Hillview Festival

HILLVIEW FESTIVAL
We're hoping to see you later this year, in the meantime take care! Xx

Set in the beautiful leafy courtyards, and surrounding streets, of a Victorian housing estate in the heart of King's Cross, the Hillview Festival is a dynamic and colourful programme of music, dance, circus, and arts activities, along side a community market, food stalls and a Tiki Bar. Free and open to everyone, the festival celebrates local talent and cultural diversity within our community, drawing on a wide pool of artists and performers from the local area and beyond. During the 1980s and 90s the Hillview Festival was instrumental in building a more friendly and cohesive community at a time when King’s Cross was deemed a hell-hole and a slum.

The Hillview Estate now sits on the edge of one of the largest and most desirable private development sites in Europe, surrounded by major corporations, high end shops and restaurants … gentrification that could lead to the loss of a quintessential spirit that makes our neighbourhood distinctive. We'd like to ensure that any changes have a positive impact, and a festival is a joyous way to develop community relations, and encourage positive social action. Residents wish to continue producing events that help retain the strength and character of our unique neighbourhood.

Photo credits
This page: Festivals, Catherine Packard 1989; Angela Harrison 2019
Banner: Festivals 2017 & 2019, Tiago; Ray Yates; Joe Harrison; David Styan

We're busy preparing for the 40^th anniversary Hillview Festival …

Check back soon to find out about more the exciting events programme we're planning for you all!

If you would like to get involved in any way feel free to get in touch.

Hillview Art Competition

Open to residents of all ages and abilities who live on the Hillview Estate, the competition will culminate in an outdoor exhibition as part of the Bloomsbury festival v. The theme is Life in Lockdown: haven or hell, and can be widely interpreted using any materials as long as the end creation is 2D

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Hillview Poetic Histories

Poems inspired by life on The Hillview Estate; resident involvement in 1980s squatter movements, and other tales told by those who live there. A collaboration between Hillview residents and Poet in the City.

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Hillview Peoples' Archive

Hillview Peoples' Archive has recently been launched to document and share the estate’s unique story, and to galvanise residents, housing providers, policy makers, academics, artists, and the wider populace in the conversation around the right to a home. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to share their experiences, or add to the archive; we welcome photos, film, or any other form of memorabilia relating to life on the Hillview Estate.

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The festival is totally accessible, but please note there are some uneven surfaces and cobbled areas.

Toilets will be located on Argyle Walk, round the corner from McGlynns Public House.

Whidborne Street, WC1H London, UK

info@hillviewfestival.co.uk

A big thank you from Hillview Residents' Association goes to all those that help to make this a fabulous day!!

The Hillview Festival is entirely run by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, and generously supported by our many neighbourhood friends, and partners including Holborn Community Association, Francis Crick Institute, Poet in the City, The British Library, Beara Beara, Casa Tua. We are very grateful to have been awarded funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the Mayor of London’s Culture Seeds, Camden's Community Festival Fund, and One Housing Group.