The familiar tunes of Jingle Bells and Silent Night may be heard along Bridge Street, Benalla as the town embraces the festive season with free busking this December.
The Christmas Busking Program offers talented and aspiring artists the opportunity to perform for the community – for free with Council waiving the usual $64 general permit fee in December. Council is also offering to cover public liability insurance costs for entertainers taking part in the Christmas Busking Program.
Council has allocated 10 locations in Bridge Street Benalla for free busking performances, each marked with a festive Busking Base pavement decal.
These are:
- 1GO TAFE Corner
- 2CVGT Pergola
- 3BRRR Real Estate
- 4Millers Corner
- 5Hollywoods Café
- 6Hides Bakery
- 7Zeus Coffee Co
Each location must only have one busker (or group) perform at a time, for a maximum of two hours between 9am and 6pm, seven days a week throughout December. Buskers are encouraged to then move to a different location upon completion of their performance.
"We welcome all varieties of buskers and street performers to perform, making our central business district come alive with Christmas music and entertainment"," said Cr Danny Claridge Mayor of Benalla Rural City.
Types of busking acts welcomed include musical performances, conventional, cultural or self-constructed performances, the performing of a song, dance routine, mime act, clowning, juggling, puppetry, comedy, recital, magic or a living statue act.
All buskers are required to register for a free permit via the QR code on the Buskers Base posters or via the Council website and must agree with the conditions of the permit.
To apply for a free busking permit please visit www.benalla.vic.gov.au/busking
