It's the first weekend of April, and Easter weekend is in full swing! Colchester has a great mix of family fun, including an Easter Family Fun Day, community sports, and ongoing theatre.
See our top picks
Holiday Fun April 2026: Make
Firstsite
Free drop-in creative activities running Saturday morning.
Colchester Leisure World – Leisure Pool
Colchester Leisure World
Indoor fun with flumes and a Crazy River for a guaranteed good time.
Holiday Fun April 2026: Mini Athletics
Firstsite
Free energy-burning movement session on Saturday morning.
· April 4
6: Head over to Great Bromley for a community-focused family event celebrating Easter. It sounds like a relaxed way to enjoy the day with your household.This is the only explicitly listed one-off Easter event happening on Saturday.
COMMUNITY DAY: ESSEX REBELS BASKETBALL DOUBLEHEADER : Join the Essex Rebels for a full day of sport, entertainment, and community celebration on Saturday. If your older kids love basketball, this is a great day out.A unique sporting event happening exclusively on Saturday.
HOLIDAY FUN APRIL 2026: MAKEFREE : Firstsite is running free creative activities daily over the holidays; Saturday morning is dedicated to 'Make'. A great drop-in craft session if you are in town.The best *free* scheduled activity at Firstsite on Saturday.
HOLIDAY FUN APRIL 2026: CANTEENFREE : If you need lunch sorted, Firstsite has a Canteen session running on Saturday offering freshly made hot meals for the family—the activity itself is free.A free session coinciding with lunch time on Saturday.
HOLIDAY FUN APRIL 2026: MINI ATHLETICSFREE : Get the kids running and leaping at this free Mini Athletics session at Firstsite on Saturday morning. A great energy burner!The free sports activities at Firstsite are excellent for energetic younger kids on Saturday.
HOLIDAY FUN APRIL 2026: FOOTBALLFREE : Join Colchester Villa coaches for a fun football session at Firstsite on Saturday. Excellent chance for kids to practice their kicking skills.Free football coaching session—a major draw for active kids on Saturday.
· April 5
6: Head out to Hedingham Castle on Sunday to watch the spectacular jousting display by the Knights of Middle England. It’s a brilliant historical spectacle for all ages.A major historical display running all weekend, great for Sunday.
: Take a ride on the Easter Express and help the Easter Bunny find all his hidden eggs along the railway line. This runs through Monday too, making it perfect for Sunday.A festive, engaging activity that uses heritage transport, perfect for a Sunday adventure.
: If the weather is poor on Sunday, pop over to Chelmsford for this delightful stage adaptation of the classic book. Expect magic and sing-along songs.The last day of this family show run, and a great indoor option for Sunday.
: Enjoy a family day out at the Zoo this weekend, featuring an Easter egg hunt trail where you can win a prize. Great fun for all ages on Sunday.Zoo visits are a staple, and the Easter hunt makes it specific to this weekend.
FREE : The Easter Trail is running until April 12th, so Sunday is a perfect, free time to take curious young visitors to follow clues and complete a worksheet.It's a confirmed free event that is running across the entire target weekend.
COLCHESTER LEISURE WORLD – LEISURE POOL : If Sunday brings bad weather, head to Leisure World for flumes, the Crazy River, and jacuzzis. It's running throughout the holidays.A reliable, active option for Sunday when other outdoor plans might fail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Colchester this weekend?
This weekend (Apr 04-05) you can take advantage of several free activities at Firstsite, including Holiday Fun: Make on Saturday, Holiday Fun: Canteen (for lunch both days), and Holiday Fun: Mini Athletics on Saturday. Also, the Easter Trail at the Natural History Museum is free on both days.
Are there any Easter-specific activities running on Sunday, April 5th?
Yes, Sunday features the ongoing Easter Holidays at Colchester Zoological Society (including an egg hunt), the Easter Magical Memories event at the Epping Ongar Railway, and the Easter Trail at the Natural History Museum.
What can teenagers do this weekend in Colchester?
Teenagers might enjoy the Community Day: Essex Rebels Basketball Doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, or checking out the Sue Webster: Birth of an Icon exhibition at Firstsite across both days.
