is part of a wider engagement and outreach programme, taking photographs from the Museum archives into the community and sharing them with older people’s groups. These include sheltered housing residents, care homes, day…

This bold and unflinching exhibition challenges what we think we know, sparking new conversations about the psychological effects of transatlantic enslavement while honouring the resilience and strength Black communities have historically demonstrated. "The show explores the…

Come along to one of the fantastic National Garden Schemes Essex Open Days! Informal farmhouse garden of about an acre on an exposed site. Garden designed to make most of stunning views across Colne Valley to south and west, framed to north by listed house and farmyard…

The scenic walk, which has been going since 2011, starts from either Clacton or Walton Pier, taking in views of the sea. Participants can choose to walk either the 7 miles between the two piers or challenge themselves to make the return journey - 14 miles in all. This year, Pier…

Based on the novel by Dan Brown Dan Brown’s bestselling thriller novel comes alive in a way you’ve never seen before, in this electrifying stage adaptation written by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel. Professor Robert Langdon and fellow cryptologist Sophie Neveu embark…

This May, Browning Bros are opening up our woodland to something new! In collaboration with The Laundry Brixton, we’re hosting a weekend of open-fire feasting, with one of London’s best neighbourhood restaurants stepping into the trees at Teybrook Orchard. The Wild…

Delve into the relationship between writing and yourself using your personal experiences to create literary works of art. This creative writing workshops will address the relationship between writing and the self in a productive and fun way. It will explore how we can use our…

After 30 years Flook show no sign of letting up in their brilliance, their dynamism, or their inventive flair. What began in 1995 as a ground-breaking union of musicians and instruments, has continued as a unique musical offering through one live album, four studio albums and…

• Hollytrees Museum

This Valentine's Day, Colchester Museums announces the opening of a new exhibition at Hollytrees Museum: Margaret Cavendish: Trailblazer. Running from 14 February to 31 August 2025, the exhibition celebrates the life and legacy of Margaret Cavendish, a remarkable figure born…

In Alfie’s fantasy world, it’s hard to tell who he is – rockstar, guru, actor, shark. Which version of him is showing up today? Renowned autistic artists Cian Binchy (‘The Level’ ITV) and Anna Constable (‘Imposter 22’, Royal Court) bend…

Designed for children aged 2 1/2 to 4, along with their parents, grandparents, and carers, these monthly sessions offer an immersive journey of exploration and discovery. The May session will focus on Camouflage and Habitats. These sessions offer an opportunity for children and…

• Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve

Kingfishers will be the subject for this class. Explore painting with translucent layers and ink. Beginners welcome. Advanced booking is essential please call 01206 738172 to book your sessions at a cost of £25 per person. Everyone is welcome and no previous experience is…

Return to 1648 and the English Civil War; Colchester is under siege from General Fairfax and the Parliamentarian Army. Your guide will bring the sights and sounds of this dramatic period to life, while exploring how the Siege has left its mark on buildings across the city!…

We're talking all things The Inbetweeners at this special evening with actor/comedian Joe Thomas!   It wasn't long after audiences were first introduced to hapless sixth-formers Will McKenzie, Neil Sutherland, Jay Cartright and Simon Cooper that The Inbetweeners…

Come along to one of the fantastic National Garden Schemes Essex Open Days! There is always plenty to see in this peaceful 10 acre garden with two ponds and River Blackwater. Jewelled lawn in early April then spectacular tulips and blossom lead on to a huge number of…

This year celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Roman River Festival and the fourth year of the Spring Concert Series, which have become a staple part of North Essex cultural life, bringing world class performances to North Essex. This year is no exception, with performances by…

Concert III in the Spring Concert Series features Jonathan Leibovitz – an award-winning clarinettist who, over the past two seasons, has been announced as a prize-winner at the Young Classical Artists Trust and Concert Artists Guild International Auditions, a 2022 Classic…

Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes a multi-art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza where you can paint you pet – meow! Join us in the café/bar area for a lively, fun and creative evening. Unlike Boozy Brushes, where the subject is a different…

Smoke & Harmony: A Gourmet Feast with Live Music   Join us for an unforgettable evening of smoky flavors, soulful music, and great company at Smoke & Harmony, our gourmet food and music experience in partnership with The Hungry Hog.   Indulge in a delicious…

With 40 years' experience in the business and as the premier name in comedy, The Comedy Store is renowned as a breeding ground for new comedy talent, and remains the place to see tomorrow's stars today. The likes of John Bishop, Jimmy Carr, Rhod Gilbert and Sarah…