Midsummer Madness Family Fun

Sunday 14 June 2026
The Minories
74 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1UE

A day of other worldly storytelling and creative mayhem in the enchanted setting of The Minories, Colchester’s oldest art gallery and garden. Our Midsummer Madness Family Day is the perfect place to get crafty and messy with our delectable range of free hands-on drop-in workshops, and more.

Watch this space for more details of free family drop-in workshops, storytelling, and activities.

Ticketed Events

11.00am – 12.00pm
The Enchanted Cinema presents Where the Wild Rumpus Is

An interactive, enchanted cinema experience for wild things of all ages.

The wild rumpus begins! Hands, voices, and instruments from around the world create a live soundtrack as forests rustle, monsters roar, and oceans swell. Featuring live narration of Sendak’s book and led by professional musician Kieron Chissik on electric viola and keyboard, this screen-free, immersive experience invites children and grown-ups to become the orchestra for a cinematic book. For ages 5+. All those aged under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets: £6 per person
Box Office: eventbrite.co.uk

2.00pm – 3.00pm
Kes Gray – From Oi Frog! to Oi Dinosaurs!

Photo of Kes Gray © Paul Starr

Join in this hilarious interactive event with multi-award-winning author Kes Gray as he talks about the evolution of his Oi! picture book  series, from Oi Frog! to Oi Dinosaurs! Guaranteed to get everyone giggling. For ages 3+. All those aged under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets: £6
Box Office: eventbrite.co.uk

Drop-in Activities

12.00pm – 3.00pm
The Young Ones Eco-Workshops

Wise Ram workshop credit Lorna Powell

Get crafty and messy with our free, hands-on, drop-in workshops taking place in the enchanted garden at The Minories.

Use materials gathered from the Essex coast to create your very own Beached-Up Sea Monster.

Write a Letter to the Future which will become part of a county-wide children’s zine.

The Vanishing Lake with Wise Ram Theatre – Wise Ram Theatre will be running a free, family friendly drop-in activity at our Midsummer Madness day at The Minories. All are welcome for fun creative activities, from drawing characters, doing crafts and playing games. By taking part you will help create a new fantasy adventure show called ‘The Vanishing Lake’.

Wise Ram Theatre is a theatre company based in Harwich making theatre with humour, heart and nerve. In 2025 they delivered a Eco-Theatre workshop for Manifesto4Essex in Colchester and family workshops at Essex Green Weekend. Read more on their website wiseramtheatre.co.uk or follow on social media @wiseramtheatre.

All ages welcome.

Tickets: Free, drop-in, no booking required
All taking place in The Minories Garden

12.00pm
Marvellous Music

Tickets: Free, drop-in, no booking required
Taking place in The Minories Garden