Keep Colchester Cool

BAG OF BONES @ KINGS ARMS COLCHESTER 4/5/25
2025-05-05 13:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | The Kings Arms, Colchester, The Kings Arms, Colchester
Impious Spirit Productions presents an afternoon of Live Music with Bag of Bones, at Kings Arms in Colchester, on Monday 5th May!
We’re excited to present Bag of Bones, for our first afternoon show this Bank Holiday Monday!
Playing rock and pop covers from 1pm to 4pm!
Free Entry!

JANE'S WALK 6: Looking Up at Colchester
2025-05-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Firstsite Colchester, Firstsite Colchester
What are we missing when we don’t look up at the buildings and skylines around Colchester City centre? Discover new vistas on a walk inspired by the work of Richard Arnopp and Adrian Rushton, who in 2024 took a series of photographs to record Colchester’s town centre buildings ‘from the first floor up’ (published on Colchester Civic Society’s website to celebrate their 60th anniversary). With Pamela Bradley.
Meet/End: 10.30am, Firstsite entrance (1.5m, 1.5hrs)
ACCESSIBILITY: A city centre walk that is hard-surfaced all the way and step-free.

Bank Holiday Bangers!
2025-05-04 21:00 - 2025-05-05 02:30 | Rubix Bar, Rubix Bar
Join us this coming Sunday night when we party into Bank Holiday Monday!
It’s FREE Entry all night and lots of Drinks deals!
DJ Jez will be mixing up the Biggest Dance Floor Bangers of all time! Expect everything from 70s Disco, 80s Retro, Throwback 90s & 00s Pop, Party and Dance plus the big floor fillers of 2025!

THE 1975 SPECIAL – A Night of Hits, Collab & Deep Cuts!
2025-05-04 21:00 - 2025-05-05 00:00 | 45 North Hill, CO1 1PY Colchester, United Kingdom
Join us at Twisters Bar on Sunday, May 4, 2025, for a hard-partying selection of The 1975’s biggest anthems, deep cuts, and collaborations, plus tunes from their friends and influences! DJ Rom Atkin will be spinning all the indie-pop magic you love.
🍻 Bar & Beer Garden open from 5 PM🎧 DJ kicks off from 9 PM
Get ready to dance, sing, and lose yourself in the sound of The 1975!

COLCHESTA - POPINA BAR - DANCING IN THE STREETS
2025-05-04 19:00 - 22:00 | Pöpinä – Lion Walk Courtyard – Colchester, Pöpinä - Lion Walk Courtyard - Colchester
It’s skank-holiday month in the UK….
Two beautiful days for the banks to rest their weary heads – all in a few weeks.
We all know that this means the summer is practically here….
Also, what better way to salute the hard working (rhymes with) bankers… than to come dance with your favourite horn blowin’ quintet?
Festivities start at 7pm.
We’re technically in the streets. it’s gonna be loud and it’s going to go off. don’t wanna miss this….

David Preston: Purple / Br Chaplinlack featuring Seb Rochford & Cono
2025-05-04 19:00 - 22:00 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Tickets £15.50 / £13.50 concessionsDoors open 7pm, show starts 7.30pmThis show is for a seated audience
David Preston: GuitarSeb Rochford: DrumsConor Chaplin: Bass
London based guitarist and composer, David Preston has been described by the Guardian as “Virtuosic” and TimeOut as “A superb modern jazz guitarist”. He released his debut album ‘Purple / Black’ on Whirlwind Recordings in April, 2023 featuring ECM recording artists, Kit Downes, Sebastian Rochford and bassist Kevin Glasgow.
A finalist at the Montreux International Guitar competition, David is composer and co-leader for the acclaimed UK modern-jazz trio ‘Preston Glasgow Lowe’ and has released two albums (’16 & ’18) on UK/US label, Whirlwind Recordings. The trio has performed internationally in Japan and Europe as well as playing over 150 concerts throughout the UK.
David has been active as a sideman to a variety of UK musicians such as Jeremy Stacey, Lianne La Havas, Nathaniel Facey, Asaf Sirkis, Peter Ind, Emma Rawicz, Eska, Goldie & the Heritage Orchestra, Jamie Murray, and the internationally celebrated piano and drum virtuoso Gary Husband. He has performed/toured/recorded with many US artists such as Grammy-Winning US jazz vocalists Melody Gardot, Curtis Stigers, Jesse Harris, and notable US based musicians Sy Smith, David Binney, Ingrid Jensen, Charnett Moffett, Patrick Cornelius and Tim Armacost.
Purple / Black received Editors Choice and a 4 star review in May issue of Jazzwise Magazine.

JANE'S WALK EVENT/TALK: 'Care in the Countryside'
2025-05-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Headgate Theatre, Headgate Theatre
With British writer and social historian, Ken Worpole (‘Brightening from the East: Essays on landscape & memory’, 2025), ‘a literary original… whose books combine the Orwellian ideal of common decency with understated erudition’ (The New Statesman). The relentless global relocation from countryside to cities, means ‘rural life will be increasingly inhabited by an ageing population’, an opportunity Worpole argues, ‘to reconfigure and innovate rural life as something not to be feared but as a chance for innovation and a renewal of local civic pride’.
Venue/Time: The Headgate Theatre, 7-9pm (doors 6.30pm). Tickets on door (Pay as You Feel).

Jamie Williams & The Roots Collective
2025-05-04 17:30 - 20:30 | 10 North Station Rd, Colchester
The boys are back!!
Free gig and donations encouraged!!

Calm At The Castle
2025-05-04 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 on the galleries by turning off audio and visuals, whilst 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.
Booking not required – just buy your ticket to the Castle when you arrive.

JANE'S WALK 5: A People’s History of Colchester
2025-05-04 14:30 - 17:00 | Colchester War Memorial, Colchester War Memorial
An alternative look at our city’s history, this time from below. How did the people – & not the kings, queens, lords & generals – forge our city’s story? With Bryn Griffiths.
Bryn is not a professional historian and he only claims to be making a small contribution to our city’s story but he hopes to encourage others to find out more. He is inspired by the socialist historians such as Rodney Hilton, Christopher Hill, Eric Hobsbawm and EP Thompson. If you want to know more about these people Bryn recently published a podcast with the American historian, Professor Harvey J Kaye, to discuss how we might forge a history from below. You can have a listen here:https://youtu.be/gNE6C_sb58Q?si=YRYcoD6t3B0tDbuI
If you came last year, you can expect some new sites and stories as the people’s story continues to unfold! This year the Jane’s Walks people’s history theme gets a boost as Bryn will also be hosting an evening event on Bank Holiday Monday with historian Professor Corinne Fowler who is the author of the fantastic book Our Island Stories Country Walks Through Colonial Britain (see elsewhere in the programme).
We will end the walk, but continue to talk about our city history, with a well-earned drink in the Odd One Out aka “the Oddie”.
Meet: Sunday 2.30 pm, at the War Memorial (2.5hrs).
Bryn Griffiths is a local labour movement activist. He can often be found on protests and community actions in Colchester doing his best to help write the next chapter of Colchester’s history from below!
Meet: 2.30pm, The War Memorial., Colchester High Street End: Colchester Town Station. (2.5m, 2.5hrs).
ACCESSIBILITY: A city centre walk that is hard-surfaced all the way and step-free. Some medium-steep gradients. Wheelchair users in need of assistance will find plenty of help on hand, but please be in touch to discuss further if necessary.

Albion Music Day
2025-05-04 12:00 - 15:00 | Ye Olde Albion Pub, High Street, Rowhedge, Colchester, CO5 7ES, GB
Our all day music event returns! Multiple bands over the course of the day – come and discover someone new!

JANE'S WALK 4: South of Southway: Life and living at home and at work
2025-05-04 11:30 - 13:30 | Abbey Gate Street, Colchester, CO2 7, United Kingdom, Abbey Gate Street, Colchester, CO2 7, United Kingdom
Communities divided by road building. Rich and poor in separate roads. Local people’s stories, wartime from siege to WW2, rags to riches, the nurses home, changes in demography and character. And some local history… With Sheila Kelly.
Meet: 11.30am, Abbeygate St. by underpass. End: former Essex County Hospital (1.5m, 2hrs)
ACCESSIBILITY:This walk is fully wheelchair friendly, pavements and footpaths, with crossing points on dropped kerbs. Some slopes on underpasses and at St Johns Green. Some uneven footpaths around Beaconsfield and Creffield Roads.

JANE'S WALK 3: Weans Walk Wild in Wellies in Wivenhoe Woods
2025-05-04 10:30 - 13:00 | Wivenhoe railway station, Wivenhoe railway station
Go wild, enjoy games & fun activities with Forest School leader, Jean Quinn. Children of all ages (up to 12 years accompanied by an adult). May be too long for 2-3 year-olds, usually too muddy for pushchairs. Break for snacks; bring a drink.
Meet: 10.30am, Wivenhoe Railway Station car park, CO7 9DJ (what3words.com ///rock.achieving.cheer), (1.5m, 2.5hrs)
ACCESSIBILITY:This wooded walk is usually very muddy (unless we’ve had a really dry spell beforehand) with slopes & camber, and sometimes tree trunks to clamber over, so unfortunately it’s accessibility for wheelchair users is compromised. Please be in touch to discuss.

Raku Club - Communal Firing, Session 2
2025-05-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Boxted Road,Mile End,CO4 5HH,GB, Boxted Road,Mile End,CO4 5HH,GB
**Please Read Full Description Before Submitting Your Order**
Makerspace Raku Club – Communal Raku Firing Session held at Cuckoo Farm Studios.
Led by Peter Jones with support from Makerspace Technician Ed Dan — we supply all the Raku glazes, materials and fire — you just need to bring your ceramics!
IMPORTANT NOTES:– Booking for the course will be closed 5 working days prior to the session date– A minimum of 5 attendees need to sign up for this course in advance for it to go ahead– If cancelled, members will be informed and refunded– Otherwise no refunds or transfers– We provide a separate, optional Raku Club – Hand Building session – for those needing support on how to hand build clay objects suitable for raku firing. See Our Classes for Details: https://www.makercampus.co.uk/raku– You will be working outside, so please dress appropriately– Vegan soup, sourdough bread and drinks will be provided– Raku firing is a rapid process, only a few objects at a time will be able to be fired; this means the session will be extended over the whole day– The process has limits in terms of object size and suits objects that are not too big, a size of H200mm vase form is approximately the largest that can be managed safely
ABOUT RAKURaku is a rapid low-firing process that is inspired by the traditional Japanese Raku firing. Contemporary Western-style Raku involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat around 1000 centigrade and placing it into containers with combustible materials such as sawdust. Once the materials ignite, the containers are closed. This produces an intense reduction atmosphere which affects the colours in glazes and clay bodies. The thermal shock of this also produces cracking/crazing, producing unexpected outcomes.
If you have any questions regarding the course, please email hello@makercampus.co.uk
About the Artist leading the session: Led by Peter Jones, a ceramic artist who has run his own studio for over 26 years. He has exhibited widely and is currently an associate artist for the British ceramics biennial, and consults and assist on many technical aspects of ceramics for artists and organisations. He was senior technician at Colchester Art school, teaching the 3D Design and Craft Degree.
Please read our cancellation/refunds policy: www.makercampus.co.uk/refunds-policy
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

Retro Night!
2025-05-03 21:00 - 2025-05-04 03:00 | Rubix Bar, Rubix Bar
A special Retro Night for Bank Holiday Saturday!
2 DJs over 2 Floors playing 70s Disco, 80s Classics, 90s club Anthems plus a slice of Pop & Party!
A proper night of Retro Escspism which you won’t want to miss!
Free Entry before 11pm and 2 Cocktails for just £8 all night!

Colchester Castle Ghost Hunt Colchester Essex with Haunting Nights
2025-05-03 21:00 - 2025-05-04 03:00 | Colchester Castle, Colchester Castle
Haunting Nights Ghost Hunts in Colchester Essex
Haunting Nights Ghost Adventure Continues. Join the fastest growing ghost adventure company as we return to England’s ancient capital city in haunted Essex
Colchester Castle has the accolade of being one of the most haunted castles in the UK. This foreboding castles history began almost 2000 years ago as a significant Roman temple of which much still remains.
Deep under the castle are the vaults of the temple with its own chilling atmosphere. The activity that we have witnessd in the vaults can only be described as simply terrifying!
The Castles bloody history is evident as we take you into the very cells used by witchfinder general Matthew Hopkins, unspeakable atrocities took place here and they have certainly left there inprint of the sinister cells
Colchester Castle in Essex has so many areas to investigate all with their own ghostly tales to tell
Jon the Haunting Nights team as we plunge into the darkness and as we attempt to experience the activity that is so frequently reported

What Would Dolly Do? - Bank Holiday Weekend Country Club Night | Colchester | THIS WEEKEND 🤠
2025-05-03 21:00 - 2025-05-04 01:00 | Three Wise Monkeys Colchester
Country lovers! We’re bringing What Would Dolly Do? Country Club Night back to Colchester on May Bank Holiday weekend! The biggest Country anthems and Nashville classics at Three Wise Monkeys on Saturday 3rd May!
Tickets on sale now from: skiddle.com/e/40649635
Expect to hear Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Lady A, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Johnny Cash, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band, Chris Stapleton, LeAnn Rimes, Florida Georgia Line, Darius Rucker and loads more!

The Bull - Colchester
2025-05-03 21:00 - 2025-05-04 00:00 | The Bull Colchester, The Bull Colchester
Playing the biggest Britpop & Indie anthems.

Shade Of Envy + Dharma Hounds + We Fought A Bear Once
2025-05-03 20:00 - 23:00 | Queen St Brewhouse, 7 - 9 Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PG, GB
Its nearly time for our next gig in Colchester on Saturday 3rd May where we’ll be headlining Queen St Brewhouse, playing alongside the amazing Dharma Hounds and We Fought a Bear Once🔥
Tickets only £6: https://www.skiddle.com/e/40910047 🎟
Thanks to JAR Records for organising 🤘

TMM: House of Madness Multi Genre: Colchester
2025-05-03 20:00 - 23:00 | 51 St John’s St, Colchester CO2 7AD, 51 St John's St, Colchester CO2 7AD
Get ready for the Madness
with this electric Line up from Drum And Bass To Hard House Anythings Possible get ready for the ride of your life and be prepared to have a Mad night.
This night we be a Madness
in the heart of Colchester Essex
£4 on the door £2 online
8pm till 3am LOUNGE 5151 St John’s St, Colchester CO2 7AD
Be prepared for a Madness See you on the dancefloor!! https://www.skiddle.com/e/40935367

The LipSinkers
2025-05-03 20:00 - 23:00 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Tickets £12 / £10 concessions.Doors open 8pm, starts 8.30pm.
The LipSinkers were formed in East London in 2006 and have developed an international reputation for punk ethos drag, dance and satire.
Now with one foot firmly in Colchester (talk about legs akimbo!), their latest onslaught skids into Colchester Arts for May Day weekend.
“Camp, Cult and Glorious” The Times“Vagabond drag” Grace Dent, The Guardian
@thelipsinkerswww.thelipsinkers.com

JAR Nights presents - Shade Of Envy + Dharma Hounds + We Fought a Bear Once
2025-05-03 20:00 - 23:00 | Queen St Brewhouse, 7 - 9 Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PG, GB
JAR Nights presents
Headliners Shade Of Envy will bring the noise with unique blends of punk and rock. 5 lads ready to rock your socks off.
Dharma Hounds come from Chelmsford and bring their brand of heavy rock n roll tunes alongside intriguing stage presence.
On first is We Fought a Bear Once, heavy pop punk tunes and great chemistry. Get down early to show your support!

Jane's Walk Colchester Launch & Grand Quiz 2025
2025-05-03 18:45 - 21:45 | Cardinal Bourne R.c. Church Hall, Cardinal Bourne R.c. Church Hall
Join us at the Cardinal Bourne Hall for the now traditional fundraising Grand Quiz night., formally opening our week of walks & evening events, and toasting the festival namesake Jane Jacobs.
Doors open 6.45pm for a 7pm (prompt!) start
BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS (alcohol and soft), glasses to drink from.
TEAMS/TABLES of 4-6. Ideally get a team together with friends beforehand. But don’t be put off booking if you are not part of a team – there are bound to be teams formed on the night and spare seats on tables!
Catering this year by the fabulous @beckysbake5
RAFFLE with some GREAT TOP PRIZES
We really look forward to seeing you there!
TICKETS available here:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/janes-walk-colchester-launch-grand-quiz-2025-tickets-1295591742779?aff=oddtdtcreator

Beltane Women's Circle Celebration
2025-05-03 17:00 - 20:30 | The Tree Room, The Tree Room
Beltane Women’s Circle CelebrationSaturday, 3rd May, 17:00 – 20:30
Join us for a heart-warming evening to honour Beltane, the ancient Celtic festival celebrating the height of spring and the approach of summer. Together, we will gather as women to embrace the spirit of connection, growth, and renewal in a nurturing and sacred space.
What to Expect: • Opening Ceremony: We will begin by creating a sacred circle, setting intentions, and connecting to the vibrant energy of Beltane. • Guided Practices: Take part in meditative moments, grounding rituals, and activities to honour the turning of the seasons. • Shared Meal: Enjoy a lovingly prepared, nourishing dinner, along with snacks and herbal teas, crafted to support your body and soul. • Sisterhood Connection: Reflect, share, and laugh together, creating bonds and celebrating the power of women in community. • Closing Ritual: Release our intentions to the universe as we conclude our celebration under the magic of this sacred evening.
Details:📅 Date: Saturday, 3rd May⏰ Time: 17:00 – 20:30📍 Location: The Tree Room, Colchester 🏷️£55.00 per person 🍴 Includes dinner, snacks, and herbal tea
This circle is open to all women who wish to celebrate the turning of the wheel, nurture their inner light, and connect with like-minded souls.
Spaces are limited, so book early to secure your place!
Booking Information:
https://dharmabelle.co.uk/event/beltane-womens-circle/
Come as you are, and leave nourished in body, mind, and spirit. Celebrate the abundance of life this Beltane with us.

Distorted Model live at Coda, Colchester, Essex (Acoustic)
2025-05-03 16:00 - 19:00 | Coda Colchester, Coda Colchester
On Saturday 3rd May we are playing a Acoustic set at Coda in Colchester, doors 3pm. Free Entry
This performance will feature Ginny, Scottie and Simon only.

CODA - Acoustic Showcase
2025-05-03 15:00 - 17:30 | 63 High street, co1 1dn Colchester, United Kingdom, 63 High street, co1 1dn Colchester, United Kingdom
A Saturday afternoon showcase featuring:Distorted ModelJames BroomfieldTom HarberStu E Skinner (Hosting)Event Info:A weekly event featuring 3 to 5 acts performing live acoustic sets between 3-5:30pm.Hot & cold beverages served from 2:30pm onwards.This is a family friendly event so younglings are welcome providing they’re properly managed.Mics, pa and backline are provided but performers are welcome to bring their own microphones etc

JANE'S WALK 2: Time to cherish or perish! A pilgrimage about protection
2025-05-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Hythe railway station, Hythe railway station
The gathering of souls for a rotary roam around the Hythe and New Town wards. The congregation will assemble for a reflective walk on how elements of life have been saved from peril and demise over the years. With Steve Shaw.
Meet: 2pm, Hythe Station (what3words.com ///plants.slowly.kick), (2m, 2hrs)
ACCESSIBILITY: The walking route will be hard-surfaced and fully accessible, avoiding steps and using dropped kerbs throughout, save for a short uneven gravel section of footpath. But plenty of help on hand if necessary.

Magic the Gathering Duel Commander Event
2025-05-03 12:30 - 17:00 | ACE Comics, 42 Culver Street East, Colchester, CO1 1LE, GB
Come join in our short notice duel commander event. The first in a long time. This is a 1v1 commander event rather than the usual multi player game.Duel Commander puts a different twist on the 100 card deck we all love to play.
This will be a swiss style event and each round will be best of 3 in a 50 min time frame. Unlike multi-player commander you will start on 20 life. It will be a 3 round event.
Prize support will be Modern Horizons 3 booster per player into the prize pot & everyone gets one for turning up too. Promo packs on offer also.
Start Time: 12:30pmCost: £18.00
Here is a link to the official rules of duel commander https://www.duelcommander.com/en/whatiscommander/and the current banned listhttps://www.duelcommander.com/en/

Star Wars Unlimited League
2025-05-03 12:15 - 17:00 | ACE Comics, 42 Culver Street East, Colchester, CO1 1LE, GB
New to the calendar Star Wars™: Unlimited league. Join for our Star Wars Unlimited league day & challenge your inner light or dark side.
How it works
Our bi-weekly league session for Star Wars™: Unlimited will give you plenty of casual play opportunities throughout the weeks. This is a great opportunity to meet new players, trade cards and pick up new stock while available. All you need to do is challenge a fellow player to a best of 3 match and you will both receive a weekly play booster (1 per week per player). Then each win will gain you 2 points on our league chart & 1 point if you lost. At the end of a set cycle we will then give out some extra prizes to the top 2 and some random prize going to anyone that has a point on the league chart.
Whats the cost?£5 each week, but everyone gets a Star Wars™: Unlimited booster during the event.
Start time: 12:15
Please note all of these events have limited spaces of 24 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.

Mushroom workshop with Biome London
2025-05-03 11:00 - 15:00 | 74 High Street, CO1 1UE Colchester, United Kingdom, 74 High Street, CO1 1UE Colchester, United Kingdom
Biome London will be hosting a practical workshop giving you a chance to learn how to inoculate logs and create mushroom beds for your projects at home.Mycelium dowels will be available pre order after the workshop.There will be an opportunity to buy lunch in the cafe from 1-2pm, please note lunch is not included in the ticket price.
