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 March 5th 2026. 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
Totes for Women! @ Headgate Theatre
Celebrate international women’s day at this sustainable textiles workshop. Clare Sams will teach you how to turn an old tea towel into a fabulous tote bag celebrating all women.
6:30pm-8:30pm
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
Creative Portrait Photography @Firstsite
Want to try creative portrait photography? Join photographer Jayne Lloyd to experiment with different lighting techniques, incorporate your own artwork and work together to create portraits with personality.
7pm-9pm
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
Powerful Women of Musical Theatre @ Firstsite
In honour of international women’s month we bring you a cabaret dedicated to powerful women of musical theatre. Featuring songs from powerful female characters, female performers and musical theatre writers. Brought to you by an entirely female and fem-identifying performers.
7pm-9:30pm
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
From the Dagenham Invincibles- to the Lionesses! @ The Headgate Theatre
Did you know women’s football was popular during World War One? Do you know of the Sterling Ladies from Dagenham, who hold an incredible undefeated record? Their story was almost forgotten, until Amanda Whitignton discovered it and wrote The Invincibles, which Headgate is staging in April!
7pm-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.
