Keep Colchester Cool

Wandering - Art Exhibition
2025-12-09 10:00 - 2025-12-14 14:00 (Europe/London) | The Sentinel Gallery, The Sentinel Gallery
Blow away the cobwebs of winter with a walk through the mind of Tina Bullen.
Join Tina at The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, to experience her free art show, Wandering. Here you’ll find a variety of original artworks (and more!) based on the famous Wordsworth line, ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’. The artworks depict the great outdoors of Essex and beyond; its epic landscapes, woodlands and skies. More than this, the show will be a peaceful, immersive sensory experience that will literally have you breathing in fresh air, revelling in nature and watching moving skyscapes as they flow over the artwork. This is a show not to be missed.
All work is for sale.
This show has been made possible by funding, gratefully received from the Hervey Benham Trust.

SPACE: Peer-to-Peer (in person)
2025-12-10 12:00 - 14:00 | 37 queen street, CO1 2PQ Colchester, United Kingdom, 37 queen street, CO1 2PQ Colchester, United Kingdom
The SPACE Peer-to-Peer sessions are a space for sharing work in progress, peer support and feedback and networking.
The sessions are open to all creatives and are free to attend.

Writing Workshop: The business of fringe
2025-12-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, GB
Join us for a Writing Workshop Series led by the talented Alice K Stephens, designed to guide you through every step of developing your own fringe theatre show.
Across five sessions in the Lakeside Theatre Studio, Alice will guide you through how to create your own fringe theatre show. From the first idea to the finished product, you’ll explore key aspects of developing a show with practical steps and support.
Free to attend for University of Essex members, though spaces are limited so do book your space each week!
Week 5 – The business of fringe:All about the theatre maker as a producer in the contemporary fringe scene. We’ll discuss the costs of producing a show, and how to face up to that with a limited budget and fundraising. We will consider how to market your show and put together a press pack. And finally, we’ll discuss the importance of looking out for yourself and your team during production.

Colchester Castle Open Evening
2025-12-10 15:00 - 20:00 | Colchester Castle, Colchester Castle
As a special festive treat, Colchester Castle’s FREE Christmas Open Evening returns for 2025 from 3 pm – 8 pm. Soak up the festive atmosphere whilst seeing over 2,000 years of amazing history, with festive refreshments. With the Castle decked out in Christmas cheer, it promises to be a great way to get in the spirit of the season!
Please note that the Castle can get very busy during our Open Evening, so a queuing system may be in operation.
This event is suitable for all ages, but an adult must accompany children.
Entry to the Castle is free; however, if you want to meet Father Christmas and receive a small gift, there is a £6 per child charge.
Booking not required, simply drop in. Please note queuing may be in operation for Father Christmas.

Red Riding Hood: a Christmas Pantomime!
2025-12-10 19:00 - 21:30 | Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Square 5, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Square 5, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
Get ready for this Winter show full of pantomime fun!
Are you ready to go into the woods? Join Red Riding Hood as she goes on this exciting adventure, meeting both furry friends and foes alike! Red is an adventurous young spirit who wants nothing more than to see the world. Her wish comes true when she is sent to fetch her poor old granny in the woods some bread.
However, things turn from weird to weirder, as along the way she encounters a group of deranged dancing dogs, curiously choral creatures, and a certainly fierce furry foe.
This pantomime will have you singing, clapping, and screaming “IT’S BEHIND YOU” in no time!
Written by Naiden Janes, Directed by Christina Davies, and performed by University of Essex Theatre Arts Society.

Wednesday Night Open Mic @ The Victoria Inn
2025-12-10 19:30 - 22:45 | The Victoria Pub, The Victoria Pub
It’s Open Mic Night!Bring yourself… or send your friends in place of you…. or come with your friends and get involved.Bring your instruments or borrow mine (Guitar, Piano, Cajon & Mics provided).*We run a sign up board & work through the names in order & attendance prioritising those who arrive before 9.*The sign up board goes up around 7:30 & the mic goes live around 8:00. *We wrap up for 10:45.*Performers usually get 2-3 songs (up to 15 minutes in total) but this depends the number of participants on the night.
