Colchester Has Talent is back for 2026, giving aspiring singers, dancers, musicians, magicians, comedians and performers aged eight to 16 the chance to showcase their skills in front of a live audience. The competition will once again be hosted at Lion Walk Shopping Centre, with organisers promising the biggest event yet thanks to the introduction of group acts alongside solo and duo performances. Martin Leatherdale, centre manager at Lion Walk, said: “Colchester Has Talent is back – and this year is going to be bigger than ever. Brilliant - DJ Finnatic took to the decks for the 2025 Colchester Has Talent final (Image: KAT Marketing)“The talent we've seen come through this competition never fails to blow us away, and 2026 is bound to surprise us further. Competition - Expert judges saw a great array of acts in Colchester (Image: KAT Marketing)Mr Lawal said: “The talent this competition uncovers never fails to amaze us.