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 July 3rd 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
Artists’ Books in the Wild! @ Patch
Join book artist and illustrator Mary Pullen Deacon for an al fresco, mindful, creative workshop. We will go outdoors into the expansive gardens at Firstsite gallery, for an enriching experimental drawing session, taking time to visually record whatever catches your eye – flora, fauna, architecture and humans. We will retreat to Patch Café where you will turn your artwork into a simple yet beautiful artist’s book to take away and treasure. As a group, we will reflect, show artwork and chat over a drink.
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
Bushcraft @Firstsite
Discover the great outdoors through an immersive and educational experience with Woodland Warriors Essex, run by seasoned instructors Jeff and Gus. This workshop provides expertly led bushcraft sessions.
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
OUTWRITE@ Firstsite
An evening of writing using the outdoor environment as inspiration. All are welcome. No experience necessary.
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
Beer Yoga @ Popina (Lion Walk Courtyard)
Grab a pint and test your balance in this light-hearted outdoor yoga session. We’ll flow through feel good poses while incorporating cheeky sips of beer into the movement, because why not? Whether you’ve had a tough day, been cooped up inside or just fancy stretching it out, this is your chance to move, laugh and soak up some fresh air. Can you hold your pose without spilling a drop? Come find out. It’s social, it’s silly and it’s the perfect way to ground yourself… pint in hand!
Find out more and book your FREE ticket
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.
FREE entry, just turn up on the night
Open-Mic Night @ Popina (Lion Walk Courtyard)
Come down to Popina to listen to live music from local musicians under the stars.
6pm-7:30pm
FREE entry, just turn up on the night
The Wedding Present @ Colchester Arts Centre
The Wedding Present are an English indie rock group formed in 1985 in Leeds, England, by members of The Lost Pandas, led by vocalist and guitarist David Gedge.
Tickets from £31.50
Colchester Dance HQ: Innovation 2026 @ The Mercury Theatre
Colchester Dance HQ returns for their annual Summer Production.
Tickets from £20.50
To get yourself in the First Thursdays mood, take a look at our brilliant photo gallery, taken by Jonathan Dadds.
