Modifications made to the Benalla Festival Program

Published on 28 October 2022

While recent weather events may have modified this year's Benalla Festival line-up of events, it hasn't dampened the spirits of the Festival Committee which is working hard to develop a revamped Festival program.

Benalla Festival Chair Cr Don Firth said recent wet weather and further rain predicted, the Committee had made the difficult decision to postpone, or cancel some of the events planned for this year’s festival.

“The Benalla Airshow, scheduled for Saturday 5 November has been postponed - with a new date to be announced soon,” Cr Firth said.

The Benalla Airshow event facilitator, the Gliding Club of Victoria’s Bruce Cowan, said continuous rain across the entire region has had a direct impact on the Benalla airfield, preventing safe fly-in operations and providing no solid ground for on-ground facilities.

Mr Cowan said all tickets would remain valid for the new date, which would be announced once confirmed.

The Festival Committee have also enacted its wet weather safety plan with modifications to the Benalla by the Lake Food and Wine Festival to be held on Saturday 5 November.

“The Foreshore Festival will become a ‘Celebration in the Street’ as the event is moved off the grassed area to higher ground in Fawckner Drive,” Cr Firth said.

Cr Firth said the Day in the Gardens event, scheduled for Sunday 6 November, would be postponed.

“The health and safety of our community is paramount and with recent weather events, the grounds at the Benalla Botanical Gardens are sodden and not conducive to hosting an-all day event, Cr Firth said.”

He said that while the Festival program was pared-back, there were many highlights scheduled across the two weekends.

“We are working hard to deliver many Festival favourites, including live music, art shows and exhibitions and the perennial family favourite - the Fireworks display.”

Events scheduled to proceed over the First Weekend (Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October), include:

✅ Samaria Rose Farm

✅ Baddaginnie Fire Brigade Open Day

✅ Open Gardens

✅ Rural Road Tours

✅ Devenish Sunday Lunch

✅ Tatong Oktoberfest

✅ Swanpool Cinema Movie Screening.

Events cancelled/postponed on Saturday 29/Sunday 30 October are:

❌Tatong Art Show - Cancelled

❌ Moorngag Mower Mania - Postponed

❌ Game, Set, Match - Cancelled

❌ Goorambat Music Festival and Hot Air Balloon Night Glow - Postponed

❌ Tatong Community Great Big Garage Sale - Cancelled

❌ Benalla Golf Club Festival Tournament – Cancelled.

Events scheduled to proceed on the second weekend (Saturday 5 November and Sunday 6 November) include:

✅ Benalla Park Run Third Anniversary

✅ Devonshire Tea at Goorambat

✅ Room at the Table - Stay and Play

✅ Devenish Silo Art of Honour - Remembrance Day Service

✅ Village Precinct at the Mural

✅ Benalla By the Lake Food and Wine Festival

✅ Aviation Museum exhibition 

✅ Broken River Classic

✅ Benalla Migrant Camp Open Day and Walking Tour

✅ North East Skate Park Series

✅ Kids' Day Out at Benalla Racecourse

✅ Benalla Shorts Film Festival.

Events postponed on Saturday 5 November and Sunday 6 November are:

❌ Benalla Airshow

❌ A Day in the Gardens Market.

Visit the

 for the latest updates.