City of Sydney boosts Sydney Festival funding

The City of Sydney will be increasing its funding of the Sydney Festival First Night from $200,000 to $500,000.

This brings the city's total funding of the festival to $1.5 million.

'Festival First Night' which engulfed the CBD with free performances and activities throughout the entire first night of the festival was a big hit with the crowds.

From a free concert with Brian Wilson in the Domain, to salsa lessons in Hyde Park, dancing throughout Martin Place and even a huge triple wedding up Macquarie Street, Festival First Night looks set to become a yearly event in Sydney.

Even though the NSW State Government won't admit that it will continue to fund Festival First Night, this latest move will no doubt put pressure on Arts Minister Frank Sartor and Treasurer Michael Costa.

The increased funding will apparently go through council early next week with formal announcements to be made shortly after.

Image: From official Daily Telegraph Sydney Festival blog