The Benalla Festival returns this month with nine days of family-friendly activities.
The Benalla Festival is back for 2026, bringing nine jam-packed days of music, arts, entertainment and community fun from Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 8.
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Hosted by Benalla Rural City Council, the festival celebrates the community, culture and creativity of Benalla Rural City.
Events are taking place across Benalla and the rural townships of Moorngag, Devenish and Swanpool.
Many are free or low cost, and most are run by local clubs, community groups and residents.
The fun starts with a free, family-friendly Halloween Party at Benalla Golf Club on Saturday, October 31from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.
Expect face painting, a jumping castle, trick or treating and prizes for the best dressed kids and adults.
On Sunday, November 1, several local residents will open their private gardens to the public from 10am to 4pm, raising funds for the Tomorrow Today Foundation.
Out in Devenish, the country market runs from 9am to 1pm, with the third annual Inflatable Animal Race at 11am.
The ever popular A Day in the Garden Market returns for the 2026 Benalla Festival. Photo: James Bugg.
Diwali @ the Mural returns on Monday, November 2 from 6pm to 9.30pm, lighting up the Ceramic Mural on Mair St with a free celebration that ends with fireworks.
The festival's biggest night, Benalla by the Lake, takes over the Lake Benalla foreshore on Saturday, November 7 from 3.30pm to 9.30pm.
Enjoy live music, street food, family entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display over the water.
Entry is free.
Live performances run right through the program, from Benalla’s Rose City Band in the Botanical Gardens rotunda to the Australian Welsh Male Choir at Swanpool Hall.
The festival wraps up on Sunday, November 8 with the Day in the Gardens Market at the Benalla Botanic Gardens from 9am to 3pm.
Benalla Festival Advisory Committee chair and Rural City of Benalla Deputy Mayor Justin King encouraged everyone to pick up a copy of the festival pocket guide, which he says is the perfect catalogue of everything on offer.
“Benalla Festival is a celebration of the people and places that make our rural city so special,” Cr King said.
“And the pocket guide makes it easy to see what's on, when and where, so you can plan your days and not miss a thing.
“This year’s program is full of festival favourites, from the fireworks at Benalla by the Lake and Diwali @ the Mural to open gardens, community markets and live music.”
The pocket guide of the festival program includes a day-by-day listing of events and a handy festival map.
An access map of Benalla township, showing disabled parking, accessible toilets, mobility recharging points and public seating, is available online.
So, pick up a program, round up the family and friends, and come along.
Every event you attend helps support the local groups who work hard to bring our community together.
Your free pocket guide is now available from council’s customer service centre, the Benalla Visitor Information Centre, Benalla Library and many local businesses.
For full event details, including times, locations and tickets, visit benallafestival.com.au
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