Keep Colchester Cool

Tom Lee: The Bullet
2025-06-07 14:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Samaritans Colchester, Walsingham Road Community Hall, 34 Walsingham Road Colchester, Essex CO2 7BN United Kingdom, Samaritans Colchester, Walsingham Road Community Hall, 34 Walsingham Road Colchester, Essex CO2 7BN United Kingdom
In The Bullet, Tom Lee attempts to understand what happened to his parents – both were patients at Severalls Psychiatric Hospital in Colchester at different times in their lives – and what happened to him. It is a powerful and deeply personal exploration of mental health, and an indelible account of the legacy of familial illness and living with a fracturing mind.
Tom Lee will be in conversation with author and radio/podcast producer, Chris Penhall.
This event will include an audience Q&A and after the event there will be an opportunity to get your book signed by the author.

Noughties Party Night
2025-06-07 12:00 - 2025-06-08 16:30 | Colchester United FC, JobServe Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester, CO4 5UP, GB
Party all night long to the biggest hits of the 00’s which will keep you on the dancefloor all night long!
Our photobooth will be open, and fancy dress is always encouraged!
Doors open from 7.30pm and the night finishes at midnight. Guests need to be over 18.

Magic The Gathering Final Fantasy Pre-Release Event
2025-06-07 12:00 - 17:00 | ACE Comics, 42 Culver Street East, Colchester, CO1 1LE, GB
Whether you’re taking your first steps into Magic, finishing up your Standard deck, or diving deep into Modern, Commander, and more—Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy is here, come play and pick up this set early.
Final FantasyPrerelease is coming and we will be running 3 pre-release events for this set new core set in the magic timeline.What you get
For each event, you’ll receive a Final Fantasy Prerelease Kit which contains:6 Final Fantasy Play Booster Packs1 year-stamped rare or mythic promo card in foil A Spindown D20 to track your life totalA handy deck box to help transport and store your deck
Aim of the day is to build a Minimum of a 40 card deck with the boosters you get and compete in swiss rounds to find a winner (Land boxes are provided so all you need to bring is you).Every player gets and extra booster for playing and another is put into the prize pot for each player too.
Start time: 12:00pmCost £38.50
Please note all of these events have limited spaces of 40 people, so to avoid missing out please either click attend on this event, come in and speak to a member of staff of call us on 01206 561912 to make sure you don’t miss out.

Robin Ince: Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal
2025-06-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Samaritans Colchester, Walsingham Road Community Hall, 34 Walsingham Road Colchester, Essex CO2 7BN United Kingdom, Samaritans Colchester, Walsingham Road Community Hall, 34 Walsingham Road Colchester, Essex CO2 7BN United Kingdom
Comedian, author and one half of BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince will be joining us for a quirky dive into the world of human behaviour. A powerful, personal exploration of anxiety, ADHD and neurodiversity, Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal reminds us all – no matter how weird we feel – that it’s okay to be a little different.
Complimentary coffee and cake on arrival.
This event will include an audience Q&A and after the event there will be an opportunity to get your book signed by the author.

Mercury Masterclass – Introduction to Unarmed Stage Combat
2025-06-07 10:30 - 12:30 | Mercury Theatre Colchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester
Introduction to Stage Combat – Unarmed Masterclass by Rhiannon Skerritt and Krispian Foster
This is a Mercury Creatives Masterclass.
Location: Mercury Theatre (Rehearsal Room), Balkerne Gate, Colchester CO1 1PTDate & Time: Sat 7 Jun, 10.30am – 12.30pm
This introduction to Stage Combat is the perfect opportunity for actors, performers and theatre enthusiasts to learn the art of believable (and safe) stage fighting.
Led by two experienced fight performers and choreographers, this dynamic, hands-on class teaches the fundamentals of unarmed combat, including slaps, punches, falls, and reactions – everything you need to bring high-stakes action to the stage without ever landing a blow!
Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills for auditions, expand your performance range, or just try something new, this workshop offers a supportive, high-energy environment for all experience levels. Learn proper technique, timing, and storytelling through movement while building trust and chemistry with scene partners.
Spots are limited, so register now and take your stage presence to the next level!

Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Fair
2025-06-07 10:00 - 15:00 | Firstsite Colchester, Firstsite Colchester
Artisan Craft Fair, on Saturday 7th June, 10am-3pm, free entry, at Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester CO1 1JH. Folk & Bespoke prides itself as being different, not the same boring shops that you see around town, bringing you the same cheap, unethical goods. Folk & Bespoke aims to bring you something different EVERY month! . We aim to be a unique shopping experience, a celebration of small independent businesses and time served craftspeople. My aim is to put you in the spotlight and support creative communities! My aim is for us to be the go to market for people to shop indie! . I hope that all of us small businesses will support other small businesses! . We are a small town community! You can’t go out without bumping in to someone you know or a familiar face. Our town will grow and this is the time for artisans, creatives and independents to flourish. . The demand is there, the talent is there. Let’s commit to being something different, something better, something great!

Roman and Medieval Festival 2025
2025-06-07 00:00 - 2025-06-08 17:00 | Lower Castle Park Colchester, Colchester, CO1 1, GB
🏰 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 ⚔️
📅 When: June 7th & 8th, 202510:00am to 5:00 pm
📍 Where: Lower Castle Park, St Peters Street entrance (Ryegate), Colchester, CO1 1HL
🎟️ 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀:
https://tinyurl.com/bddtzuwa
£𝟭𝟬 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟲𝘀 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘
Step back in time at Colchester’s Castle Park for an action-packed, educational festival!
✨ 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
• Re-enactors showcasing Roman, and Medieval fighting skills, cooking, and living history camps
• A grand market filled with treasures to discover
• One of Britain’s largest longbow competitions
• Ale bars, a hog roast, and fantastic food stalls
• Hands-on archery and axe-throwing activities🎭
𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:
• Storytellers, puppeteers, musicians, hawkers.
• FREE dressing up and fun activities for kids
🐾 Dogs are welcome!
Plus, enjoy FREE parking for a stress-free day out.
Don’t miss this unforgettable festival that’s fun for all ages. See you there!
@followers
#RomanAndMedievalFestival #ColchesterEvents #FamilyFun #FoodFestivals #FestiveVibes #romanbritain #medievalhistory #fun

The Laughter Zone Comedy Club
2025-06-06 20:00 - 23:00 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Tickets £15.50/ £13.50 concessions.Doors open 8pm, show starts 8.30pm.This show is for a seated audience.
Come on in for a riotous night of laughter where the bar will be open throughout.
We get all the big names of comedy on their way up – Eddie Izzard, Billy Bailey, Jimmy Carr and Michael McIntyre have all appeared at our club when they were in the early stages of their careers.
So catch the acts causing a stir on today’s circuit, and you might even be witnessing comedy greatness of tomorrow!
The acts performing are announced on the night.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1228580922300520/?event_time_id=1228580948967184

Headgate Theatre, Colchester
2025-06-06 19:45 - 22:45 | Headgate Theatre, Headgate Theatre
This is a very welcome return to this lovely theatre in Colchester. We will be doing a full 2 sets without a support and we hope you can come if you live nearby. See you there!

...Earnest? | Colchester
2025-06-06 19:30 - 22:30 | Mercury Theatre Colchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester
Say It Again, Sorry? presents …Earnest?, a one-of-a-kind, different-every-night comedy sensation, perfect for fans of The Play That Goes Wrong and Noises Off!
When a traditional production of Oscar Wilde’s classic play gets underway, everything seems to be going perfectly to plan… that is, until the lead actor fails to arrive on cue and an actual audience member is chosen to star in the show.
What follows is a madcap medley of impromptu games and spontaneous solutions as Simon Slough, the desperate director, does his best to keep this faithful production going with an unwitting amateur at the helm. But with stage whiskey being swapped, off-the-cuff auditions being held, and muffins being eaten (no matter what state they’re in), there’s just no telling what this version of Earnest is going to throw up. Especially when more audience members are drafted in to replace an ever-thinning cast…
With the script ripped up and rewritten, can the show reach its fabulous finale, just as Oscar Wilde intended? Well, you’ll have to see for yourself, because with a cast made up of members of the public, this show is completely different, completely chaotic, and completely Wilde every single night.
And who knows, you might even become a star yourself in this totally unique comedy, guaranteed to have you laughing whether you’re sitting in the audience… or performing onstage.
★★★★★- Broadway Baby
★★★★★- North West End
★★★★★- The Skinny

* SOLD OUT * REV SIMPKINS ALBUM LAUNCH (with special guest, John Callaghan)
2025-06-06 19:30 - 22:00 | The Commons Cafe, The Minories, Colchester, 74 High Street , Colchester, Entrance via REAR GATE, The Commons Cafe, The Minories, Colchester, 74 High Street , Colchester, Entrance via REAR GATE
REV SIMPKINS, Jim Simpkins & band launch their bold new album in the intimate and charming surroundings of The Commons Cafe at The Minories in Colchester.
Support comes from the brilliant JOHN CALLAGHAN (“Strange, silly, sincere and sensational”)
Anglican priest and non-conformist musician, the Rev’d Matthew Simpkins has long been an evangelist for exuberant creativity in bands such as Sons of Joy, Pissabed Prophet (with Ben Brown), Dingus Khan, FuzzFace and as solo artist, Rev Simpkins. His psychedelic gospel epic, the album BIG SEA (9/10, Vive Le Rock) was followed by the tender close-harmony Banjo laments of SALTINGS (‘a triumph’, FATEA). His new album (title to be announced), written amid a period of severe illness and recorded with his son Jim, continues to explore the depths of human experience and the redemptive power of music.
PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY: Access is by the rear garden entrance, opposite the FirstSite Gallery

DJ Bobe's Rock-Indie Request Session
2025-06-06 19:00 - 2025-06-07 00:30 | Queen St Brewhouse, 7 - 9 Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PG, GB
The Bobemeister is back on the stage!😀 He will be playing a crazy selection of 70s and 80s and 90s rock, Soul and Electronic tunes for afabulous night for you and him at The Brewhouse. Requests welcome! Starts at 7pm

Grand Final 2025
2025-06-06 19:00 - 22:00 | Coda Colchester, Coda Colchester
So we have a full line up for the Grand Final 2025. Joining BlackWater Kings and Red_Matter in the Final will be Mechromorph and Knocked For Six . The second semi final was superb and I have to put a big shout out to the amazing Myopia Official who smashed their set. Also thanks to Dan Barratt for taking over on sound tonight.So the final is on the 6th June at Coda Colchester . Doors at 7pm and bands from 7:30pm. Ticket are £6 plus booking fee and are available from midday 23rd May from We Got Tickets. Follow the link below.https://wegottickets.com/event/660962

Magic The Gathering Final Fantasy Pre-Release Event
2025-06-06 18:30 - 22:30 | ACE Comics, 42 Culver Street East, Colchester, CO1 1LE, GB
Whether you’re taking your first steps into Magic, finishing up your Standard deck, or diving deep into Modern, Commander, and more—Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy is here, come play and pick up this set early.
Final FantasyPrerelease is coming and we will be running 3 pre-release events for this set new core set in the magic timeline.What you get
For each event, you’ll receive a Final Fantasy Prerelease Kit which contains:6 Final Fantasy Play Booster Packs1 year-stamped rare or mythic promo card in foil A Spindown D20 to track your life totalA handy deck box to help transport and store your deck
Aim of the day is to build a Minimum of a 40 card deck with the boosters you get and compete in swiss rounds to find a winner (Land boxes are provided so all you need to bring is you).Every player gets and extra booster for playing and another is put into the prize pot for each player too.
Start time: 6:30pmCost £38.50
Please note all of these events have limited spaces of 40 people, so to avoid missing out please either click attend on this event, come in and speak to a member of staff of call us on 01206 561912 to make sure you don’t miss out.

Beer & a Board Game Night
2025-06-06 16:00 - 21:00 | 37 queen street, CO1 2PQ Colchester, United Kingdom, 37 queen street, CO1 2PQ Colchester, United Kingdom
On Friday 9th May we are holding our special Beer & a Board game offer! £7 for a beer or cider and game time for the whole evening! I can’t think of a better way to spend a Friday than a Beer & a Board Game!

Martin Newell! (Doors open 7.30 for 8pm)
2025-06-05 20:00 - 23:00 | The Royal British Legion, The Quay Wivenhoe CO7 9BX, The Royal British Legion, The Quay Wivenhoe CO7 9BX
We are delighted to welcome to the Club the multi-talented consummate entertainer that is Martin Newell. Singer, songwriter, poet, author, guitarist and pianist – a man of many parts with music ranging from rock to pop to folk.He has an extraordinary history in the music industry. Founder member of the legendary ‘Cleaners from Venus’, co-writer of songs with pop star Captain Sensible, his first solo album ‘The Greatest Living Englishman’ produced by XTC’s Andy Partridge and later hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as a rock classic.
More recently and more locally, folk fans will have encountered Martin blending his poetry with the music of the talented folk ensemble’The Hosepipe Band’.Achieving fame as a pop poet, featuring on BBC radio shows and literature festivals and resident pop poet for 2 national newspapers over 28 years, Martin was said to be the UK’s most published living poet Martin continues to fill venues on his tours with 2 sold out London gigs this year with ‘The Gardeners’ at Bush Hall. We are delighted that he has managed to fit us into his schedule.So don’t miss this one! Expect a fabulous evening of songs (some great covers and his own superb songs) poetry, anecdotes and classy musicianship.
The first part will start with a small number of floor spots (which MUST be pre-booked) followed by Martin’s first 45 minute set.After a short interval we’ll have one or two more floor spots to warm up then Martin’s second 45 minute set.A magnificent performer, not to be missed!Admission £8 — Concessions £7 — Floor spot performers £5(TO BOOK FLOOR SPOTS call Alan on 01206 827759)NB Club Admission is CASH ONLY andThe RBL Bar is CARD ONLY

Emotional Madness with MaryAnn & Mates
2025-06-05 19:30 - 22:30 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Tickets £3Doors open 7.30pm, show starts 8pmThis show is for a seated audience
An evening of spoken word and poetry hosted by Mary-Ann Ambrose. A mixture of emotions, a roller coaster of fun and sadness.
Line-up in order of appearance:
David ChidgeyPeter TorresAlice ViolettRicci ReadSamaka Messi James Domestic Annie Janes-Fraser Barry KingMary-Ann AmbroseLorna Mackinnon
https://www.facebook.com/events/8993181580759194/?event_time_id=8993181597425859

Sun Cutter (aka Kevin Pearce) - ‘Brushstrokes and Beats’ featuring Dwarka Nath Sinha
2025-06-05 19:30 - 22:30 | Roots & Grooves Cafe, Roots & Grooves Cafe
Sun Cutter (aka Kevin Pearce) present a night of ‘Brushstrokes and Beats’ at Roots & Grooves!
The live band will perform a 90 minute set featuring live artist Dwarka Nath Sinha creating works throughout the show.
Sketching the sounds and soundtracking the easel!
Come and join us for a experimental evening where art meets sounds🎨
Big thanks and love to Roots & Grooves and Creative Colchester for bringing this event to you as part of the #FirstThursdays series X

Funke and the Two Tone Baby, Support:Sneakyfish (Free Entry)
2025-06-05 19:00 - 22:00 | 60 High Street, Colchester, 60 High Street, Colchester
Join us for an electrifying evening of Lopping Style music at Three Wise Monkeys Colchester as part of First Thursdays!
We’re thrilled to present Funke and the Two Tone Baby, supported by the amazing Sneakyfish. This live performance is FREE to attend, so don’t miss out!
Date: Thursday, 5th June
Location: Ground Floor, Three Wise Monkeys, Colchester
Start Time: 7 PM
Entry: Free
Come early to grab a table and avoid disappointment.

Life Drawing - Thursday, 5th June 2025
2025-06-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Straight Road Community Centre, Straight Road Community Centre
We are a local life drawing group in Colchester. We meet up for untutored drawings with professional models from all backgrounds.
All abilities are welcome. Just drop in, draw and pay £10 cash for the session.
Drawing boards, easels, papers, charcoal and pencils are provided for free or bring your materials.
Accessible venue.
Location: Straight Road Community Centre329 Straight Road, Colchester, CO3 9EF

OMB Film Quiz 13
2025-06-05 18:50 - 21:50 | Other Monkey Brewing – The Taproom, 5-6 St Nicholas St, Colchester, CO1 1LB, GB
Test your knowledge of films and help raise money for an incredible cause!
– £3 a head (cash only, all proceeds to charity)– Maximum 6 to a team – Food available throughout – Book via https://sevn.ly/xJWOHUhN
If you book and then decide not to attend, please cancel your booking.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the quiz is due to start.

Colchester Makerspace Social
2025-06-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Trinity Works,24 Trinity Street,Colchester,CO1 1JN,GB
A FREE monthly Open Workshop, a chance for current & potential members to come together and catch up.
Thinking of becoming a member and want to know more? Already a member and want to catch up with the others? Colchester Makerspace Socials include a short introduction to Colchester Makerspace and an opportunity to meet some of our members and associate artists. You will also hear a short show-and-tell from our Maker of the Month for June – Lucy Rayner.
This Social is part of a city-wide programme called First Thursdays – a new monthly festival with events throughout Colchester, celebrating its vibrant and diverse cultural scene. Venues across the city are thrown open for the community to showcase fantastic performances, workshops and interactive experiences.
Join Our Creative Community: Enjoy up to 50% off classes and 24/7 access to our space and equipment. Memberships start at just £15 per month. Learn more: www.makercampus.co.uk/membership
New to Colchester Makerspace? We’re a community workshop with ceramics, printmaking and a vibrant program of classes. Explore our website: www.makercampus.co.uk
Support Creativity: Donate to our kiln fund and help us keep making amazing things happen: https://gofund.me/1d2f2158
Please read our cancellation/refunds policy: www.makercampus.co.uk/refunds-policy

Colchester Kit Bash @ Dice & a Slice
2025-06-05 18:00 - 21:00 | Dice & A Slice, 37 Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PQ, GB
Got piles of old miniatures sprues or a bits box filled to the brim?Why not come along to our first Colchester Kit Bash!
Bring your unused sprues and bits and build some new miniatures – or just come along and use our to make you’re very own customised miniature!
Food & Drink Menu and Licenced Bar!

Cinema | Sylvanian Families (Parent & Baby) (U)
2025-06-05 11:30 - 13:10 | Lewis Gardens, CO1 1JH Colchester, United Kingdom
Showing at Firstsite Cinema – Sylvanian Families (Parent & Baby) (U)!
The annual Star Festival arrives in Sylvanian Village again this year. While everyone is eagerly looking forward to it, Chocolate Rabbit girl Freya is worried.
It’s her mother’s birthday on the day of the festival, and she can’t think of a gift at all.
Furthermore, Freya is appointed to the important role of preparing the festival’s main event, the ‘Tree of the Year.’
So, what Freya will come up with to make her mother and her friends happy?
Book now on our website or call us on 01206 713 700

Colchester Brewkulele
2025-06-04 19:30 - 22:30 | 60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom, 60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom
NOT YOUR AVERAGE UKULELE BAND. JOIN US FOR A FUN UKULELE SINGALONG IN THE GROUND FLOOR BAR OF THREE WISE MONKEYS FROM 7.30PM. FREE ENTRY
Turn up, tune up and get involved. There is a different songbook each month, downloadable via QR code on the night so anyone can play or sing along. It’s not about serious music, it’s about having fun, lively playing and releasing your inner backing singer.
Unapologetically lively. If other Uke bands have sent you to sleep, Brewkulele is here to wake you up!
About Colchester Brewkulele: started in 2014 as Colchester Ukulele, and in 2023 the group relaunched as Brewkulele with the support of Colchester Brewery, and in 2024 relocated to Three Wise Monkeys which is the perfect venue for a group which often pulls in close to 40 ukes.
https://www.facebook.com/COLCHESTERUKULELE

Comedy in Colchester - Colchester Comedian of the Year 2025 HEAT THREE
2025-06-04 19:30 - 22:30 | Three Wise Monkeys Colchester
Colchester Comedian of the Year 2025: Heat 3!
The laughter-packed quest for Colchester’s funniest continues! Topper Promotions proudly presents Heat 3 of the Colchester Comedian of the Year 2025 competition, sponsored by Other Monkey Brewing & Colchester Trophies.
Witness six more comedians battle it out live on stage at 3 Wise Monkeys. Each contestant will perform their best five minutes of stand-up and tackle hilarious improv games, all competing for your vote and a coveted spot in the Grand Final alongside the winners from Heats 1 and 2.
Expect fresh talent, unpredictable comedy, and a fantastic atmosphere as you help decide who moves one step closer to the title!
When: Wednesday, June 4th, 2025Time: 7:30 PM Start (Doors 7:00 PM)
Where: 3 Wise Monkeys, ColchesterTickets:https://www.jokepit.com/e/28015 (Check link for current offers/pricing!)Presented by: Topper Promotions

Ukulele Singalong June
2025-06-04 19:30 - 21:30 | THREE WISE MONKEYS, Colchester, THREE WISE MONKEYS, Colchester
Sneak peek at June’s songbook… come and do the dance with us on Weds 4th.. ��

The Importance of Knowing
2025-06-04 19:00 - 22:00 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Admission Free – No Advance Booking – Just turn up!Doors open 7pm, film starts 7.30pm.
80 years after the liberation of the camps, “The importance of knowing,” a project inspired by the Dora Love Prize, explores the urgent need to combat a renewed wave of hate.
This documentary unveils the powerful initiatives within Colchester that promote inclusion, showcasing the resilience and determination of those working to create a society where everyone belongs.

Victoria Inn Film, TV & Music Quiz 31
2025-06-04 18:45 - 21:45 | Victoria Inn Colchester, 10 North Station Rd, Colchester, CO1 1RB, GB
Test your knowledge of all things film, TV and music, and help raise money for an incredible cause!
– £3 a head (cash only)– Maximum 4 to a team– Outside food & dogs welcome – Book on 01206 514510
Please arrive at least twenty minutes before the quiz is due to start to place drink orders.
If you book and then decide not to attend, please cancel your booking.

National cheese day
2025-06-04 13:00 - 20:00 | 1-2 Castle Road, Colchester, 1-2 Castle Road, Colchester
Cheeseboard for 1 – £8, for 2-£15
