News

Keep Colchester Cool is your independent guide to what’s happening in Colchester, bringing together the latest news from the city’s music, arts, culture and community scene.

Read interviews, event previews, festival news and stories from across Colchester’s creative and community life.

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Secret Island Festival returns to Mersea Island for its biggest weekend yet
Wed, July 29, 2026

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Geoff Lawrence exhibition to open at The Foresters Arms
Tue, July 28, 2026

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MickFest at Colchester Arts Centre to celebrate Hippy Mick
Mon, July 27, 2026
Caroline Rhys-Lewis and Jonathan Rhys-Lewis ahead of their Summer Exhibition at The Minories in Colchester.

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A shared artistic journey goes on show at The Minories
Fri, July 24, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Final Queen Mixes Drag, Circus and Horror
Wed, July 22, 2026

Colchester Fringe

James Domestic Thinks You Might Like Poetry After All
Tue, July 21, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Alice Keys’ Rocket Fan Heads to Colchester
Tue, July 21, 2026

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Our Country’s Good – Richard Bland Interview
Fri, July 17, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Meet William Dorsey Swann in The Real Black Swann
Fri, July 17, 2026

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Chris Allard Returns to Colchester Arts Centre with Dreamweavers
Fri, July 17, 2026
Christopher Sainton-Clark performing A Year and a Day

Colchester Fringe

A Year and a Day is coming to Colchester
Thu, July 16, 2026
Leon the Poet in The Cult Kid and Me

Colchester Fringe

How Leon the Poet Found His Way Back to Himself
Wed, July 15, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Adam Larter Pokes Fun at Our Obsession with the 90s
Tue, July 14, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Stephen Smith Brings Edgar Allan Poe to Life Alone on Stage
Tue, July 14, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Paul Richards Heads to Offgridland
Mon, July 13, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Choir Brings Rocking the Folly! to The Minories
Fri, July 10, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Karen Hall Mixes Bach, Clowning and Comedy
Fri, July 10, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Kate-Lois Elliott Takes on the Tradwife Trend
Thu, July 9, 2026

News

Porteous on Change, Songwriting and Keeping Music Human
Mon, July 6, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Will Davies Asks Whether We Still Need Heroes
Fri, July 3, 2026

Colchester Fringe

The Essex Women Behind Three Wise Women
Thu, July 2, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Jazz Ely Draws on Her Own Experience for Breathe…
Thu, July 2, 2026

News

Mojams Events Returns to Roots & Grooves on 4th July
Wed, July 1, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Harrison Kirby Introduces Dr Jansen Majenkas
Wed, July 1, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Boudica & Me Comes to Colchester Fringe
Tue, June 30, 2026

News

Luke Hayes on Hollyhock Café, community and Colchester
Tue, June 30, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Thao Cao Brings What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Funnier to Colchester Fringe
Sat, June 27, 2026

Colchester Fringe

Pup Play Returns to Colchester Fringe
Fri, June 26, 2026

News

Jo Coldwell, Red Lion Books and Colchester
Thu, June 25, 2026

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Ady Johnson Releases New Album Under Gainsborough Skies
Wed, June 24, 2026

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From Panini Stickers to Punk Energy – Five Colchester Events
Sat, June 20, 2026

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Lesley Watson Presents a Day of Music at the Victoria Inn
Fri, June 19, 2026

Colchester Fringe News

Colchester Fringe Summer Weekender 2026 Guide
Tue, June 16, 2026

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Phill Jupitus Brings Art and Conversation to The Minories
Mon, June 15, 2026
DJ Pogo at Roots & Grooves in Colchester

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DJ Pogo: Forty Years of Hip-Hop and Colchester
Wed, June 10, 2026

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Castle Park Theatre Returns with Fifth Summer Season
Mon, June 8, 2026

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Music Coverage on Keep Colchester Cool
Sat, June 6, 2026

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Simon Craze Completes Input-Process-Output
Thu, June 4, 2026

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Alan Garnett reflects on 25 Years at North Primary and Nursery School
Tue, June 2, 2026

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Colchester Morris celebrates 100 years with city-wide Day of Dance
Mon, June 1, 2026

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Three Times A Day – remembering the Colchester scene
Sun, May 31, 2026

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Chai Mixers Launches at Colchester Arts Centre
Fri, May 22, 2026

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Love Colchester Celebrations at Firstsite
Wed, May 20, 2026

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Theatre Coverage on Keep Colchester Cool
Wed, May 20, 2026

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Mayor’s Variety Show Brings Colchester Performers Together
Mon, May 18, 2026

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Roots and Grooves Cafe Moves into Its Next Chapter
Fri, May 15, 2026

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Marc De’ath on Made in Essex and Counting Culture
Thu, May 14, 2026

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The Colchester Independent Short Film Festival at Firstsite
Tue, May 12, 2026

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Toby Freeman on the RCT and Colchester Half Marathon
Mon, May 11, 2026

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Punk Weekender at Firstsite celebrates Sue Webster
Sun, May 3, 2026

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Promise at the Headgate Theatre – Review
Fri, May 1, 2026

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Lily of The Meffs talks MEFF-FEST 3 and a huge year ahead
Wed, April 29, 2026

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James Domestic – Punk Poet’s Poetry Books Reviewed
Tue, April 28, 2026

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Gregory Edwards launches Colchester Comedian of the Year 2026
Mon, April 27, 2026

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Festen at the Headgate Theatre – Wendy Smith Interview
Fri, April 24, 2026

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The Invincibles – Headgate Theatre Colchester Review
Thu, April 23, 2026

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Graham Coxon’s Castle Park album inspired by Colchester
Mon, April 20, 2026

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Emerging Colchester Artists Take Over Firstsite in New Exhibition
Thu, April 16, 2026

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Pint of Science festival returns to Colchester pubs
Wed, April 15, 2026

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House of Joy – Independent Bookshop on Crouch Street
Mon, April 13, 2026

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Jane’s Walk Colchester returns with a week of free community walks
Sun, April 12, 2026

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Punk Rock comes to Colchester Library with Stage Craft @ Young Company
Fri, April 10, 2026

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Soundwave Sessions return to Castle Park Bandstand
Wed, April 8, 2026

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Toto The Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape at Mercury Theatre – Review
Wed, April 8, 2026

Book Review

Dear Jane by Chris Clement-Payne – Book Review
Tue, April 7, 2026

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Legendary DJ Colin Curtis heads to Colchester for Rhythm Loft
Wed, April 1, 2026

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Johnno Casson aka Snippet returns with Soft Lad
Mon, March 30, 2026

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Banksy Exhibition Announced for Colchester at The Minories
Fri, March 27, 2026

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Essex Book Festival 2026 – Colchester Events
Thu, March 26, 2026

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Love and Information at Mercury Theatre Studio – Review
Mon, March 23, 2026

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Wind in the Willows – Mercury Theatre Colchester Review
Sun, March 22, 2026

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Charles Debenham – The Man Who Painted Colchester
Thu, March 19, 2026

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The SKBs Interview – The Second Act
Tue, March 17, 2026

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John Robins at Open Your Heart for Open Road – Colchester Arts Centre Review
Tue, March 17, 2026

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Art at the Headgate Theatre – Review
Thu, March 12, 2026

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The Five Parishes Show in Peldon celebrates 90 years
Thu, March 12, 2026

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Spaceman’s Guided Tour of Colchester
Wed, March 11, 2026

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Practically Imperfect at the Headgate Theatre – Review
Mon, March 9, 2026

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Sub Titles Over – Lakeside Theatre Review
Fri, March 6, 2026

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The Invincibles meet Colchester United Women
Tue, March 3, 2026

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Open Road brings John Robins to Colchester Arts Centre
Fri, February 27, 2026

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On Golden Pond at the Headgate Theatre – Review
Thu, February 26, 2026

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Dr Cameron Abbott-Betts – Headgate Theatre and Global Spotlight
Wed, February 25, 2026

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Tree of Life at the Mercury Theatre – Review
Mon, February 23, 2026

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Rodney Appleyard on Colchester, Community and the Mayor’s Variety Show
Sun, February 22, 2026

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Dagenham’s Invincibles – The Original Lionesses Return to the Stage
Tue, February 17, 2026

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Why Steve Green and Tim Young Started Alternative Colchester
Sun, February 15, 2026

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Interview: Jeanie from the Mountains
Fri, February 6, 2026

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Blues and Rock in the Garden returns this summer
Tue, February 3, 2026

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Discover Colchester Walking Tours with Founder Sophie Cole
Sun, February 1, 2026

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Review: Guys and Dolls at the Mercury Theatre
Fri, January 30, 2026

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Review: Two Come Home at the Lakeside Theatre
Mon, January 26, 2026

News Theatre

Keep Colchester Cool Theatre Awards 2025 – Winners and Highlights
Sat, January 24, 2026

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Review: Sherlock Holmes Smells Evil at the Headgate Theatre
Tue, January 6, 2026

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Review: Shrek the Musical at Charter Hall
Sun, December 21, 2025

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Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The Headgate Theatre
Fri, December 5, 2025

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Keep Colchester Cool Theatre Awards 2025 – The Nominees
Mon, November 24, 2025

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Review: Easy Virtue at The Headgate Theatre
Thu, November 20, 2025

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A Peaceful Noise – Colchester: Full Venue Guide
Sun, November 16, 2025

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Review: A Christmas Carol at The Headgate Theatre
Thu, November 13, 2025

Latest News

Latest News