Keep Colchester Cool

Peoples of Essex Exhibition – Patrick Denney – Talk
2025-12-12 14:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Colchester Library and Community Hub, 21 Trinity Square, Colchester, CO1 1JB, GB
A fully illustrated presentation looking at the early Roman settlement and Boudican revolt, in Colchester, followed by some of the major archaeological discoveries over the past few decades.
This talk is part of our Peoples of Essex exhibition, celebrating the diverse stories and communities that shape the county.

The Jazz Duo Live At The Brewhouse
2025-12-11 20:00 - 23:00 | Queen St Brewhouse, 7 - 9 Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PG, GB
Vocalist Laura Wyatt and guitarist Darrel Mayhead perform a selection of their favourite jazz and swing classics. Expect to hear songs from the like of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Doris Day and many more.

ABF Essex Christmas Concert 2025
2025-12-11 19:30 - 22:00 | St Botolph’s Church Walk, Colchester, CO2 7, United Kingdom, St Botolph's Church Walk, Colchester, CO2 7, United Kingdom
The Army Benevolent Fund’s Essex Committee invite you to join us for our annual much-loved Essex Christmas Concert. The concert has taken place every year for over 20 years’, even taking place in 2020 during the Covid lockdown when British Army Band Colchester performed a concert virtually in aid of supporting the Army family.
This year’s concert will be held at St Botolph’s Church, Colchester on Thursday 11th December 2025. Join us for an outstanding evening of music performed by The Essex Yeomanry Band. Performing a selection of Christmas favourites with a few carols thrown in for good measure, it is the perfect way to start the festive season and get you in the Christmas mood!
TicketsTickets are £15 per person.
Online: To book tickets online use this platform.
Cheque: Made payable to ‘Army Benevolent Fund’ and sent to: Army Benevolent Fund East Anglia , Building P04, Room 6, Merville Barracks, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7UT.
By BACS: Please contact: eastanglia@armybenevolentfund.org for more details.
For tickets purchased by cheque/BACS through the East Anglia Office, please make sure you specify the number of tickets requested.

The Big Christmas Special Rock n Roll Bingo Special at The Lexden Crown
2025-12-11 19:00 - 22:00 | Lexden Crown, Lexden Crown
Its time to funk up your life, dig out your dabbers, and your best musical knowledge, then get ready to have some musical fun and win some great prizes, Its time to play Rock n Roll Bingo, with Big Jim.
A night of 4 games of Music Bingo, fun music and great company. Youve never played Bingo like this, fun for everyone, and much more exciting than waiting for your bingo balls to drop.So turn up, listen in and win win win.

An Evening With Simon Scarrow
2025-12-11 19:00 - 22:00 | Waterstones Colchester High Street, 12-13 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DA, GB
We are delighted to have Simon Scarrow join us for a talk about his latest Macro & Cato novel. After three books which dealt with the Boudican revolt and it’s aftermath, this one sees Cato as Prefect of Rome’s Urban Cohorts. It’s AD63 and Emperor Nero’s brutal and reckless rule is causing chaos and disorder in the capital. Cato needs his right-hand man Macro to help him restore order and navigate the treacherous waters of Roman politics. They are just as dangerous as any foe the pair have faced in battle.
Tickets must be purchased online and the doors will open at 6.45pm for a 7pm start.

Victoria Inn General Knowledge Quiz 2
2025-12-11 19:00 - 22:00 | Victoria Inn Colchester, 10 North Station Rd, Colchester, CO1 1RB, GB
Test your general knowledge at the Victoria Inn General Knowledge Quiz, and help raise money for an incredible cause!
– £3 a head entry (CASH ONLY)– Maximum 4 to a team– Outside food & dogs welcome – Book on 01206 514510
Please bring the number of people you book for, and if you book and decide not to attend, please cancel your booking.
Please arrive at least twenty minutes before the quiz is due to start to place drink orders.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Scrooge Live @ Colchester Town Hall
2025-12-09 19:00 - 22:00 | Colchester Town Hall
Experience the beloved Christmas tale of redemption and goodwill through the power of cinema and sound.The classic 1951 film Scrooge, starring the legendary Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, is brought to life with live music. An enchanting newly orchestrated live score is performed by the three-piece FB Pocket Orchestra. Let their reimagined music and atmospheric sound effects immerse you in Scrooge’s journey with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.Expect exquisite musicianship, enchanting visuals, and a fresh take on Dickens’ timeless story.

Vinyl Night
2025-12-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Ye Olde Albion Pub, High Street, Rowhedge, Colchester, CO5 7ES, GB
A night for music lovers of all kinds! Bring along your own vinyl from home to play in the pub & to share with other vinyl & music lovers so we can all appreciate the quality, atmosphere & perfection of a bit of vinyl. All genres are welcome so it will be a very eclectic night of music!

Wandering - Art Exhibition
2025-12-09 10:00 - 2025-12-14 14:00 | 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.

Janice Burns & Jon Doran
2025-12-08 19:30 - 22:30 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
FolkTickets £15 / £14 concessions.Doors open 7.30pm, starts 8pm.
This show is for a seated audience.
Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an award-winning Anglo-Scottish duo who came together after discovering a shared love of traditional music. Their songs tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world.
Janice & Jon’s ‘clever and uncluttered musical storytelling’ (Songlines) comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence and an understated energy that transports songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener.
Following the success of their self-titled EP in 2020, Janice & Jon released their debut album, No More the Green Hills, in Autumn 2022. The album had overwhelmingly positive feedback, finding its place in the Official UK Folk Albums Chart, as well as gaining airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland.
With their relaxed and personable approach to performance, Janice & Jon are renowned for the warmth of their connection with audiences. From opening Stage 2 at Cambridge Folk Festival, to playing at the likes of Celtic Connections, Ceòl Cholasa, Edinburgh Tradfest, Sidmouth Folk Festival and Cecil Sharp House, the duo are highly sought after across the UK and beyond.
The duo’s winter gigs have become something of a tradition over the last few years, and now they’re heading out on tour with their brand-new festive album, Great Joy to the New. People have always forged customs to survive the winter, with rituals that bring people together and bring light to the dark nights. These rituals have often been born of necessity. Beautiful, colourful, musical traditions, linked by the common cause of sustaining people spiritually, mentally, or financially through a harsh winter. Janice and Jon’s new album and live show explores these themes through a collection of traditional folk songs about Christmas, winter, and optimism for the new year.
**** “Clever and uncluttered musical storytelling” – Songlines Magazine***** “Five stars for this duo that have made an album destined for repeated listening.” – Irish Music Magazine“They’re a revelation – crystal clear voices, great musicianship and an obvious deep love of the tradition.” – Mike Harding“Really nicely done” – Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show“They play lovely strings, they have gorgeous harmony arrangements. Really well crafted, intimate, beautifully understated.” – Karine Polwart
janandjon.comfacebook.com/janandjontwitter.com/janiceandjon1instagram.com/janandjonmusic https://www.youtube.com/@janiceandjon7003
Support… Phil LyonsYou’ve seen him with Bof! and Rosewood – here he’s singing solo – mainly traditional and contemporary material influenced by tradition, accompanying himself expertly on guitar .

Manchester Calling! Ft. The Total Stone Roses, The Smiths Presumably & Oaysis
2025-12-07 19:00 - 22:00 | Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester Arts Centre
Manchester Calling! Ft. The Total Stone Roses, The Smiths Presumably & Oaysis
Manchester Calling! is a night celebrating iconic Manchester music by THE STONE ROSES, OASIS, THE SMITHS and MORRISSEY.Featuring live performances by #1 tribute bands: The Total Stone Roses, The Smiths Presumably and Oaysis, if you’re keen to hear your favourite Manchester anthems performed LIVE by exceptional tribute acts, surrounded by like-minded music fans, this event is for you.———————————————————-THE TOTAL STONE ROSESfacebook.com/thetotalstonerosesTouring nationwide for the past decade, performing anthems such as Waterfall, I Wanna Be Adored, Sally Cinnamon, I Am The Resurrection and more, this Blackpool 1989 era tribute to The Stone Roses will have you bouncing area like you’re at SPIKE ISLAND!———————————————————-THE SMITHS PRESUMABLYfacebook.com/thesmithspresumably Without doubt, The Smiths Presumably are the most accurate tribute to The Smiths / Morrissey on the circuit. If you want to hear classics such as Bigmouth Strikes Again, How Soon Is Now?, Panic + Morrissey solo material, buy your ticket today!———————————————————-OAYSISfacebook.com/oaysisOAYSIS perform tunes such as Supersonic, Don’t Look Back In Anger, Wonderwall and more with absolute accuracy. This is the closet thing to seeing OASIS live, check their videos. They’ll bring the spirit of Knebworth to you!———————————————————-

Irish/Scottish Folk Jam
2025-12-07 19:00 - 22:00 | 1-2 Castle Road, Colchester, UK, 1-2 Castle Road, Colchester, UK
Everyone welcome to join in or listen.Traditional Folk Jam

Here comes Christmas!
2025-12-07 16:00 - 19:00 | St Botolphs Church, Colchester, GB
Join us for our family friendly Christmas concert. It’s always a special, festive occasion with brass and organ accompaniment and the local children’s ‘Sing Up’ choir.

Calm At The Castle
2025-12-07 15:00 - 17:00 | Colchester Castle, Colchester Castle
Join us on the first Sunday of the month for a little calm at Colchester Castle.
These sessions are suitable for visitors with ASD, providing an opportunity for them to explore the museum at a quieter time. We aim to minimise sensory stimulation in the galleries by turning off audio and visuals and providing a sensory space off the main gallery.
Ear defenders, visual guides and twiddlemuffs are available from the Museum’s reception free of charge.
You can find out more about our autism-friendly resources by visiting our Access page.
This event is included in Castle admission. There is no need to book; just purchase general admission tickets to the Castle, or consider a Museums Pass to enjoy unlimited visits during the year!

Argentine Tango fundamentals tuition with Nicolas Ignacio Godoy and Miriam Gita at Headgate Theatre
2025-12-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Headgate Theatre, Headgate Theatre
Get a thorough technique-based grounding in the fundamentals Argentine tango in Colchester with experienced tangueros Nicolas Ignacio Godoy and Miriam Gita at the Headgate Theatre on Sunday mornings 11am-12noon. These tutorials on the fundamentals of tango are suitable for complete beginners aa well as tango dancers who need to strengthen the basis of their technique and will get you dancing by covering all the basics of tango in a friendly and welcoming group. No need to bring a partner. No dance experience necessary. All welcome!
11am- 12noon £10 per class.Email thejoyoftango@gmail.com or text Miriam Gita on 07706746750 to book your place.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1386040796287796/?event_time_id=1386040812954461

InColchester Festive Market
2025-12-07 10:00 - 17:00 | High St & St Nicholas Square, CO1 1PJ Colchester, United Kingdom, High St & St Nicholas Square, CO1 1PJ Colchester, United Kingdom
The Annual Festive Market hosted by Colchester Market and the Colchester BID returns with up to 80 stalls on a pedestrianised Colchester High St on Sunday 7th December 2025. The Free-Entry family-friendly event runs from 10:00 to 17:00 featuring live music, entertainment, funfair rides, Festive Giftware, Streetfood and of course, some mulled wine for the grown-ups.
The event will be launched at 10:00 by the Kidical Mass cycle ride down the High St, and into St Nicholas Square to be greeted by a Festive Special Guest, the Colchester Mayor and Town Crier.
St Nicholas Square will host some very talented young entrepreneurs throughout the day bringing their products to market, host local musicians and of course the fabulous Observation Wheel!
#ChristmasinColchester #MyMarket #Colchester

Willow Basket Weaving Workshop
2025-12-07 10:00 - 13:00 | Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve, Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve
Learn to weave your own willow basket from local willow. Suitable for beginners and those with experience.
Disabled access and parking.
Refreshments available to purchase at the cafe.
All materials provided
£32.50PP
Book your place here – https://www.thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk/event-details/weave-a-willow-basket-2

Town Hall Christmas Gift Market
2025-12-07 10:00 - 13:00 | Colchester Town Hall, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PJ Colchester, United Kingdom, Colchester Town Hall, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PJ Colchester, United Kingdom
🎄 The Moot Hall Christmas Gift Market – Returning for 2025! 🎄
Join us on Sunday 7th December 2025 as the Moot Hall Christmas Gift Market returns to the heart of Colchester for a festive shopping experience like no other! ✨
🛍️ 40 Handpicked Gift Stalls – Browse a stunning selection of unique, handcrafted, and locally sourced gifts, perfect for your Christmas shopping list. From artisan crafts to gourmet treats, there’s something for everyone!
🌟 Part of Colchester’s High Street Market – Make a day of it! The Moot Hall Christmas Market runs alongside the bustling High Street Market, bringing even more shopping, food, and festive delights to explore.
📅 When? Sunday 7th December 2025⏰ Time? 10 AM – 4 PM📍 Where? Moot Hall, Colchester
Free to attend
Support small businesses, soak up the festive spirit, and find the perfect gifts for your loved ones! 🎁✨
See you there! 🎅🎄

Stephen K Amos: Now We're Talking
2025-12-06 19:30 - 22:30 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Tickets £23.50.Doors open 7.30pm, show starts 8pm.Show duration 2 hours with interval.
How good’s a laugh? My joke book is overflowing, so let’s get talking about what gives me the ick and what makes me tick. It’s time to get down to the nitty gritty. No filter, no limits. The gloves are off and I’m packing a punchline, so let’s speak easy and laugh freely. Join me for freestyling musings and merrymaking to get your belly aching! After all, in jokes we trust…
“You’ll laugh until you actually cry” ***** Sunday Express“Effortless comedy from one of the country’s strongest stand-ups” Sunday Times“Amos is dynamite” The Guardian“A joy to behold” The Times“A note perfect hour” ***** The Metro“Unashamedly feel-good entertainment” **** The Evening Standard

Live At Christmas: Sam Campbell, Bridget Christie, Maisie Adam
2025-12-06 19:30 - 22:30 | Colchester Charter Hall, Colchester Charter Hall
Full Line-up: Sam Campbell, Bridget Christie, Maisie Adam, Ed Byrne
Sale Dates and Times:
Public Onsale : Fri, 2 May 2025 at 10:00 AM

Christmas Wreath Workshop
2025-12-06 14:00 - 17:00 | 86 London Road, Colchester, CO3 9DW, United Kingdom, 86 London Road, Colchester, CO3 9DW, United Kingdom
Join us at Kingsland Church for a cosy, festive afternoon creating your own fresh foliage Christmas wreath.
You’ll have a beautiful selection of decorations, ribbons and seasonal touches to choose from, with full guidance provided – perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike.
Your ticket includes a hot drink and homemade mince pies, making it a wonderfully warm and Christmassy way to spend a winter afternoon.
£42.50 per person
Spaces are limited, and this one is sure to be popular!
Book here https://www.thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk/event-details/christmas-wreath-workshop

Christmas Signing Extravaganza! With Nick Butterworth.
2025-12-06 13:00 - 16:00 | 12-13 High Street, CO1 1DA Colchester, United Kingdom, 12-13 High Street, CO1 1DA Colchester, United Kingdom
We are delighted to welcome the brilliant children’s author Nick Butterworth to our store for a lunchtime signing of his picture books!
Once Upon a Journey is the latest instalment in the Adventures of Percy the Park Keeper and His Animal Friends. Percy creates a wind car and whisks his friends away for a magical evening of camping… but the car rolls into a pond! Perhaps Randolph the reindeer will come to his rescue?!
This is sure to be a joyous event, so bring along your little ones (or yourself!) to meet this wonderful author!

Miniature Painting Competition
2025-12-06 11:00 - 17:00 | Dice & A Slice, 37 Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PQ, GB
We are excited to be hosting the first Dice & a Slice Miniature Painting Competition!
Flex your painting skills! Prizes to be won!
Submit any single based miniature from 11am – the winner will be announced at 5pm that same day!
Sign up at the link below…
https://forms.gle/nLQi8ZndcVR7jrQFA

Charity Live Stream and Party
2025-12-06 11:00 - 14:00 | The Bull Crouch St Colchester
Join the Mojams crew as we host our second annual fundraising DJ Live Stream from The Soundhouse at The Bull on Crouch Street in Colchester from 11am until midnight!
Drop in to say hello while Christmas shopping or grabbing lunch in town, and participate on one of our fundraising games in aid of Suicide&Co, or join us at any point and stay until the end for a full on party Mojams style.
Tickets are free and available on Skiddle, but if you’d like to make a donation then we’d be very grateful.

Christmas Craft Market
2025-12-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Spring Lane, Colchester, Spring Lane, Colchester
🎄✨ Join us on 6th December for our Christmas Craft Market! Discover handmade gifts, festive treats, and plenty of holiday cheer. It’s the perfect chance to shop local and get into the Christmas spirit. See you there! 🎁🌟
