Events in Colchester From 30th March – 5th April 2026

You can find creative exploration, hands-on learning, and family activities this week across Colchester’s established community spaces. At Firstsite Gallery Colchester, current exhibitions focus on modernist structure and form, echoing design principles in local architecture. Life drawing sessions happen weekly there, open to all levels, no experience needed, and regularly attract regulars returning season after season. These events follow a steady routine: brief introductions by trained facilitators, observation periods using live models or curated still lifes, and informal feedback circles.

For families planning ahead for the Easter weekend, several outdoor activities are set in accessible green areas like Castle Park and nearby zones around Balkerne Gate. The town’s annual children's festival includes an egg hunt starting at Colchester Castle, its Roman foundations visible under a medieval façade, and proceeds along marked routes past historic sites such as the old city walls on Northgate Street, though access can be restricted in winter due to poor road conditions.

Themed railway days occur on event Sundays and take place aboard preserved carriages operated by heritage lines connected via Great Eastern Main Line. These events feature interactive storytelling using onboard platforms and often involve local historians or volunteers with personal connections to Colchester’s transport history. All activities aim for inclusion, though limited parking near Roman sites such as the castle entrance remains an ongoing challenge during high-demand times.

Check the listings below for times and venues.