It'll look a lot less like Christmas in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens this year as the NSW government axes a festival most have never heard of.
Noel Sydney, a Christmas light festival on the eastern edge of the CBD, is one of two multi-million-dollar festivals being cut as part of a new upcoming arts and culture plan.
"We won't be staging one of the least known festivals - a festival most members of the public have never heard of," Arts Minister John Graham told reporters on Friday.
Sydneysiders can also say goodbye to partying along the freeway above Circular Quay as the money spent on the ELEVATE Sydney event is redirected to other artistic ventures.
The new strategy will provide even greater support to a sector ravaged by pandemic-related closures and strong economic headwinds, Mr Graham said.
"We'll be investing in the arts and culture sector - I expect to see more support of the sector across the board," he added.
"But we won't be putting on fake culture.
"Instead, we'll be backing the things that are working."
The NSW government has taken a step towards developing its first dedicated arts, culture and creative industry policy with the hopes of growing the sector and potentially transforming the harbour city into a cultural capital.
A discussion paper was released on Friday to field ideas on what needs to improve for audiences and those within the industry.
"The room for more potential is massive," Mr Graham said.
"It will put arts and culture at the centre of the story we tell about Sydney."
The strategy is aligned with the national five-year plan to renew and revive the $122.3 billion Australian arts industry.
The consultation process will include 11 in-person town hall-style meetings in the weeks leading up to August 31.
The final state policy is scheduled to launch in December.
