Looking for something to do this weekend? Here's a round-up of ten events going on in and around Colchester.

  • FESTIVAL Colchester Medieval Festival and Oyster Fayre, Lower Castle Park, Colchester

When: Tomorrow and Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

How much: Adult £8, child 3-14yrs £4, concessions £5.

An authentic medieval fayre and market with period entertainment, including falconry, armed combat, archery, puppetry, storytelling, music and dance. A family day out with fine catering at the food court and beer tent.

  • MUSIC Silver Screen Showcase, Severalls Concert Group, Stanway Federation Learning Centre, Paxman Avenue, Colchester

When: Tonight and tomorrow, 7.30pm.

How much: Adults £9, concessions £7.

Severalls Concert Group will perform popular musical numbers from the movies, including Pitch Perfect, Pulp Ficiton, Sister Act 2, Jersey Boys and Dream Girls.

  • FAIR Wildlife and Country Fair, Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre, Church Road, Layer de la Haye

When: Tomorrow, 10am to 4pm.

How much: £2 adults, £1 children.

Contact: 01206 738172.

ESSEX Wildlife Trust’s annual event is always a great day out for the family.

Completing a fun-packed weekend at the award-winning centre, before there is Jazz in the Meadow tonight from 6.30pm, and An Evening with Soul Kitchen tomorrow evening beginning at 8pm.

When: Sunday, June 5, doors 7pm, show 7.30pm.

How much: £12, £10 concessions.

Contact: 01206 500900.

A VERY special show for the latest running of the Colchester Jazz Club, sees one of the country’s most respected jazz singers pay her own tribute to a singing icon, Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell.

  • RUN Colour5K Colchester, Ardleigh Showground, Colchester

When: Tomorrow, 10am.

How much: £22.

Contact: colour5k.co.uk.

Every kilometre, runners pass through a colour zone and get (100% safe) colour powder thrown at them. Each runner becomes a masterpiece by the end of the race.

  • GARDENS Coggeshall Open Gardens, various sites, Coggeshall

When: Sunday, 2pm to 6pm.

How much: £5 for adults, available from Fork ‘Andles in advance or the Market Square on the day.

As well as woodland, riverside and cottage gardens there will be weaver bird nests in Ben’s Museum and a chance to visit St Nicholas’ Chapel.

  • MUSIC Colchester New Music’s Five-Part Reinventions, Headgate Theatre, Chapel Street North, Colchester

When: Tomorrow, 7.30pm.

How much: £8, £6.

Contact: 01206 366000.

THE co-operative of East Anglian composers challenged fellow composers around the world to write for the unusual combination of a recorder quartet with harpsichord.

In this concert the group premieres a selection of new pieces.

  • ART Firstsite Factory, Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester

​When: Until Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

How much: Free.

Contact: 01206 577067.

The Firstsite Factory is an interactive space for public art, inspired by Andy Warhol’s Factory. Visitors can drop in and take part in a range of free printmaking activities Warhol style.

  • FESTIVAL The 31st Colchester Real Ale and Cider Festival, Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, Colchester.

When: Until tomorrow, midday to 11pm.

How much: Free for card-carrying CAMRA Members, others free midday to 3pm, £3 thereafter.

The festival offers more than 120 beers from all over the country, real cider and perry. There is also a Belgian bar offering draught and bottled Belgian beers. English wines from Mersea Island Vineyard are also available. Soft drinks are free for designated drivers. Commemorative festival glasses are £3.

  • GARDENING ​Garden Swap Shop, Paycocke's House, 25 West Street, Coggeshall

When: Tomorrow and Sunday, 11am to 4.30pm.

How much: Free. Admission charges for house still apply.

The Garden Swap Shop is a chance for gardeners to swap a
plant from their own garden for those at Paycocke's. The gardens team will be on hand to share gardening tips.