Colchester City Council is pleased to announce the successful applicants for the 2026 Cultural and Creative Events Fund, supporting a vibrant programme of cultural events and activities taking place across the city and district over the coming year.
£30,000 awarded to events and projects for 2026–27
This year, the council in partnership with Colchester Amphora Events has awarded £30,000 to twenty-five cultural and creative events and projects, all set to run between 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027. Together, these projects will bring music, performance, art, comedy, pop culture, festivals and community led celebrations to neighbourhoods across Colchester.
Strong response from Colchester’s creative community
The Fund once again attracted strong interest from local arts organisations, venues, charities, community groups and individuals, with over fifty applications received. Following careful assessment by a panel chaired by Cllr Lee Scordis, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Environment, a diverse range of projects has been selected, reflecting the depth and diversity of Colchester’s creative community.
What residents can look forward to
From much loved citywide festivals and openair performances to smaller, local events rooted in neighbourhoods, the funded programme offers something for everyone. Residents and visitors can look forward to free and low-cost events in familiar places and unexpected spaces – from historic sites and parks to community venues and the city centre.
Why the Cultural and Creative Events Fund matters
The Cultural and Creative Events Fund aims to support high quality cultural experiences, showcase local talent, celebrate Colchester’s history and diversity, attract visitors, and encourage wellbeing through participation in the arts. This year’s successful projects strongly reflect those goals, helping to ensure culture remains accessible and inclusive for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Cllr Lee Scordis, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Environment said: “We are delighted to support such a wide and inspiring range of cultural and creative projects this year. The response to the Fund shows just how much talent and passion exists across Colchester. These events will bring people together, animate our public spaces and continue to build Colchester’s reputation as a place where culture and creativity can thrive.”
Kerrie Williams, organiser of Invasion Colchester and owner of Ace Comics, said: “Support from the Cultural and Creative Events Fund makes a huge difference to events like Invasion Colchester. It helps us bring people together, celebrate creativity and put Colchester on the map in a really positive way. We’re incredibly grateful for the backing and excited to deliver another event that the whole community can enjoy.”
A full list of funded projects can be found below.
Funded projects 2026
- Acoustic Thursdays/Popina
- Boys & Men – Beats & Eats/Boys To Men CIC
- Caribbean Fun and Cultural Day/ Colchester Caribbean Community Group
- Castle Park Theatre New Writers/Packing Shed Theatre
- Charlotte Bernays ‘The Constant State of Becoming’ / The Minories
- Colchester City Carnival and Funfair 2026
- Colchester Fringe presents The Summer Weekender 2026
- Colchester Malayalee Community Onam Celebrations 2026
- Colchester Pride
- Colchester WriteNight/Colchester WriteNight
- Comedy At St Botolphs/Colchester Arts Centre
- Cuckoo Farm Studios Public Program
- Essex Book Festival - Colchester Hub
- Folk on the Rec/The Rec Market
- Global Village/Essex Cultural Diversity Project
- Headgate Young Company/Headgate Theatre
- Invasion Colchester
- Jane’s Walk Colchester/Walk Colchester
- No Strings Attached/Roman River Music/Wild Arts
- Passion for Fashion/Ketchup Clothes CIC
- Rice and Spice Festival
- Rowhedge Regatta
- Sounds of Colchester Exhibition/ Essex Rocks Ltd
- St Anne's Free Family Fun Day/St Anne’s Community Centre
- Young Charioteers/Colchester Archaeological Trust