With Christmas a matter of weeks away, the people at the Colchester Arts Centre are making sure they’ll still be a spring in your step when it comes to 2018.

That’s because once again they have lined-up a whole host of laughs, music and thought-provoking film and theatre in keep you entertained at the start of next year.

Following on from their successful hosting of the town’s comedy festival, a cavalcade of comedians will be taking to the former Victorian church’s stage from January.

That includes the modern legend in her home country that is Sophie Hagen with her new show, Dead Baby Frog.

The winner of the Best Newcomer at 2015’s Edinburgh Fringe, she kicks off the stand-up season, which also sees a return visit from Lee Hurst on January 21; Mark Thomas on January 31; and Basildon’s Ellie Taylor on February 22.

It runs all the way into March with appearances by Rob Auton and John Robbins on March 22 and 27, respectively.

Music-wise, there’s a rather nice treat early on when this year’s Joe Allard Commission will see Wivenhoe singer/songwriter and frontman for band Ordinary Noise, Lou Terry deliver a new collection of recordings which brings together the various musical genres of folk, experimental rock and lo-fi electronics.

That’s on January 7, while a week later the third incarnation of the Prettiest Starman tribute to David Bowie makes a return to the arts centre stage after its sell out last year.

And for those who like turning the clock back music wise, there’s plenty of retro rock to revel in.

On February 17, Nineties indie legends Space play the arts centre and the same month on the 23rd, it’s a step back to the Eighties with Big County performing their back catalogue of tunes.

You don’t get more retro than Party Like It’s 1599 when Colchester Waits and the town’s Historical Dance Group present an afternoon dance party with a Tudor twist on February 25.

More local acts will be showing just what a vibrant music scene we have on our own doorstep with shows by FOX on January 26, the Schools Rock Prom on February 20, and the mighty Dingus Khan officially launching their new album on March 3.

One gig I would be in trouble with if I didn’t mention is that of Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers not because Geoff is on a major UK tour or that it’s in aid of MS-UK but because support acts are former Gazette sub editor Tim Aves, with his blues band Wolpack, and former Editor, Martin McNeill, who also happens to be one of the finest bottleneck blues guitarists in the country.

Making-up the rest of the music season are the on-going folk and jazz nights, which next year have the likes of Sarah McQuaid, Knight and Spiers, Dave Brubeck and Bassistry playing.

Also in nest year’s programme is one of the major culinary highlights of the year, the Winter Ale Festival that runs at the Church Street venue from February 7 to 10, plenty of cutting edge theatre on the Wonderful Wednesdays and some more camp cabaret, this time from The Lipsinkers.

Already a smash hit at Edinburgh, the drag troupe who mime to pop songs combining politics, drags, fags and carrier bags are in Colchester on March 10.

For more information go to colchesterartscentre.com