WHAT'S ON IN COLCHESTER

Keep Colchester Cool is your guide to what’s on in Colchester, covering live music, theatre, comedy, arts and local events across the city. Discover gigs, festivals and cultural events happening this week and beyond.
 
From Colchester Arts Centre and the Mercury Theatre to independent venues and community spaces, explore the latest Colchester events below and plan your next day or night out.

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UPCOMING EVENTS IN COLCHESTER

Toto The Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape | Thu 2 – Sat 18 Apr 2026

A Mercury Theatre, Little Angel Theatre and Mayflower Southampton co-production.A brand-new family musical for everyone over the age of 5!Meet Toto. She might look like an ordinary cat, but she’s[...]

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02 - 16 Apr 2026 11:00 am
Mercury Theatre Colchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester
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Toto The Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape

A Mercury Theatre Colchester, Little Angel Theatre and Mayflower Southampton co-production. A brand-new family musical for everyone over the age of 5! Meet Toto. She might look like an ordinary cat,[...]

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02 - 18 Apr 2026 11:00 am - 6:30 pm
Mercury Theatre, Mercury Theatre
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MODEZ OF VIBRATION PRESENTS MOVING FUSION

MODEZ OF VIBRATION PRESENTS MOVING FUSIONDOING A 2 HOUR OLD SKOOL SET from the Days of Vinyl11.30 till 1.30DJS MOVING FUSION, SPA FUNK QUEENIE CHINGordon B Blockzie Gallier Riley V,[...]

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11 - 12 Apr 2026 12:00 pm - 4:00 am
Baba’s Bar, Baba's Bar
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Colchester Arts Centre

Dire Streets bring to life the classic songs of one of the world’s greatest guitar bands with a level of musicianship and attention to detail that makes them the stand[...]

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11 Apr 2026 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester Arts Centre
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Sundays on the Square

Sundays on the Square returns on Sunday 12th April 2026!Keep the spring Sundays alive with Sundays on the Square in the newly built St Nicholas Square, featuring live music throughout[...]

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12 Apr 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Colchester,

Jo Harman: “. . . an incredibly believable and soulful singer.”- Echoes

​An artist who sings straight from the heart, with pure, unadulterated soulfulness and sincerity devoid of any histrionics, Jo Harman was proclaimed "the UK’s finest female soul blues voice" by[...]

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12 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Wivenhoe Congregational Church, 101 High Street, CO7 9AB Wivenhoe, United Kingdom, Wivenhoe Congregational Church, 101 High Street, CO7 9AB Wivenhoe, United Kingdom
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Jo Harman @ The Music Mix: “. . . an incredibly believable and soulful singer.” – Echoes

In the age of beige, when the norm is to suppress the spirit in a deluge of conservatism and political correctness, it is a raw and heart-warming sight to witness,[...]

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12 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Wivenhoe Congregational Church, 101 High Street
Colchester, CO7 9AB GB
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Colchester Jazz Club (Essex)

2 x 60 min sets @ Marks Tey Parish Hall. www.colchesterjazzclub.co.uk

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12 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Marks Tey Parish Hall, Old London Rd
Marks Tey, CO6 1EJ GB
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The Mayor of Colchester’s Variety Show 2026

The Mayor of Colchester’s Variety Show 2026 Starring celebrity magician and Vice President of the Magic Circle, Michael J. Fitch, The Mayor’s Variety Show will bring together some of the most talented performers[...]

£20.50 – £37.50
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12 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Mercury Theatre Colchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester
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South African Wine & Food Taster Evening

Join us on Tuesday 14th April for our South African Wine & Food Pairing Evening. Enjoy as we take you through four-courses of seasonally inspired food and wine at Three[...]

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14 Apr 2026 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom, 60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom
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Drone Photography & Videography – Talk By Paul Smith DPAGB, AWPF, LSINWP BPE5*

Join us for an exciting and informative session with Paul Smith, an accomplished photographer and drone enthusiast. In this talk, Paul offers a comprehensive overview of drone photography, starting with[...]

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14 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Ireton Road, CO3 3AT Colchester, United Kingdom, Ireton Road, CO3 3AT Colchester, United Kingdom
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Colchester Arts Centre – Colchester

A Celebration Of The Music Of Coldplay; capturing the energy and sound of one of the biggest bands in the world.This immersive and fun driven show features Xylobands, lasers, back[...]

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16 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester Arts Centre
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Three Men in a Boat

A fresh adaptation of the classic comic tale. Join Walsall's very own Jerome K. Jerome as he recounts his quixotic journey along the River Thames with his friends Harris and[...]

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16 Apr 2026 7:45 pm - 9:30 pm
Headgate Theatre, Headgate Theatre
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Breathing beat

Hold onto what you love — the rhythm that moves you, the melody that heals you, the dance that sets you free. When words fail, let the music speak and[...]

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17 Apr 2026 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Firstsite Colchester, Firstsite Colchester
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MAIDEN ANGLIA – A Tribute to IRON MAIDEN

TWM Live Presents: MAIDEN ANGLIA – A Tribute to IRON MAIDENFriday 17th April, Doors 7:30pmThree Wise Monkeys, ColchesterReturning to Three Wise Monkeys Colchester Maiden Anglia will be bringing you an[...]

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17 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom, 60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom
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Arrival – The Hits Of Abba

50 years since ABBA’s iconic ‘Arrival’ album first lit up the charts, the multi-award-winning show that shares the same name, Arrival – The Hits of ABBA, is back with a[...]

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17 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 10:15 pm
Mercury Theatre Colchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester
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Bob Keeley at Junction 25 LDC

Join us for a night of line dancing to live music.£8 entryDoors open 7:15pm for 8pmNo bar so bring your own.Tea and coffee available.Contact Trish on 07815 125261 to book[...]

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17 Apr 2026 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Marks Tey Parish Hall, Old London Rd
Marks Tey, CO6 1EJ GB
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The SKBs – Live in Colchester!

Tickets available via www.theskb.com

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18 - 19 Apr 2026 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Three Wise Monkeys Colchester,

80’s Day Disco: Colchester 🪩

Tickets now on sale → https://www.fatsoma.com/e/o9qmzb67/la/fg2xGet Ready to Groove at the Ultimate 80s Day Disco! 🎉Step into a time machine and relive the magic of the 80s with a day[...]

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18 Apr 2026 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Trilogy Colchester, Trilogy Colchester
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Haydn, Schubert and Rossini

Rossini: Overture to the Barber of SevilleHaydn: Cello Concerto in CSoloist: John ChillingworthSchubert: Symphony No. 9Conductor: Chris PhelpsTickets £18, (under 25s free) call 01206 271128 or available at the door

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18 Apr 2026 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
St Botolph’s Church Walk, Colchester, CO2 7, United Kingdom, St Botolph's Church Walk, Colchester, CO2 7, United Kingdom
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