A sprawling festive town filled with seasonal feasts, markets and entertainment has sprung up in Victoria Park for the second year running.

Following the success of Winterville in 2014, the alternative festival – which describes itself as “the antithesis of Christmas theme parks” – returns this week on a bigger scale with added attractions including a “winter garden” cinema, circus and crazy golf.

Like last year, there will also be a myriad of food stalls selling anything from bratwurst to brownies, a “town” pub serving winter cocktails with sing-a-long piano sessions and a market selling a range of potential Christmas gifts, this time with a Vaudeville-Victorian theme.

The theme park rides and ice rink also return, as does the Dutch-inspired Spiegeltent big top, housing some of the best alternative entertainment in east London.

Stars from The Moscow State Circus will give daily shows as well as three special Nightmare On Christmas adult shows.

Entertainment in the Spiegeltent will include popular club night Bugged Out’s Little Bugger, the popular Indeedy Musical Bingo and a pantomime for all the family. Meanwhile, live music will include folk musician James Yorkston.

Set in the south corner of the park and accessed off Old Ford Road in Bow, entry to the festival is free but prices for rides and attractions vary.

Marcus Weedon, Winterville organiser, said: “We were really pleased with our first year and hope we achieved what we set out to – to produce a different Christmas event that was driven with fantastic content from the family entertainment to the vibrant merrymaking in the Spiegeltent and the varied and delicious food and drink on offer.

“We want to create an interesting environment for all ages and this year we’ve added the unique Backyard Cinema, a circus for all ages. We hope to see familiar faces returning and welcoming many news ones to our little town.”

For a full line up of events and more information click here