Keep Colchester Cool

MECHROMORPH + REPULSED, WNTER HOTEL @ TWM, COLCHESTER
2025-11-28 19:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | 60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom, 60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom
Brace yourself as Mechromorph unleash their mechanical fury on Colchester this November for a hometown headliner. The Essex titans of brutality are celebrating a Bloodstock crusade this summer with a vile display of slam for their home county. Joining them are Repulsedand Winter Hotel, completing a lineup that promises an extreme nights of live music as we close off 2025. Whether you’re into Death Metal, Slam, Deathcore, or Beatdown, this is a show that demands your presence — no compromises, no survivors.

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
2025-11-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Patch, 24 Trinity Street, Colchester CO1 1JN, Patch, 24 Trinity Street, Colchester CO1 1JN
Come and make a gorgeous Christmas wreath at Patch!
£42.50 including a soft drink and cake
All materials included and no experience necessary.
Email info@thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk via PayPal or bank transfer (no fees) or eventbrite (fees apply)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1459953232419?aff=oddtdtcreator

Davis Angus Live At The Brewhouse
2025-11-27 19:30 - 22:30 | 7 Queen Street, CO1 2PG Colchester, United Kingdom, 7 Queen Street, CO1 2PG Colchester, United Kingdom
David Angus is a bona fide troubadour hailing from the bonny lands of Aberdeen, Scotland. This dexterous singer-songwriter has been weaving sonic tales and serenading the crowds of his hometown since 2012, whether he’s busking on street corners or headlining prestigious venues. With his trusty acoustic guitar as his main companion, David’s music runs the gamut from tender, folksy ballads that tug at the heartstrings to electrifying rock anthems that elicit a primal howl of joy.

The Lexden Crown presents An Old Skool Pen and Paper Quiz with Big Jim
2025-11-27 19:00 - 22:30 | The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub – Colchester, The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub - Colchester
The Lexden Crown presents an Old Skool Pen and Paper QuizIts Time to take it back to the Old Skool, with a Pen and Paper style Quiz.
Big Jims Old Skool Pub Quiz, fun for all, with 5 themed rounds of quiz fun, including both Audio and Picture rounds and the return of the World famous Stealer round, to steal the win on the last question, as well.
£2.50 per person, max 6 people per team.
So grab a pen, round up your friends or family and welcome back that old skool feeling of quizzing on a Thursday Night with Big Jim
Great food and drinks offers avaiable, and it’s pizza night with there great wood fired pizzas, as well as a great bistro pub with a warm atomsphere and lovely people, and an average quizmaster.
Come and test your teams knowledge against Colchesters finest Quiz Teams, enjoy some food, beer and a great atmosphere,whilst getting Quizzical with one of Colchester;s finest Quiz Hosts
See you there My Quizzy Quiz Loving Preps

National Theatre Live: The Fifth Step
2025-11-27 19:00 - 22:00 | Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, GB
Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, The Responder) in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland.
After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend.
Finn den Hertog directs the provocative and entertaining production filmed live from @sohoplace on London’s West End.

Wivenhoe Funny Farm 7.30pm start!
2025-11-27 19:00 - 21:30 | Wivenhoe Bowls Club, Woodland Way, Colchester, CO79, GB
Booking info at bottom of this post.
Thursday 27th November 7.30pm to 9.30pm – back at Wivenhoe Bowls Club – doors 7pm (please use Woodland Way entrance)
Top notch live stand-up comedy from Paul Ricketts“material is smart as well as funny” THE SCOTSMAN
“weird and wonderful… should be given his own TV show” THE STAGE“distinctive and extraordinary” FRINGE GURU
“highly accomplished” TIME OUT “excels as a natural story-teller” THREE WEEKS“pretty f**king good” GREG DAVIES
Support:
Tamsin Sarkany as Amelia CrotchettMusical Comedy Awards finalist 2023, “highly skilled… ingenious” – Chortle
and Becky Mathieson
MC Hazel Humphreys​
Please read!ALL BOOKINGS NEED TO BE CONFIRMED VIA HAZEL – email – FUNNYFARMCOMEDY@GMAIL.COM
PLEASE PAY IN ADVANCE unless agreed with us.
We will be asking for donations to help pay acts for reservations. Recommended £8.50 donation per seat booked (£7 concessions) but whatever you can manage.
This is an indoor gig at Wivenhoe Bowls Club starting 7.30pm (doors 7pm), there is limited seating available. Please book tables.
We will be requesting donations for table reservations in order to help us pay our professional acts. This would be preferable via BACs in advance.
This is a cracking comedy line-up with pro comics and the Funny Farm needs the audience’s help in covering the costs.
I’ve been asked by the Bowls Club to ask people to not form large queues at the bar and if possible return empty glasses at the end of the night. Done x

Life Drawing - Thursday, 27th November 2025
2025-11-27 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

UnderDog Crew Annual Showcase
2025-11-27 17:30 - 20:30 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
FILMTickets £10.Doors open 5.30pm, starts 6pm.This show is for a seated audience.
Join us at Colchester Arts Centre for the Underdog Crew Annual Showcase! Supporting Autism and ADHD through breaking down creative barriers and celebrating the brilliance within neuro diversity.
Get ready for a night of pure inspiration as our members and special guests poke a thumb in the eye of stigma and showcase another year of neurodiverse creative brilliance weaved around the UK Premiere of the latest episodes of the studio’s multi award winning teen drama series, ‘The Slip’.
Featuring:
UK Premiere screening of ‘The Slip’ episodes 3 and 4. Premiere screening of Colchester City ‘Teen Voices’ poetry rants. Special guest neurodiverse motivational speakers, followed by ‘I AM Foxy’ mini-doc. “SENtrepreneur’ panel discussion: ‘breaking stigma and getting ahead in life’. Live vocal perfomances by: Nicola ‘NIX’ Nugent. ‘Deeply Dolly’. The amazing Nicola Kelleher performing as Dolly Parton. ‘Marie Cole Hart’ . The Soulful songird. .. and special performance from Underdog Crew members Biba Watts and Assunta Jones.
This event is to raise funds for ‘The Underdog Crew CIC’ as part of their selection as Colchester Mayor’s charity for 2025.
KEY EVENT FEATURE: a ‘Vegas Tombola’, with some amazing prizes and experiences donated by local sponsors, including guest acting roles in ‘The Slip’ episode 5 and VIP on-set experiences.
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event that celebrates the underdogs who shine brightest despite many adverseries and limitations. Grab your tickets now and come support NEURODIVERSITY in our city!

Wonderful Wednesdays - Covered in Jam: That’s Not My Name
2025-11-26 20:00 - 23:00 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Pay what you can affordDoors open 7:30 pm, Show starts 8 pmThis show is for a seated audience
THIS is NOT a show about mental health. THIS is a DISORDER.
We’re just joking…We’re HALF joking…We’re BORDERLINE joking.
Have we rehearsed it? No comment.Have we written it? It depends.Is there a script? Ugh.But it is a comedy, right? A comedy about severe mental illness?!Who would do such a thing?! You. You psychopath. Fair enough.So it’s a PLAY? No it’s not a f*cking play. F*ck off with all the questions, I’m bored.
“Clinically Diagnosed Sociopath” – The Stage
Cast & Crew:
Written and performed by: Sammy TrotmanDirected by: Marceline RixSound & Lighting by: Scott WardProduced by: ASYLUM Arts & Covered in JamSupported by: Harlow Playhouse
Reviews:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Masterpiece of Mess” Broadway Baby★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Unlike anything you’ve seen before” Lost In Theatreland★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Spectacular and Borderline” A Youngish Perspective★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “She Is Sharp” NorthWest End★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Simply Exceptional” Theatre & Tonic★ ★ “Confrontational” Fringe Biscuit

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop with Dinner
2025-11-26 18:30 - 20:30 | The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub – Colchester, The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub - Colchester
Come and make a fresh Christmas wreath at The Lexden Crown followed by a choice of the following delicious dinner:
Chicken and Mushroom Pie & MashScampi and FriesThai Vegetable Curry & Rice
£52.50pp
All materials provided and no experience required.
Email info@thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.ukto book via PayPal or bank transfer (no fees) or via eventbrite or our website (fees apply)
https://www.thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk/event-details/wreath-making-workshop-with-dinner

Wargame Wednesday!
2025-11-26 18:00 - 22:00 | Dice & A Slice, 37 Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PQ, GB
Join us for an evening of Wargaming! Be it Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar, Necromunda, Battletech, Kill Team, Warcry or ANY wargame you like!
Bring your armies, some terrain if you have it and get involved!
£5 to play!

Refusal
2025-11-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, GB
Join us in the Lakeside Theatre Main House for the Homegrown production, Refusal, by Elena Botts. Elena is an artist and researcher at the University of Essex.
Across sound, glitch, refuse, moving image, sculpture, performance, and animation, this one-night show offers fragmentation as refusal of normative narrative regimes of spectacle.
This is a participatory gathering: the showcase of an eclectic group of artists is deliberate, in resonance with the exploratory theme, and after the set of performances, informal discussion is welcomed. Though each artist utilizes media differently, with different stories to tell, each also offers an openness towards the unknown vital to this conversation.
Tickets £5.50
Featured artists:Elena Botts, Ellen King, Pat Nininger, Hadiyan Yusuf Kuntoro, aly,willamina cutler-gear, Rachel Garfield, Yun Lu, Lu : Lucille : hebe Brownrigg

Writing Workshop: Plot and structure
2025-11-26 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 3 – Plot and structure:This week focuses on how to structure your piece with a three-act structure of a beginning, middle, and end. We’ll explore the purpose of each of these stages of the story, using Todorov’s narrative theory as the backbone of this explainer.

Africa’s Dust Under My Feet - Talk by Naomi Saul ARPS ASINWP EFIAP DPAGB APAGB BPE4*
2025-11-25 19:30 - 22:00 | Ireton Road, CO3 3AT Colchester, United Kingdom, Ireton Road, CO3 3AT Colchester, United Kingdom
Naomi invites us to join her on a stunning photographic journey through two of her favourite African destinations: the iconic Maasai Mara and the captivating landscapes of Southern Tanzania. Through her lens, she captures breathtaking images of wildlife thriving in their natural habitats – majestic creatures roaming freely across vast plains and vibrant birds soaring throughopen skies.
(Visitors £5.00)

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
2025-11-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Romano Lounge, Romano Lounge
Come and make a gorgeous Christmas wreath at the Romano Lounge!
£42.50 including a soft drink and cake
All materials included and no experience necessary.
Email info@thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk via PayPal or bank transfer (no fees) or eventbrite (fees apply)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1473726047279?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Medlars at Colchester Arts Centre
2025-11-24 19:30 - 22:30 | Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester Arts Centre
We will be at Colchester Folk Club/Colchester Arts Centre on Monday 24th November. Thanks to Elaine and Staff for asking us back! Hope to see you there.
Photo by Harry Scott

XGENERATIONX feat. Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet)
2025-11-23 19:00 - 22:00 | Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester Arts Centre
Celebrated original Generation X drummer Mark Laff returns with XGENERATIONX for a UK tour in November 2025.
Generation X were an English punk rock band, formed in London in 1976. They were the musical starting point of the career of their frontman Billy Idol and issued six singles that made the UK singles chart and two albums that reached the UK Albums Chart. The band’s UK hit singles include Your Generation, Ready Steady Go, King Rocker and Valley of the Dolls.

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
2025-11-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Romano Lounge, Romano Lounge
Come and make a gorgeous Christmas wreath at the Romano Lounge!
£42.50 including a soft drink and cake
All materials included and no experience necessary.
Email info@thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk via PayPal or bank transfer (no fees) or eventbrite (fees apply)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1473714603049?aff=oddtdtcreator

Art of the Roadz DJ Workshop
2025-11-23 16:00 - 18:00 | 74 High Street, CO1 1UE Colchester, United Kingdom, 74 High Street, CO1 1UE Colchester, United Kingdom
Learn to DJ with industry professionals in this FREE workshop funded by Essex County Council via the Arts and Cultural Fund, Colchester City Council, the Tudwick Foundation and Grassroots Charity.Exclusively for young people aged between 14 & 25.Please email artoftheroadz@gmail.com to book a space.

The Tango Zone’s Autumn Tea Dance @Marks Tey Parish Hall
2025-11-23 14:00 - 17:30 | Marks Tey Parish Hall, Old London Rd, Marks Tey, CO6 1EJ, GB
🍂The Tango Zone team is delighted to invite you to an AUTUMN TEA DANCE on SUNDAY 23rd NOVEMBER at Marks Tey Parish Hall, just outside Colchester. 🍂🍁Dance to TRADITIONAL tango music from our DJ Paul. Music will be in tandas of three with cortinas. There may be one or two surprise tandas! 🥳 Everyone welcome whatever your level of dancing! 🤗No need to book or bring a partner. Milonga from 2.00-5.30pm.£9 entry including nibbles. CASH ONLY PLEASE. Come along and help us celebrate the cosiness of Autumn and a continuing fantastic year of tango!🍂🍁🕺🏻💃🏻🎶
Venue: Marks Tey Parish Hall, Old London Road, Marks Tey, CO6 1EJ
Large free car park at the venue.
Attendance is at the risk and responsibility of the individual.

Christmas Workshop - Decoration Embroidery
2025-11-23 13:30 - 15:30 | 74 High Street, CO1 1UE Colchester, United Kingdom, 74 High Street, CO1 1UE Colchester, United Kingdom
Make a festive decoration with embroidery with our Festive Craft expert, Jen Rowley. All materials included – just come along for a relaxing two hours and get crafting.

Embroidered Decoration Making Workshop - The Minories
2025-11-23 12:30 - 15:30 | The Minories, Colchester, The Minories, Colchester
Make a festive decoration with embroidery with our Festive Craft expert, Jen Rowley.
All materials included – just come along for a relaxing two hours and get crafting.
Suitable for beginners.
Book Via the link below – https://www.theminories.org/event/christmas-workshop-decoration-embroidery

A morning with Robin Ince
2025-11-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester Arts Centre
A morning of poetry with Robin Ince (TICKET ONLY or BOOK & TICKET options
Email us@redlionbooks.co.uk for information or go to www.redlionbooks.co.uk/events
Sunday, 23rd November 2025, 11am at the wheelchair accessible venue Colchester Arts Centre.
Raising awareness and funds for Colchester Samaritans
Two ticketing options£20 ticket includes signed copy of the poetry collection book, ICE CREAM FOR A BROKEN TOOTH,and can be booked here,or£10 (entry ticket only).Tickets are virtual and don’t need to be collected.Once booked your name will be on the door
(The book will be available on the day for £12)
Poems about life, death and the odd bits in between An instinctual poetry collection pursuing the psychological essence of personal and societal wellbeing, explored through experiential neurodivergence and humanism.
Robin Ince’s Ice Cream for a Broken Tooth is a morning of Robin performing poetry from his first poetry collection and much more – stories of apes, astronauts and Judi Dench – Robin is best known for co-hosting the internationally successful The Infinite Monkey Cage with Brian Cox and his books including Bibliomaniac and Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal.

Paper Stars Workshop - The Minories
2025-11-23 09:30 - 12:30 | The Minories, Colchester, The Minories, Colchester
Time to get creative with our Christmas Craft expert, Jen Rowley.
Make some stunning paper stars that add a different layer to the rest of the decorations.
A perfect pre-Christmas activity with a friend and mince pie!
All materials provides, suitable for beginners.
Book Via the link below – https://www.theminories.org/event/christmas-workshop-seeing-stars

Christmas Workshop - Seeing Stars!
2025-11-23 09:30 - 11:30 | 74 High Street, CO1 1UE Colchester, United Kingdom, 74 High Street, CO1 1UE Colchester, United Kingdom
Time to get creative with our Christmas Craft expert, Jen Rowley. Make some stunning paper stars that add a different layer to the rest of the decorations. A perfect pre-Christmas activity with a friend and mince pie!

Harmonies and High Notes
2025-11-22 19:30 - 22:30 | Ardleigh, near Colchester, Ardleigh, near Colchester
📣📣📣📣 Chorus Iceni next event will be …Saturday 22nd November in Ardleigh!! Tickets available Now!! Do come along for a special evening of women’s beautiful voices including guest singer Alice Pescott Frost!!💜💜💜💜

A Little English Concert
2025-11-22 19:30 - 22:00 | St Botolphs Church, Colchester, GB
Join us for an evocative evening of quintessentially English music, featuring beloved works by Holst, Vaughan Williams, Walton, and Elgar. From the pastoral charm of Fantasia on Greensleeves and the English Folk Song Suite to the stately elegance of Warlock’s Capriol Suite, this programme celebrates the rich musical heritage of England.
Whether it’s the lyrical beauty of folk melodies or the stirring energy of ceremonial marches, this concert offers an uplifting and evocative journey through some of England’s finest orchestral writing.
This concert promises something for everyone – bold, beautiful, and unmistakably English.
Programme
Warlock: Capriol Suite (orchestral version)Vaughan Williams: English Folk Song SuiteVauhan Williams: Fantasia on GreensleevesHolst: 2 Songs Without Words, Marching Song, Country SongHolst: Suite in E♭Walton: Crown ImperialElgar: Chanson de NuitElgar: Chanson de Matin
Tickets on sale until 12:00pm on Saturday, 22 November 2025. Tickets available on the door from 7:00pm (subject to availability).

Essex Spirits Co Tasting Evening
2025-11-22 19:00 - 22:00 | 10 North Station Rd, Colchester
Back by popular demand!!!
An evening of sampling some of Essexs finest spirits.
£20 a ticket and includes several drinks and food from the Church Street Deli.
See staff for details and tickets, limited to 30 places so get booked in to avoid disappointment.

Fundraising Christmas Wreath Workshop for St Helena Hospice
2025-11-22 19:00 - 21:00 | St Teresa’s Catholic Church, St Teresa's Catholic Church
Christmas wreath making workshop, all profits will go to St. Helena Hospice, Colchester who looked after my Mum, Anne Rowley.
Saturday 22nd November 7pm
At the workshop you will make and decorate a fresh Christmas wreath, a hot beverage and mince pie includes.
All materials will be provided. Soft drinks and snacks can be purchased. Feel free to bring alcohol. And there will be a raffle!
£42.50pp
Email info@thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk to book via PayPal or bank transfer (no fees) or the website (fees apply)
https://www.thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk/event-details/christmas-wreath-making-workshop-3

A Peaceful Noise
2025-11-22 15:00 - 18:00 | Colchester
Multiple venues. One wristband. One very special day of rock & roll!
For one very special day, Colchester city centre will come alive with an incredible line-up across multiple independent venues — all accessible with just one wristband. Expect raw energy, packed rooms and an atmosphere like no other, as artists unite to play more, and play louder, in support of the Nick Alexander Music Trust.
With a STACKED line-up including Colchester’s own conquering punk heroes Pet Needs, grunge powerhouse Bridget, headline by alt-rock powerhouse Nova Twins plus a blistering mix of established names, underground favourites and fast-rising newcomers spanning punk, indie, hip-hop, alt-rock and beyond PLUS headliner and special guests still to be revealed this landmark takeover will be unmissable.
Join us. Play More. Play Louder.
On the bill: Ben Brown • Bridget • Dave J Giles • Deux Furieuses • False Heads • Fraser Morgan • Freya Beer • Hobo Chang • Hoof! • Lawrence Langmead’s Normality • Lost Movies • Non Canon • Oi MATE! • Oxygen Thief • Shed • Silver Light Reaction • The Judas Project • The Lamplight Club • The Wicked Ravens • Wilswood Buoys • X-Kaminski • artists from CLIP • + many more.
This special edition of the A Peaceful Noise gig series — which has previously hosted intimate, breathtaking performances from the likes of Joshua Homme, Frank Turner, Tom Grennan and Gaz Coombes — marks the 10th anniversary of the Bataclan terror attack, where Nick Alexander tragically lost his life aged just 35.
Proceeds from the event will go directly to the Nick Alexander Music Trust, providing instruments and equipment to disadvantaged community groups across the UK, ensuring music continues to inspire and empower future generations. A percentage will also be donated to the Mayor’s Charities
Tickets strictly limited.
Important Event Information
Age Restriction: All venues are strictly 18+.
Wristband Exchange: Your ticket must be exchanged for an official event wristband on the day. Please check https://ticket-holder-email-v2.tiiny.site for wristband exchange points and updates.
Venue Entry: Access to all participating venues is on a first come, first served basis. Once a venue reaches capacity, entry will be on a one in, one out basis. If there is a particular band you wish to see, we recommend arriving early as entry cannot be guaranteed once capacity is reached.
Schedules: Venue splits and full timings will be released closer to the event date.
Ticket Collection: If collecting tickets, the cardholder must be present for all tickets.
Line-up: The line-up may be subject to change. In the event of changes, no refunds will be issued.
Accessibility: For accessibility enquiries, please contact zoe@thenickalexandermusictrust.com.
