Europe's largest street art festival, Upfest, will not be going ahead next year, it has been announced.
The saddening announcement was made on the Bristol festival's official Twitter page this morning (December 2) and comes following a bleak period in which the only festival in three years was held this year, in summer 2022.
The tweet says it is due to the "increasing costs related to the events industry", stating they "simply won't be able raise the necessary funds to put on the event that we know you all love and deserve.
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"We're gutted to not to bring UPFEST back next year, so instead we will turn our attention to 2024 where we hope to bring this iconic Bristol festival back.
"Mega thanks to everyone who has ever supported the festival over the years and we can't wait to be back at Greville Smyth Park with you all making even more street art magic. Big love, team Upfest."
Fans have reacted by expressing their sorrow online:
@csrejon said: "Bristol losing its essence day by day. Not great."
Andrew Kelly (@pandaemoniumnow) said: "This is disappointing to hear and is further evidence of the need to find new ways of funding activities like this which celebrate art, enable new art to be created, and bring visitors to the city."
The citywide festival was founded in 2008, where a group of 20 artists got together for a day of painting. This snowballed into 50 once word got around, and when the troupe managed to secure the Tobacco Factory the first ever Upfest was held.
These days, it normally attracts around 400 artists and 50,000 visitors, taking place at both Greville Smyth Park and the Tobacco Factory.
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