Arts & Culture

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Arts & Culture

Celebrate local arts, cultural events, and heritage sites in Benalla Rural City. Discover resources and opportunities to engage with our vibrant arts and culture community.

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General Permit Application (Busking in Benalla)
Flowers painted on wall with wooden seat in foreground

Discover the vibrant arts and cultural scene of Benalla Rural City, where you can see the art in everything. Explore our world-class art gallery, colourful street art, lively festivals, culinary delights, and unique events that showcase the region’s rich cultural identity. Image: Holly Hawkins

The Benalla Art Gallery is an iconic cultural destination and one of Victoria’s premier regional art galleries. Nestled alongside Lake Benalla and the Benalla Botanical 

Gardens, this striking modernist building houses a nationally renowned collection spanning three centuries of Australian art.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse program of high-quality exhibitions, workshops, talks, and events designed to captivate art lovers of all ages. The gallery also features a vibrant café overlooking the lake and a well-stocked gift shop.

Visit the Benalla Art Gallery website for more information about the current exhibition schedule and to learn more. 

Benalla proudly wears the title of Australia’s regional street art capital. With over 80 murals created by celebrated local and international artists, the town has become a hub for urban creativity. Stroll through the streets and laneways to admire works by renowned artists such as Adnate, Dvate, Melanie Caple, and Sofles and more.

Don’t miss the Benalla Street Art Festival, which returns in 2025 from 11 – 13 April. This three-day celebration of street art features new murals being painted live, art exhibitions, cinema screenings, and public forums. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see Benalla transformed into a dynamic outdoor art gallery.

Grab a Street Art map from the Benalla Visitor Information Centre or ask about the Storytowns audio tour to make the most of your visit.

Benalla Rural City hosts an exciting calendar of festivals and events throughout the year. From the community-driven Benalla Festival to the iconic Benalla Street Art Festival, and with plenty in-between there are a host of events in Benalla and its surrounding towns. Visit the events calendar for the latest updates and detailed information on what’s happening in the region.

Whether you’re after farm-to-table freshness or a relaxing drink with friends, Benalla Rural City has it all. Indulge your tastebuds with:

  • Local pub fare and vibrant café culture. 
  • Regional wineries and cellar doors in the Glenrowan Wine Region, known for its high-quality winemaking and rich local history.
  • Farmers markets, such as the Benalla Lakeside Craft and Farmers Market, are excellent places to sample fresh, locally grown produce.
  • Locally grown produce, tantalise the tastebuds with local producers offer a taste of the rich agricultural heritage of the Benalla region. 

Take time to savour the flavours of this vibrant region by planning your food and wine experience today starting at enjoybenalla.com.au

Whether you’re exploring the gallery nosing through markets and antiques strolling among street art murals, or joining in a festival, Benalla Rural City is packed with experiences that celebrate creativity and connection. For more information or to plan your visit, head to enjoybenalla.com.au or contact the Benalla Visitor Information Centre.

Uncover layers of history in every view and discover Benalla’s proud and fascinating history, from elegant Victorian-era buildings, to museums and gardens.

Look into early colonial days and unlock intriguing discoveries from Benalla’s beginnings on the self-guided Heritage Trail.

Discover the legend of Ned Kelly and explore some of the places where Australia’s greatest folk tale was lived and fought including the infamous site of the Stringybark Creek shoot out.

Unearth a treasure trove of authentic period costumes and dress dating as far back as 1770 at the Costume and Kelly Museum, located at the Benalla Visitor Centre and Cinema at 14 Mair Street Benalla.

Benalla Rural City Council offers year-round busking permits to help create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere in the Benalla CBD area. 

While the fee for an annual General Permit (Busking) is $65.50 for a first application and $21.50 to renew for 12 months, there are special occasions, such as December, when busking is FREE in Benalla Rural City. Please note that during ‘Free Busking’ periods, all buskers still need to register for a free permit and must at all times comply with the conditions of the permit. 

Please fill the form here to apply for a FREE busking permit. If you would like to apply for a General Permit to busk outside of the free busking period, complete the General Permit application form. 

Enjoy Benalla and all that it has to offer, from galleries, museums, gardens and history – See the art in everything!  For more information go to www.enjoybenalla.com.au

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