Colchester Fringe 2026 programme revealed

Colchester Fringe Festival has revealed its 2026 programme, with 69 shows currently listed across venues around the city.

Running from 21st October to 1st November, this year’s Fringe will once again bring theatre, comedy, music, cabaret, dance, magic, spoken word, physical theatre and family shows to Colchester, with tickets now on sale.

Shows will take place at Colchester Arts Centre, Headgate Theatre, Mercury Theatre, Three Wise Monkeys, Coda, Patch and The Dragonfly Lounge.

The programme includes everything from Jekyll & Hyde: A One-Woman Show, One Man Poe, and Turing’s Law to comedy including Are You Lovin’ It?, Blip Blarp – An Alien Love Story and a Halloween special of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation.

Colchester Arts Centre hosts the return of the hugely acclaimed Living with Luke, alongside Celtic Tales and a Ceilidh Night, while Wendy James returns to the Fringe with The Toilet Monologues – Number Two, following last year’s success at The Dragonfly Lounge. Elmer’s Fringe Jazz Club comes to Patch, while Mitch Benn makes two appearances, bringing Asking Elvis to Headgate Theatre and Mitch Benn is The 37th Beatle to Coda.

Elsewhere there is cabaret, musical theatre, poetry and dance, while younger audiences are catered for with shows including Hello Beach, Manic Macbeth and Valhalla Awaits – Viking Stories For Kids.

Part of the appeal of Colchester Fringe is how it spreads across the city, taking over established arts venues as well as smaller spaces, giving audiences the chance to see something they might not normally book. With performances taking place across seven venues, the festival also brings audiences into different parts of Colchester over its 12-day run.

The full Colchester Fringe Festival 2026 programme is now available, with show information, performance times, age guidance and tickets available through the festival box office.