Colchester Arts Centre

Church Street, Colchester, CO1 1NF


Never knowingly understood.

How do you describe a venue that can put children's entertainer Palfi the Clown on, on the same day as Cradle of Filth?

Where a vinyl listening session in the morning becomes a comedy club in the evening. Where folk enthusiasts can sit happily knitting (and they do!) in the exact same spot a ferocious mosh pit of teenage dancing takes place the following night?

And where the beautiful historic architecture of St Mary's Church - dating back over a thousand years - plays host to some of the newest comics, most modern choreographers, some of the coolest DJs and some of the freshest talent in Britain.

Over the years we've promoted Coldplay, Eddie Izzard, Graham Norton, Harry Hill, Catherine Tate, Jo Brand, The Libertines, Ash, The Killers, The Strokes, Phill Jupitus, Mick Jones, Bill Bailey, Jack Dee, Count Arthur Strong - all before anyone had ever heard of them of course - plus the likes of jazz legend Ronnie Scott and even the late lamented and much loved Brian Johnston the cricket commentator.

Our passion to present new work bringing great bands and comics to Colchester burns more brightly than ever. Our business is all about fresh ideas, new acts, new art forms and vibrant new ways of working. We can't stand still. We embrace the new, the quirky the original - and yes, the surreal!

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Coming soon to Colchester Arts Centre


Monday
Much admired finger-picking folk guitarist and singer
A haunting and immaculately crafted concert
08 Nov 2025
Colchester Arts Centre’s Youth Board returns with five more young local acts
ELECTRIC VIBRATIONS AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT
10 Nov 2025
More colourful than a unicorn vomiting a rainbow
17 Nov 2025
Undoubtedly one of the hardest-touring musicians on the UK folk/roots circuit
A power jangle noise pop band originally from Coventry, UK. Got in the charts a few times

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