First Thursdays Festival

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 May 2nd 2024.  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

Clacton Arts Centre Takes A Trip To Colchester @ Three Wise Monkeys

Join us at Three Wise Monkeys for the Clacton Arts Centre takeover, featuring a line up of amazing Tendring artists. Including, The Jentones & Evy Frearson.

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

Curzon Colchester Open Mic @ Curzon Cinema

Come join us at Curzon Colchester for our very first open mic, everybody is welcome, turn up and sign up!

FREE entry, just turn up on the night

Fates Fortune@ Firstsite (Studio)

You are invited to embark on an adventure with Fates Fortune. Together we’ll explore this age old divination using a fresh take on tarot cards through the power of immersive theatre.

Warnings: Flashing lights

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

Josienne Clarke @ Colchester Arts Centre

Indie-folk singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer Josienne Clarke is often said to draw on traditional British folk inspirations, but is a thoroughly modern, multifaceted artist who follows her own compass.

Tickets from £14.50

Makerspace Socials @ Colchester Makerspace

Thinking of becoming a member and want to know more? Already a member and want to catch up with the others? Makerspace Socials are free, include a short introduction, an opportunity to meet our members and associate artists and hear a short show-and-tell from our Maker of the Month.

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

Mindful Mending @ Firstsite (Foyer) 

Join Textile artist Clare Sams to explore the art of mindful mending in a relaxed and supportive environment. Try your hand at ‘honeycomb darning’ and learn to use a ‘darning mushroom’ to repair worn and damaged fabrics. All materials and equipment provided, but you are welcome to bring textile items needing repair to the event.

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

The Table Football Drawing Machine@ The Minories

Tom Armstrong present’s his fantastic table football art machine. Through the power of 22 plastic footballers and some felt tip pens this interactive installation creates geometric, abstract drawings as you play a game of foosball. Big match atmosphere guaranteed.

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

The Thursday Jam @ CODA

Play an instrument? Fancy channelling your inner rockstar? Turn up and join other musicians in Colchester’s Jam Night! 

FREE entry, just turn up on the night

UP ON ITS FEET: ‘WRITING’ IN THE SPACE’ @ One Colchester Community Hub

Break out of conventional playwriting and stop bashing your head against that laptop! Time for a fresh approach to crafting plays. This immersive experience will unlock your creative freedom as you explore the dynamics of play, improv, and collaboration with professional actors. Come craft your next (or first!) with us!

Find out more and book your FREE ticket

To get yourself in the First Thursdays mood, take a look at our brilliant April photo gallery, taken by Jonathan Dadds.