Hillview Festival

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.

The Hillview Estate sits on the edge of one of the largest 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.

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 carried great stigma and was a last resort for many people who moved here. Residents wish to continue producing an annual event that helps to retain the strength and character of our unique neighbourhood.

Photo credits:
Escuela de Baille: Angela Harrison, 2017
Carousel: Catherine Packard, 1992

The Scorpios

Hailing from Central Sudan and now based in London after fleeing the fundamentalist takeover in that region, the Scorpios are a septet that melds Arabic rhythms with a raw Eastern funk feel.

Ian Beetlestone & The Drowning Rats with Bee Ororo

Originally salvaged from the murky waters of the Leeds house party scene in the early 2000s, Ian Beetlestone & the Drowning Rats didn’t surface again until the mid 2010s in London’s equally murky King’s Cross.

Eliza Shaddad

'Shaddad’s lyrics are perfectly rounded and weighted, like pebbles ripe for skimming, and she hurls them out with such conviction that following their paths toward the horizon is a wholly captivating affair'

Grand Union Orchestra

Local singer Mahamaya Shil and her son Joshi on tabla feature in a dynamic six-piece band playing a programme combining South Asian song with Carnival music ... rhythms of the world unite!

Nick & Jen from Midhope House

It’s jazz Jim, but not as we know it ...

The Bus King Puppet Theatre

Roll up, Roll up, do come in! Please take your seats and we'll begin! This puppet theatre brings magic and wonder, on board a bus like no other!

Circus Skills for everyone

Come and join multi talented circus artists Johnny and Mark for a madcap adventure, where everyone can take part.

Anna the Hulagan

Spontaneous and spirit lifting, we're really looking forward to virtuoso performances from 'London's cult hula hooping artiste' with the additional thrill of Fire!!

Showmi Dance Company

From Bengali Folk to Bollywood, we welcome to the stage a variety of colourful and vibrant dance performances from South Asia.

Zubaidah

Belly Dancer extraordinaire

The Kings Place Choir

Presenting a diverse and exciting programme from Bruckner to Beyoncé ...

Manifest Nation

Hip Hop, Street Style ... check out the energy and talent of this youth dance collective.

We are delighted that festival veterans, stalwarts of the neighbourhood, and our great friends Chris Adamson and Luci Bocchioni will be compèring the days events.

There is an eclectic mix of stalls providing all sorts of goodies, delicious food, and local information.

Come and relax in our lovely courtyard café; set in leafy green surrounds and serving scrumptious homemade bakes, or partake in an exotic cocktail from our fabulous Tiki Street Bar.

Try your luck at the tombola, lucky dip, and hook a duck, or get your face painted ... it's free!

We have mouthwatering food from various parts of the globe, as well as a variety of craft, bric a brac and local community stalls.

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.