The Benalla Street Art Festival is set to transform the regional city into a vibrant open-air gallery once again, unveiling an eclectic lineup of renowned and emerging artists whose work reflects the boundless realm of contemporary street art.
From bold murals and intricate paste-ups to immersive installations and experiential works, this year’s program celebrates the expansive language of art and its power to connect communities, cultures and ideas.
Guided by new Creative Director Simon Grant, owner and founder of Wonderwalls Street Art Festival – Australia’s largest and longest-running street art festival – the 2026 event signals an exciting evolution for Benalla’s internationally admired art trail.
Under Grant’s creative leadership, the festival presents a diverse cohort of artists spanning local talent, national leaders and internationally recognised creatives. Together, they will transform walls, laneways and public spaces into compelling works that invite reflection, conversation and discovery.
“Street art has an incredible ability to transform spaces and connect people,” said
Grant. “Benalla already holds a special place in Australia’s street art landscape, and this next chapter will build on that legacy while introducing new voices, new stories and a fresh creative energy.”
The festival’s vision extends beyond visual spectacle. Its aspiration is to evolve into a nationally recognised celebration of arts and culture – one that champions diversity, inclusivity and accessibility while fostering meaningful connections between artists and community.
Mayor Cr Bernie Hearn said the festival continues to strengthen Benalla’s reputation as a creative and cultural destination.
“Benalla Street Art Festival has become a defining feature of our city,” Cr Hearn said. “It brings colour, energy and opportunity to our streets while creating meaningful connections between artists, residents and visitors.
“We are proud to support a festival that not only enhances our public spaces but also contributes to local businesses, tourism and community pride,” she added.
The result is a celebration of artistic diversity that transcends borders, bringing together creatives from across the globe and the local landscape to contribute to Benalla’s ever-growing outdoor gallery.
“Our vision is to create an experience that is inclusive, accessible and inspiring — one that invites both locals and visitors to engage with art in unexpected ways and see the city through a new lens,” Grant added.
Visitors are invited to explore the artworks, meet the artists and experience the city through a new creative lens, reinforcing Benalla’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading regional destinations for public art.
Event details, artist announcements and program highlights will be released in the coming weeks.