Bristol: Upfest will not be held in 2023 due to rising costs

Europe's largest street art festival will not be held in 2023 due to rising costs.

Upfest returned to south Bristol this summer for the first time since 2019 due to the Covid pandemic.

But organisers say they need to raise at least £180,000 to stage the free event, which will next be held in 2024.

The festival's co-founder Steve Hayles said: "We're gutted to not be putting on the festival in 2023 but the risk to the organisation is just too great."

He added: "We know our visitors love the festival and it has played a big part in making Bedminster a street art hub for the city and has become known internationally for it.

"With rising infrastructure costs, site fees and without funding, we won't be able to raise the funds we need in 2023 to keep the festival free, so instead we will turn our attention to 2024."

About 50,000 people attended the 2022 festival, which involved 400 artists from 70 countries coming to Bristol to create murals across Bedminster, Southville and Ashton.

Organisers say they will focus on other projects in 2023, including artist exhibitions at their permanent gallery on North Street, and getting ahead with planning for 2024.

The festival expanded in 2022 to move its base to a new location at Greville Smyth Park, and also had artists painting at Ashton Gate Stadium and the Tobacco Factory.

"Anyone who would like to support or sponsor the festival in 2024 would be very welcome and please do get in touch," said Mr Hayles.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]