WHAT'S ON IN COLCHESTER

Keep Colchester Cool is your guide to what’s on in Colchester, covering live music, theatre, comedy, arts and local events across the city. Discover gigs, festivals and cultural events happening this week and beyond.
 
From Colchester Arts Centre and the Mercury Theatre to independent venues and community spaces, explore the latest Colchester events below and plan your next day or night out.

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UPCOMING EVENTS IN COLCHESTER

Toto The Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape | Thu 2 – Sat 18 Apr 2026

A Mercury Theatre, Little Angel Theatre and Mayflower Southampton co-production.A brand-new family musical for everyone over the age of 5!Meet Toto. She might look like an ordinary cat, but she’s[...]

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02 - 16 Apr 2026 11:00 am
Mercury Theatre Colchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester
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Toto The Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape

A Mercury Theatre Colchester, Little Angel Theatre and Mayflower Southampton co-production. A brand-new family musical for everyone over the age of 5! Meet Toto. She might look like an ordinary cat,[...]

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02 - 18 Apr 2026 11:00 am - 6:30 pm
Mercury Theatre, Mercury Theatre
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Live music with Retro Duo

Get out over the Easter weekend and enjoy some classic retro tunes in your local pub.

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04 Apr 2026 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Ye Olde Albion Pub, High Street, Rowhedge
Colchester, CO5 7ES GB
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The Rec Community Market – Easter Edition

🐣 The Rec Community Market – Easter Edition 🐣Join us for a fun, family-friendly Easter day out at the Rec!📅 Sunday 5th April⏰ 10am – 4pm📍 Old Heath Recreation Ground,[...]

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05 Apr 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Colchester old heath Recreation Ground, Colchester old heath Recreation Ground
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Irish/Scottish Folk Jam

Everyone welcome to join in or listen.Traditional Folk Jam

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05 Apr 2026 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
1-2 Castle Road, Colchester, UK, 1-2 Castle Road, Colchester, UK
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Alasdair Beckett-King: King of Crumbs

Sale Dates and Times:Public Onsale : Thu, 16 Oct 2025 at 10:00 AMTicketmaster Presale : Wed, 15 Oct 2025 at 10:00 AM

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05 Apr 2026 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester Arts Centre
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TWM Colchester Film, TV & Music Quiz 61

Test your knowledge of all things film, TV and music, all whilst raising money for an incredible cause!- Book by selecting the date of the quiz and choosing quiz booking[...]

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06 Apr 2026 7:10 pm - 10:10 pm
Three Wise Monkeys Colchester,

The Mercury Sessions – How to Market Your Creatives Business with Rhi Howard

The Mercury Sessions are monthly, business focused conversations for creatives offering practical insight, sector knowledge, and the chance to connect with peers.How to market your creatives business with Rhi Howard[...]

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07 Apr 2026 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Mercury Theatre Colchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester
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Monochrome Print League Competition – 3rd Round

Appraisal by Jonathan VainesHeader Image: Kultar Island, Faroes - Chrissie Hart ARPS DPAGB

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07 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Ireton Road, CO3 3AT Colchester, United Kingdom, Ireton Road, CO3 3AT Colchester, United Kingdom
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The Talented Mr Ripley

“I never wanted to murder anyone. It was necessary.”Step into a world of deception, desire, and deadly ambition. How far would you go to become someone else?Tom Ripley is a[...]

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07 - 11 Apr 2026 7:30 pm
Balkerne Gate, CO1 1PT Colchester, United Kingdom, Balkerne Gate, CO1 1PT Colchester, United Kingdom
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The Crazy World of Arthur Brown + Valhallans

Tickets £26.50.Doors open 7.30pm, starts 8pm.This gig is for a standing audience.Arthur Brown is synonymous with his 1968 hit “Fire” and the Hammond-driven “Crazy World” line-up which spawned it. However,[...]

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07 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom,

After Hours Castle Guided Tour

Step inside Colchester Castle after hours on 10 April 2026 for an evening of history brought to life.Explore hidden corners, Roman foundations and the iconic Great Stairs as your expert[...]

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10 Apr 2026 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm
Colchester Castle, Colchester Castle
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dean frost full band headline

EP release show with full band'two minds' EP out 10/4 featuring 6 tracksCD with additional live versions will be available at the shows toosupport from les joy and kitty perrinDoors[...]

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10 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Three Wise Monkeys Colchester,

Arm knitting workshop

Join us for a creative and inspiring Arm Knitting Workshop on Saturday 11th April,10.30am - 1pm, held at the workroom next to Colcheco.Join us for a relaxed and friendly Arm[...]

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11 Apr 2026 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Colcheco, Colcheco
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MODEZ OF VIBRATION PRESENTS MOVING FUSION

MODEZ OF VIBRATION PRESENTS MOVING FUSIONDOING A 2 HOUR OLD SKOOL SET from the Days of Vinyl11.30 till 1.30DJS MOVING FUSION, SPA FUNK QUEENIE CHINGordon B Blockzie Gallier Riley V,[...]

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11 - 12 Apr 2026 12:00 pm - 4:00 am
Baba’s Bar, Baba's Bar
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Beginners Embroidery Workshop

Join us for a creative Beginners Embroidery Workshop on Saturday 11th April, 2pm - 4pm £25PP held at the workroom next to Colcheco.Join us for a relaxed and welcoming beginners[...]

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11 Apr 2026 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Colcheco, Colcheco
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Raver Tots Colchester with Matt Jam Lamont

Raver Tots is coming to Colchester!BOOK NOW - https://link.dice.fm/ea30963af0d1WITH SPECIAL GUEST - MATT JAM LAMONTRaver Tots is the Ultimate Family Dance Party Suitable for ALL AGES!Get the kids active at[...]

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11 Apr 2026 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Trilogy Colchester, Trilogy Colchester
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Colchester Arts Centre

Dire Streets bring to life the classic songs of one of the world’s greatest guitar bands with a level of musicianship and attention to detail that makes them the stand[...]

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11 Apr 2026 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester Arts Centre
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Sundays on the Square

Sundays on the Square returns on Sunday 12th April 2026!Keep the spring Sundays alive with Sundays on the Square in the newly built St Nicholas Square, featuring live music throughout[...]

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12 Apr 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Colchester,

Jo Harman: “. . . an incredibly believable and soulful singer.”- Echoes

​An artist who sings straight from the heart, with pure, unadulterated soulfulness and sincerity devoid of any histrionics, Jo Harman was proclaimed "the UK’s finest female soul blues voice" by[...]

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12 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Wivenhoe Congregational Church, 101 High Street, CO7 9AB Wivenhoe, United Kingdom, Wivenhoe Congregational Church, 101 High Street, CO7 9AB Wivenhoe, United Kingdom
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