First Thursdays Festival
Creativity around every corner...
First Thursdays is a monthly festival with events throughout Colchester city centre! The festival celebrates the city’s vibrant and diverse cultural scene, seeing venues thrown open for the community, with fantastic performances, workshops and interactive experiences. Many creatives featured responded to our Creative Commissions Fund where we seek exciting performance, workshop and installations from Colchester and Tendring creatives.
Our next festival is Feb 5th 2025. The full programme can be found below.
You can reserve your place at one of our events by booking your ticket in advance (most of which are FREE). Or, if there is capacity you can just turn up and enjoy.
What’s On This Month
Love Is A Bruise @ Headgate Theatre
Dougie is a gay veteran, Nick and Ray are straight. . A terrifying incident brings them together, but the battle has only just begun. Play the game.
The Colchester Fringe 2025 sell-out theatre show is back for LGBTQ+ history month.
8pm-9pm
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
Fantabulosa @The Dragonfly Lounge
Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with a dazzling LGBTQ+ Cabaret Night at The Dragonfly Lounge, as part of Creative Colchester’s First Thursdays festival.
Showcasing a vibrant mix of LGBTQ+ artists across performance, music, and comedy, this joyful evening promises bold talent, community spirit, and unforgettable moments. Hosted by the fabulous Shar Cooterie, the night will celebrate queer creativity and community. Keep an eye out for the full line-up!
8pm-9:30pm
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
Our LGBTQ+ History @ The Dragonfly Lounge
Step into Colchester’s queer past with this lively, eye-opening LGBTQ+ history talk and workshop led by local historian Ben Paites. Blending storytelling, surprising facts and audience interaction, Ben uncovers hidden histories with a distinctly local twist. From Boudica and lesbian linguistics, to William Gilberd and asexual erasure, to the trans-inclusive worshippers of Cybele and the ‘Sodomites’ of Colchester Castle, this session brings the past vividly to life.
Expect fascinating insights, thoughtful discussion and optional interactive elements throughout.
6:30pm-7:30pm
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
Writing Queer Experience For The Stage @ The Headgate Theatre
Which approach to writing queerness for the stage is right for you? How can you write LGBTQ+ characters who simultaneously hold queer identities as a core aspect of their personalities and refuse to be boxed into stereotypes? Join playwright and theatre producer, Alice K Stephens, for a workshop which focuses on representing your unique, queer experiences for theatre. Whatever your style, from autobiographical realism to camp cabaret, we’ll provide a range of activities for you to find a way of writing queerness which feels authentic to you.
6:30pm-8pm
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
Relaxed Opening at the Castle@ Colchester Castle
This special session is designed for visitors with autism or other sensory sensitivities to enjoy the museum in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. We turn off sounds and visual displays during this time to reduce sensory stimulation.
3pm-5pm
The Thursday Jam @ Coda
Come on down and join a band, sing along, support musicians, make friends and listen to a variety of amazing local talents. House kit, PA and amps provided. Bring yourselves and your instruments and join the good vibes.
8:30pm-12am
FREE ENTRY! No need to pre-book, drop in between the times above
Bread & Butter Vegan Night Market @ The Minories Commons Café
Come along to The Commons for this new vegan market night taking place every first Thursday of the month, featuring local vegan vendors, community connections, drinks and street food.
Entry is through the garden gate opposite Firstsite.
5pm-8pm
FREE ENTRY! No need to pre-book, drop in between the times above
To get yourself in the First Thursdays mood, take a look at our brilliant photo gallery, taken by Jonathan Dadds.
