A pop up immersive festival brought to you by Creative Network Partners.

Find a roller disco, a 5m high medieval street scene, an 80ft banqueting table piled with a whole wild boar, gourmet street food and a cutting edge exhibition. Hackney Downs Studios was acquired by the company in October and the whole festival has been imagined and delivered within a two month planning period. The hugely ambitious festival set has been designed and built in house from scratch by the architectural and production team

Perfect stocking fillers, collectables, cards and trinkets all await within a dystopian woodland setting. The night market is a sensual, interactive extravaganza with immersive live happenings. Wander through an unearthly street scene, sampling gourmet street food from Lucky Chip burger, The Bowler, Homeslice, Luardos, Hardcore Prawn, Kimchi Cult and Molly Bakes.

An exhibition showcasing new artists and cutting edge techniques forms an integral part of the event. Wen Wu’s recent works explore the beauty of young men seen through the eyes of her recently discovered alter ego, a gay, middle aged ancient Greek man. Royal College of Art alumni Eleanor Taylor is exhibiting her illustrations that ref­er­ence Medieval, Byzan­tine and cubist paint­ings, whilst, Lisa Stockham’s sculptures express modern day life and anxieties through pattern, decoration and textile imagery.

Housed in the heart of the festival; a medieval banquet of epic proportions. Enjoy a sumptuous feast of venison and wild boar, whilst imbibing vodka cocktails at a 80ft feasting table all supplied by local producers the Wild Game Company. In the main space lies a roller disco set in a galactic 6,000 sq. ft. warehouse. Complete with themed and curated bars, vintage dressing-up box and make-up station aiding skaters into a land of giant inflatable art, projections and mirror balls. Speakeasy aficionados Milk & Honey are on hand with hot cocktails…and this is just a taster of what’s in store.

With its new project Hackney Downs Studios, Creative Network Partners – the pioneering team behind Netil House, Netil Market, Netil 360 and Netil 000 – is aiming to breathe life into a forgotten print-works, transforming it into a cutting edge space for creatives, artists, professionals and the community. The studios will incorporate a live music venue, temporary gourmet restaurants, a screening room, media hub, film and recording studios and a spa.

CNP’s Fran Levy says: “From the start, our aim has been to provide a welcoming and accessible platform for all members of our local community to showcase their talents. Netil House and Netil Market have become hotspots for up and coming creative talent. With Once Upon A Wintertime, we hope to push that further by unveiling what we’re capable of as a company whilst collaborating with the local community, promoting talent and getting as many people as possible involved along the way!”

Once Upon A Wintertime is working with partners including Art Against Knives, The Amazings and Pamphlet to engage the local population and bring together the residential and artistic communities of Tower Hamlets and Hackney.

Friday from 6pm – 3am, Saturday from 4pm – 3am.

Tickets: Advance £15 / £20 / More on the door / Last entry Midnight Entry to the market free with a ticket £5 without (£3 concession). Children under 12 enter for free.