Cinemas, theatres & arts

Charter Hall is one of Colchester's premier venues, hosting a huge range of year-round entertainment, from live music, top touring stand-up comedy, indoor sporting events, food and drink festivals and vintage fayres.

Colchester Arts Centre is located in a venue as unique as the artists that perform there. The former church now hosts a regular programme of events ranging from jazz music, comedy shows, beer festivals, farmer's markets and folk clubs. Big acts play alongside quirky local events, and you are sure to find plenty of entertainment in the Arts Centre at every time of year.

Colchester Arts... Read more

Curzon Colchester is an independent arthouse cinema wih three screens, showing the best of quality mainstream including family films, independent gems and events. Two cafe bars and a roof terrace.

Lakeside Theatre is part of the University of Essex and the 200-seat Theatre was built in 1971 and opened in 1972. It is located beneath the iconic Brutalist building, the Albert Sloman Library, on Square 5 of the Colchester Campus.

In 2009, Lakeside Theatre completed an ambitious refurbishment programme, enabled through generous support from the Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation... Read more

The Mercury Theatre in Colchester, Essex is at the heart of the town's arts scene - an active theatre venue involved in putting on plays of national and international importance, as well as in the creation of its own theatre pieces by local artists (Made in Colchester).

An evening out at the Mercury Theatre is a perfect way to end a day of sightseeing or shopping in Colchester town... Read more

The ODEON Cinema in Colchester is a fully digital eight screen cinema showing RealD and 3D films. It includes a large Costa Coffee shop and a Ben and Jerry's ice cream parlour.