Grand Total for 2025...
£0
This spectacular total was made up of donations collected on the day, plus funds raised by the Film & TV Quiz nights, Mark Davies’ charity art auction, the Prize Draw, and year-round fundraising — including Darth Vader’s Galactic Grotto and a North Primary School character visit.
Our heartfelt thanks go to our sponsors and charity partners — including Ace Comics, Beresfords, Colchester Castle, Colchester City Council, Colchester Events, Culver Square, Curzon, Dragonfly Lounge, Fenwick, Film & TV Quiz, Lion Walk, Mark Davies, Park & Ride, BID / InColchester, St Helena Hospice, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, and Mind (Mid & North East Essex) — for helping make this total possible.
Thanks also to the companies and performers who donated time or money, our special guests, and every volunteer and costumer who gave up their day to bring the smiles and fill the buckets.
And to everyone who joined us in 2025 — dressed up, donated, and cheered us on — thank you. Your generosity makes a real difference.
Check out our thank-yous to see everyone who made this possible.
Thank You!
A huge thank you to everyone who powered Invasion Colchester this year. From our Sponsors & Charity Partners who funded and supported the day, to the generous Prize Draw Donators who filled our table with amazing prizes, and the incredible Groups & Crew who gave their time, talent and energy — we’re grateful for each and every one of you. Take a look below to see the legends behind the magic.
Sponsors & Charity Partners
- Ace Comics
- Beresfords
- Bid / InColchester
- Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity
- Colchester Castle
- Colchester City Council
- Colchester Events
- Culver Square
- Curzon
- Dragonfly Lounge
- Fenwick
- Film & TV Quiz
- Lion Walk
- Mark Davies
- Mind (Mid & North East Essex)
- Park & Ride
- St Helena Hospice
Prize Draw Donators
- Bill & Berts
- Colchester Castle
- Colchester Events
- Colchester Operatic Society
- Culver Square
- Fairfield Crisps
- Fenwick
- Firstsite
- Lion Walk
- Mercury Theatre
- Microscooter
- Miller & Carter
- MP Gallery
- Other Monkey Brewery
- Wooden Fender
Groups & Crew
- Coasters Scooter Club
- Colchester Zoo
- Essex Cosplay
- Glass Slipper
- Kent Iron Throne
- Manchester Ghostbusters
- Mandalorian Mercs
- Norfolk Ghostbusters
- Rebel Legion
- Reel Icons
- Saber Guild
- South Essex Ghostbusters
- Southend Ghostbusters
- Synergy Cosplay
- UK Garrison
- UK Ghostbusters
- Yorkshire Ghostbusters
A huge thank you is owed to every individual cosplayer who gave up their day — especially Luke Rosier, who always gets sponsored to dress up.
Some of the biggest thanks go to our team of volunteers who help make the event happen by wearing the shirts, welcoming the public, and collecting the all-important donations on the day!
Meet Your Heroes
There will be characters from Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Doctor Who, Predators, Jurassic Park, Movie Princesses and more, as well as your favourite Comic Book and Movie Superheroes, plus Show Cars from TV and film!
You can see amazing live performances from some supremely talented local musicians.
There will also be a number of fun competitions you can take part in with a great selection of prizes to be won!
From Fenwick to Ace Comics, Lion Walk and Culver Square, all of this is organised to encourage our fabulous supporters to give some money to our charities...
St Helena Hospice, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, and Mind (Mid & North East Essex)
...who provide essential services to the community.
Come and join in the fun!
What's On...
ACE Comics
Culver Street East
Look out for... TV, film & fantasy favourites — plus the famous tombola.
Colchester Castle
Castle Park
Look out for... "Thunderbirds & Co: The Joy of Puppetry" - Thunderbirds 60th Anniversary exhibition including live puppetry demonstrations.
Colchester Market
High Street
Look out for... A street full of familiar faces from TV & film.
Culver Square Shopping Centre
Culver Square
Look out for... Ghostbusters HQ — big displays & Ectomobiles — plus Dinosaurs, Movie Princesses, Props Dept display, Knight Rider, Lightning McQueen, Show Cars, stalls, the St Helena Hospice team, and the Fancy Dress Competition.
Curzon Colchester
Queen Street
Look out for... Quiz Night — Saturday 6 September, 7pm. Fancy dress encouraged. Teams of up to 5. £2 per person, cash only. All ticket money is donated to Invasion Colchester. Book here.
Dragonfly Lounge
Long Wyre Street
Look out for... lightsaber lessons for adults & children running all day — courtesy of the Star Saber Guild. Drop by to sign up, pose for a photo with our Jedi or Sith, or just say "Hello there".
Fenwick
High Street
Look out for... Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, the Mind (Mid & North East Essex) team — and the Mark Davies charity art auction inside Fenwick: custom-framed "Among The Clouds" (Star Wars), diamond-dusted & hand-embellished, Limited Edition #1AP. Bid here.
Firstsite
High Street
Look out for... the Superhero Creative Station, the Folk & Bespoke Market, the Festival of Rice and Spice, Relaxed Hours (low-sensory "Stealth Mode"), a Super Selfie Station, and the Big Screen Showdown — watch the brand-new "Superman" at Firstsite Cinema. Details here.
Lion Walk
Lion Walk
Look out for... an interactive history of "Dungeons & Dragons" — quest cards and giant dice rolling.
Lion Walk Shopping Centre
Lion Walk
Look out for... Our Special Guests, Comic Characters & Super Heroes (including Deadpool), the Batmobile, Doctor Who TARDIS, Predators, Steampunk, DJ Fettdog, live music, Fragers Arcade Alley, and the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity team.
Outside Baptist Church
Lion Walk
Look out for... the first "Invasion Colchester Dog Fancy Dress Competition" hosted by Poochios Pet Supplies. Registration from 1:30pm. Entry £2 (donation to Invasion charities). Heats: Small dogs 2:00pm, Medium 2:30pm, Large 3:00pm. Rosettes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each category.
Late addition... Live wrestling matches from School of Slam Wrestling — bouts at 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm and 3:00pm.
MP Galleries
Sir Isaac's Walk
Look out for... Rob Bishop exhibition & artist appearance — plus more characters.
Other Monkey Brewing
St Nicholas Street
Look out for... "Hook & Ladder" — a one-off event beer pouring at The Taproom, with limited cans to take home. A portion of proceeds supports Invasion Colchester.
St Nicholas Square
Off High Street
Look out for... Star Wars Central starring Stormtroopers, Jedi Sith, Mandalorians & more, plus Star Cars — marvellous machines from TV & film.
War Memorial
High Street
Look out for... Coasters Scooter Club — plenty of gear on display, plus music.
Scroll down for more details...
Fancy Dress Competition
Love dressing up? Under 14? Then this one’s for you. Step into Culver Square Shopping Centre on Saturday 6 September for the Invasion Colchester Children’s Fancy Dress Competition!
Age Categories
There will be three different age catergories... 4 and under, 5-8 and 9+ ...and 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed prizes in each category.
How to Enter
Rock your best costume—store-bought or homemade—head to Colchester city centre for Invasion Colchester, and be by the judging area in Culver Square at the allotted time.
On the Day
The competition zone will be roped off. Only entrants inside, please. (Parents of very little ones can accompany them; otherwise, we ask grown-ups to stay behind the rope to avoid crowding.)
Winners announced, prizes awarded… then a group photo to cap it off.
Good luck!
| Competition Timetable | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age Range | Judging Time | Location |
| 4 and unders | 11.00am | Culver Square |
| 5-8 year olds | 12.30pm | Culver Square |
| 9+ | 2.00pm | Culver Square |
Prize Draw Winners
We sold 2,536 tickets — raising £2,536 directly for St Helena Hospice. Thank you!
Huge thanks to our generous sponsors - including Bill & Berts, Colchester Castle, Colchester Events, Colchester Operatic Society, Culver Square, Curzon, Fairfield Crisps, Fenwick, Firstsite, Lion Walk, Mercury Theatre, Micro Scooter, Miller & Carter, MP Gallery, Other Monkey Brewery, Pressi, and The Wooden Fender - for donating prizes, our amazing ticket sellers for doing the legwork, and every ticket buyer who got involved — you made this total possible.
Prizes
The prizes included...
- £200 Voucher Donated by Culver Square Shopping Centre
- £100 Cash Donated by Lion Walk Shopping
- Hamper Donated by Fenwick
- £100 Voucher Donated by The Wooden Fender
- Theatre Voucher Donated by Mercury Theatre
- 4x 'Shrek' Tickets Donated by Charter Hall
- 2x Show Tickets Donated by Colchester Operatic Society
- Cinema Tickets Donated by Curzon
- Restaurant Voucher Donated by Other Monkey Brewery
- Restaurant Voucher Donated by Our Colchester
- Family Castle Museum Pass Donated by Colchester Castle
Winning Numbers (20)
- 0084
- 1550
- 1735
- 1792
- 2153
- 2302
- 2546
- 2624
- 2890
- 2897
- 2933
- 2990
- 3323
- 3524
- 3875
- 3882
- 4309
- 4456
- 4739
- 4895
The draw took place on Thursday, 25 September 2025 at ACE Comics. Winning ticket numbers are listed above, and the winners will be contacted in due course. If your number appears, please keep your ticket safe while we arrange collection.
Live Music & Entertainment
Live music is back at Invasion Colchester with a day-long soundtrack in Lion Walk Courtyard. We’re championing brilliant local talent once again—perfect for a sing-along, a dance, or just soaking up the vibes between photo ops and star cars.
Kicking things off at 10:30am is Trevor Johnson-Thurston, followed by Jack Walsh at 11:30am. After lunch, Jake Cheek takes the stage at 1:00pm, before Fraser Morgan closes the live sets at 2:00pm. Threading it all together, DJ Fettdog spins hero anthems and feel-good tunes throughout the day.
Keep the music rolling — from 4:00pm–10:00pm, Dutchy will be DJing and hosting the Invasion Colchester After Party at Popina in The Courtyard. Join us for end-of-day tunes and good vibes.
All performances are free to enjoy — bring your best crowd energy and, if you can, drop a donation in the buckets to support our charities.
Trevor Johnson-Thurston
10:30am
Jack Walsh
11:30am
Jake Cheek
1:00pm
Fraser Morgan
2:00pm
The Big Sing
3:00pm
Charity Auction – Exclusive Star Wars Artwork by Mark Davies
We’re thrilled to announce a special charity auction in support of Invasion Colchester, hosted at Fenwick, Colchester.
The auction features:
Among The Clouds (Star Wars) by acclaimed artist Mark Davies
Diamond-dusted and hand-embellished canvas
Custom framed
Limited Edition #1AP (Artist Proof)
THE AUCTION HAS ENDED
Show Cars
Batmobiles. Transformers. Ecto-1. Mr Bean’s Mini. The Back to the Future DeLorean. Screen-famous wheels roll into Colchester every year—and this year’s lineup is just as epic.
Find them in St Nicholas Square, Culver Square and along the High Street on Saturday 6 September. Get close, grab a selfie, meet the icons!
Plus at the War Memorial: Coasters Scooter Club — featuring the scooter ridden by Phil Daniels in Quadrophenia, plenty of gear on display, and music.
Hook & Ladder Ale
Bustin’ makes me feel… thirsty!
Meet Hook & Ladder Ale — a one-off, Ghostbusters-themed collab with Other Monkey Brewing brewed just for Invasion Colchester.
Pouring exclusively at The Taproom the week of Invasion Colchester, with limited-edition cans to take home. A portion of every pour supports Invasion Colchester. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!
Dress up. Ride free.
Heading to Invasion Colchester in costume? Your Colchester Park & Ride fare is on us.*
Regular fares below...
| Colchester Park and Ride | |
|---|---|
| Adult | £3.00 |
| Child (between 5–18 ) | £1.00 |
| Under 5's | Free |
| Concessionary | £1.50 |
| Park and Ride will be operating 05:30am – 21:30pm | |
Gallery
View the Gallery
Batman
at Colchester Castle
Check out this amazing gallery from Batman's visit to Colchester Castle!
View the Gallery
Get in Touch
Want to join the cast, volunteer on the day, pitch a fundraising idea, or just ask a question? Use the form below and we’ll get back to you.
