Top 10 Street Art Competitions & Festivals

From live illustration battles to the world's biggest mural festivals—these are the essential open calls for urban artists.

Unlike traditional fine art, the "competition" in street art often happens live. It is a performative medium, and the biggest accolades come from winning live battles or being selected for prestigious festival walls via open calls.

Winning these events provides more than just prize money; it grants you entry into the global "circuit" of traveling artists who are paid to paint cities around the world.

1. Secret Walls (visit site)

The "Fight Club" of street art. Founded in London and now a global phenomenon, this is the world's premier live art battle.

  • Format: 90 minutes. Black paint only. No sketches allowed. The crowd judges the winner by cheering volume (decibels).
  • Why enter: It is the fastest way to prove your technical skill and gain a massive fan following. Winners often land commercial sponsorships with brands like Vans or Posca.

2. The Stencil Art Prize (visit site)

Based in Australia, this is the world's largest competition specifically for stencil artists. It bridges the gap between the street and the gallery.

  • Focus: Stencil art on canvas/board/found objects.
  • Why enter: It carries a $10,000 cash prize and a touring exhibition that showcases the intricacy of the medium to serious collectors.

3. Street Art Cities Awards (visit site)

Street Art Cities is the biggest global platform for documenting urban art. Their annual "Best Mural of the Year" award is voted on by millions of fans worldwide.

  • Focus: Completed large-scale murals.
  • Why enter: While nomination based, ensuring your work is mapped on their app is the first step. Winning confers the title of "Best Muralist" in the eyes of the public.

4. Upfest (visit site)

Held in Bristol, UK (the home of Banksy), this is Europe's largest street art and graffiti festival. Unlike curated festivals, it allocates hundreds of spots via artist registration.

  • Focus: Live painting, Graffiti, Murals.
  • Why enter: Painting at Upfest puts you in front of 50,000 visitors and connects you with gallery owners who scout the event for new talent.

5. Meeting of Styles (visit site)

The heritage track. Meeting of Styles (MOS) is a legendary network of graffiti jams that takes place in over 30 countries annually.

  • Focus: Traditional Graffiti, Characters, and Style Writing.
  • Why enter: It is the best way to earn "respect" in the core graffiti community and network with writers from different continents.

6. Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans (visit site)

Run by the PangeaSeed Foundation, this is an "ARTivism" program. They issue open calls for artists to paint murals that raise awareness about ocean conservation.

  • Focus: Environmentally conscious muralism.
  • Why enter: It offers the chance to travel to incredible locations (like Cozumel, Bali, or San Diego) and use your art for a tangible cause.

7. Worldwide Walls (formerly POW! WOW!) (visit site)

Originating in Hawaii, this is perhaps the most famous mural festival brand in the world. They have chapters globally, from Long Beach to Tokyo.

  • Focus: Large scale murals and installation.
  • Why enter: Being selected for a "Walls" roster is a stamp of approval that instantly elevates an artist's commercial fee.

8. Step in the Arena (visit site)

Held in the "Berenkuil" (Bear Pit) in Eindhoven, Netherlands, this is one of the purest graffiti festivals in the world.

  • Focus: Old school graffiti and semi-wildstyle.
  • Why enter: It is a "Jam" in the truest sense—intense energy, hundreds of artists, and a focus on skill over concept.

9. MURAL Festival (visit site)

Montreal's MURAL is a giant 11-day celebration that closes down the city's main boulevard. It sits at the intersection of high art and street culture.

  • Focus: Contemporary urban art.
  • Why enter: High production values, cherry-pickers (lifts), and massive media coverage make this a career highlight for anyone selected.

10. Peinture Fraîche Festival (visit site)

Based in Lyon, France, this festival is unique for its focus on the intersection of street art and technology (Augmented Reality, Live Mapping).

  • Focus: Digital Street Art, AR, Graffiti.
  • Why enter: If your work involves digital elements or animation, this is the leading stage in Europe to showcase it.
Pro Tip for Street Artists:
Video is your portfolio. Since street art is performative, static images aren't enough. When applying to festivals or battles like Secret Walls, submit a high-speed time-lapse of you painting a piece from start to finish. Organizers need to know you can execute high-quality work fast and under pressure.

The street art world rewards visibility. Whether it's a 90-minute battle or a 3-story wall, securing your spot at these events is the key to going global.