A FOUR-DAY festival of food and films in the idyllic surroundings of Castle Park is going ahead despite the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

Colchester Events Company has teamed up with Pop Up Pictures to bring the Outdoor Film and Food Festival to the park next week.

Taking place across two locations in the park, movie-goers can relax in the great outdoors whilst watching some classic and crowd pleasing films.

A total of 13 different films are being show between Thursday and Sunday, with two and three for one ticket offers available for some screenings.

Singalong favourites include Elton John biopic Rocketman, musical The Greatest Showman and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Oscar-winner Danny Boyle’s Yesterday, based on the music of The Beatles and part filmed in Clacton, is also part of a double bill with the Sir Elton movie on Sunday.

Horror comedy favourite Shaun of the Dead along with Harry Enfield classic Kevin & Perry Go Large will provide the laughs for moviegoers.

For those looking after a more chilling experience, Wes Craven horror classic Nightmare on Elm Street will be screened late night on Friday.

There’s plenty on offer for younger audiences as well, with afternoon showings of Dora the Explorer, The Lion King, Frozen II and Toy Story 4.

Even better, kids go free of charge with paying adults, and there are three for one offers for the kids’ movie showings on Friday and Saturday.

Eating Street, a pop-up street food market in Castle Park, will be open to the public throughout the festival long weekend, including for non-movie-goers visiting the town centre.

Colchester Events Company has hosted summer screenings in the park since 2014, however due to the challenges brought about by Covid-19 a number of changes will be in place this year.

The number of films to be shown has reduced from the original plan of 25, social distancing must be adhered to at all times and hand sanitiser stations will be set up on site.

Theresa Higgins, councillor responsible for commercial services, said: “This exciting four-day festival of film and food has something to appeal to all audiences and is a wonderful way to socialise safely in the great outdoors with friends and family groups.

“It’s also heartening to see businesses within the events and hospitality sectors working together to begin responsibly trading once again.”

Prices start from £11.50, with an additional charge if you want to take your own food.

Here are the full film listings: 

Thursday, August 6

Bohemium Rhapsody - 8pm

Friday, August 7

Moana - 12noon

Dora the Explorer - 2pm

Lion King - 4pm

You can watch all three for the price of one

Kevin and Perry 7pm 

A Nightmare On Elm Street - 9.30pm 

Saturday, August 8

Frozen II - 12pm

Toy Story 4 - 2pm

Greatest Showman - 4pm 

You can watch all three for the price of one

Dirty Dancing - 7.30pm 

Shaun of the Dean - 10pm

Sunday, August 9

Yesterday - 1pm 

Rocketman - 3pm

You can watch both for the price of one

For more information or to book, visit colchester-events.co.uk/event/film-food-festival.