First Thursdays Festival

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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 2nd 2026.

The FINAL ever festival will be August 6th

The full programmes 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 July

Black Cactus Studio Presents: Colchester’s NEW MUSIC @ Popina in Lion Walk Courtyard

This showcase highlights emerging local talent as part of the Creative Colchester “First Thursday” initiative. The evening features a diverse range of performances, starting with a community vocal ensemble and moving into a series of live bands.

5pm-9pm

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

An Alternative Cabaret @ Dragonfly Lounge

An Alternative Cabaret is a showcase of the quirky, the curious and the creatively unconventional. Hosted by Shar Cooterie and featuring local and guest performers pushing performance in exciting new directions.

7:30pm-11pm

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

What you don’t know about Colchester @ Various Locations (Walking Tour)

Think you know Colchester? Think again. What You Don’t Know About Colchester uncovers the hidden histories, forgotten characters and surprising stories lurking behind the town’s familiar streets. Join Ben Paites for a journey into the secrets of Britain’s oldest recorded town.

Walking Tour (Various) meeting point at Dragonfly at 7pm

7pm-8:30pm

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

Dory Previn @ The Headgate Theatre

Composer and vocalist Anna Pool celebrates the life and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most distinctive, and too often overlooked, songwriters – Dory Previn.

7pm-10pm

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

The Ed Poets Society@ Patch

Maybe you like listening to poetry. Maybe you like sharing your poetry. Maybe you’ve never shared it before. Maybe you know a poet.

If you fall into one of the above, then come to Patch. Bring a friend or come and make new ones.

7pm-10pm

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.

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

What’s On August

It’s a Jolly Holiday with Mary @ Popina in Lion Walk Courtyard

Come and pop into Popina with Mary Poppins Tribute UK for the only First Thursday of the School Holidays !

Join in with Mary as she sings the classic songs and conjures a sweet treat of a crafty activity from her Magic Carpet Bag, for children to create and take home. Spit Spot!

12pm &2pm

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

Weird and Wonderful Music Making @ Culver Square

Visit CLIP in Culver Square and get hands on with amazing synthesisers and exciting music technology. Play with a microphone that turns light into sound, make beats from everyday objects or try DJ’ing your favourite tunes!

Drop in anytime!

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

Balloon Magic @ Lion Walk Shopping Centre

Small blurb -Get ready for Balloon Magic, a fun-filled event where a talented balloon artist twists, shapes, and sculpts colorful creations right before your eyes! Perfect for all ages, this dazzling display of creativity will leave you amazed and inspired.

12pm-3pm