Festival of Busselton New Year’s Eve at risk of cancellation due to rising costs

The Festival of Busselton’s popular New Year’s Eve event is at risk of cancellation if more sponsors don’t jump onboard to assist with rising costs.

Festival president Paulyn Robson Chew said public liability insurance has increased by 135 per cent since 2024, while sound and lighting costs have increased by 250 per cent since 2023.

“We’ve had a lot of messages on social media about it, that it would be a very sad loss, because there are so many family ties and good memories associated with the event,” she said.

“We’re questioning now if we cancel New Year’s Eve, so that we can just run all the other events as is with our current grants and sponsors, or go out to the public and try and drum up new support to sponsor specifically for New Year’s Eve.”

The New Year’s celebration typically attracts about 10,000 people to the Busselton Foreshore and has become a relatively new fixture within the festival’s 62-year history, spanning an action-packed line-up of free events from outdoor movies and live music to markets, water fights and children’s events.

Ms Robson Chew said there was often a misconception that the festival is run by the City of Busselton, but it is entirely volunteer-led.

“We do this on top of our day jobs, and we only can survive through donations and sponsorships,” she said.

“Next year will be our 63rd festival, but to keep it sustainable and not worry every year whether we can keep going or not, we really need to drum up the support now so that we can forward plan into the future.”

Those interested in sponsoring the event can reach out via the Festival of Busselton Facebook page or contact Paulyn Robson Chew at thefestivalofbusselton@gmail.com.