EVENTS held throughout September will celebrate Colchester's new-found city status.

The events will spread across the new city from Castle Park and Firstsite, to the top of Jumbo and beyond.

Pam Cox, Colchester councillor responsible for culture and heritage, said: “These events show what our new city of Colchester has to offer.

"The council’s aim this year is to bring all these great efforts together to show that we are a city of culture, compassion and creativity.

"They show how much there is to celebrate in Colchester.”

The council will be supporting the partners organising many of the events, including events in Castle Park from EcoFestival on September 3 to the Anti-Loo Roll Festival on September 10.

Colchester Museums celebrates this year’s Heritage Open Days from September 10 to 18, with visitors able to explore Cannock Mill in Old Heath, the Munnings Art Museum in Dedham, the Roman Theatre, the Roman Circus, the Abbey Gateway and Colchester Castle.

Those who have secured pre-advance tickets will take a trip inside Jumbo water tower.

In celebration, Colchester’s Business Improvement District (BID) will be launching a social media campaign called ‘This City is Colchester’ on September 12, showcasing the city centre and its offering to residents and visitors, whilst also supporting businesses.

Colchester BID details can be found at incolchester.co.uk.

Sam Good, Colchester BID manager, said: “We’re delighted to be able to share in the celebration of this historic moment and showcase the extensive and unique offering that makes our city centre such an appealing place to visit as both a local and regional destination.

“City status is recognition of what a great place Colchester is to live, work and visit, and we have a real community of businesses within the city centre that helps drive the civic pride that makes our city great.”

The events taking place in Colchester this September include:

  • Saturday, September 3: Invasion Colchester, Various locations in Colchester city centre.
  • Saturday, September 3: Colchester Eco Festival in Lower Castle Park, Colchester
  • Saturday, September 3: Exhibition ‘Mehdi Jalalaghdamian: Art In Exile’ at Firstsite
  • Saturday, September 10– Rice and Spice Festival at Firstsite
  • Saturday, September 10 – Anti-Loo Roll Festival, Lower Castle Park, Colchester
  • Monday, September 12, City Day – Colchester formally becomes a city 6pm Town Hall, High Street. Witness this moment by visiting the High Street at 5.45pm to watch the Mayor and Mayoress lead a small parade with live music from Colchester Pipe and Drums band.
  • Monday, September 12, City Day – Colchester’s Business Improvement District (BID) will be launching a social media campaign called ‘This City is Colchester’. 
  • Friday 9 to Sunday 18 September – Heritage Open Days, various sites across the city Saturday 24 September – Colchester Free Family Festival, Castle Park, Colchester Wednesday 28 September-Sunday 2 October – Roman River classical music festival, various sites across the city.