A FREE festival celebrating York’s street performers is being launched with the aim of making it bigger and better than last year’s inaugural event.

Buskival, organised by City of York Council, will take place over the weekend of May 25 and 26. More than 50 street performers, including local, national and international buskers, will take part at pitches around the city centre.

Buskival has been extended to 7pm on the Saturday, with free skills workshops, such as juggling sessions, available and residents and visitors choosing their favourite performer, with each day’s winning artist receiving a £150 prize.

Other prizes, possibly including a recording sessions, will be confirmed shortly, with one of last year’s winning buskers, Neil Ryan, describing the atmosphere Buskival creates as “amazing”.

Homeware company HomeSense, on Foss Islands Road, will again sponsor the event. Store manager Richard Andrews said: “We’re very excited to be part of Buskival again to celebrate the unique, diverse and entertaining musical talent in our community.”

Coun Sonja Crisp, the council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “It’s a great performance opportunity, a way of celebrating the skills and talents of street performers who help enliven the city centre, and terrific entertainment to draw in even more people.”

Buskers must have a current, valid York busking badge to participate. More information is at yorkfestivals.com, at Buskival’s Facebook page or from @York_Festivals on twitter.