About The City Brief Colchester
Your Personal Newsletter For All Local Events in Colchester
Colchester boasts one of England's longest and most layered histories, from its Roman foundations as Camulodunum through to its thriving medieval period and into the present day. Today, the city remains a place where residents and visitors connect different neighbourhoods, from Balkerne Gardens through to the Castle area, from New Town into Hythe, and where events, both big and small, shape the rhythm of community life. The City Brief exists to help you stay on top of what's actually happening across Colchester week by week. Whether it's the Medieval Festival in Colchester Castle Park, the weekly Colchester Market, or smaller happenings in local wards and green spaces, our coverage connects you to the events and gatherings that matter to your part of the city. We track recurring festivals like the Colchester Beer Festival, Heritage Weekend, and the Pantomime at Mercury Theatre alongside one-off activities and community notices that might otherwise be missed. Colchester's character comes from its neighbourhoods and landmarks, the Roman Walls that frame the city’s ancient past, the Castle Park that draws families and festival-goers, the River Colne that winds through residential and green areas. Each week brings something worth knowing about. Kids Fest, Candlelight Concerts, the International Film Festival, the Oyster Fayre, these events anchor the city's calendar and bring people together. Our role is straightforward: we gather information about what's on, what's coming, and what local groups are organising, then present it clearly so you can make choices about how you spend your time. We focus on genuine local events, community activities, markets, festivals, performances, and gatherings that reflect how Colchester actually lives. Whether you're based in one neighbourhood or you move across several, The City Brief helps you stay informed about your city's calendar. That's what we do here.
What we Cover
Each week The City Brief highlights events happening across Colchester – live music, theatre, food, family activities, markets and more.
Have a look at what's happening this week and this coming weekend.
About The City Brief
The City Brief is a global network of local newsletters. We succeed in sending the best of local information to local people. To learn more, visit our main website.
About the editor
The City Brief Colchester is edited by Dean Withey, founder of The City Brief. A former RAF pilot turned founder and investor, Dean has built and sold two technology companies, including ubisend, a conversational AI platform used by the NHS and BAE Systems, and has shipped more than thirty enterprise AI systems over twenty years in tech. He is based in Norwich, England.
Why this site exists, in Dean's words: "In an AI-powered world, you can no longer trust what you see and hear online. The future is local: trusting only what you can see for yourself. The City Brief is the trusted brief for what's happening in your city."
Listings are gathered from venue websites, official box offices and event platforms, then checked and curated before publishing. AI tools assist with drafting; every published page follows our editorial policy.
Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it.