Palmerston North is becoming more colourful as blank walls are transformed with murals.

When a mural artist looks at a blank wall, what they see is a bricks-and-mortar canvas of possibilities.

And when you see colour and expression as a vital part of a city, then you start to see the walls of Palmerston North in a new way. They embody potential.

"They tell a story of who we are at a particular time," says Palmerston North City Council planner Keegan Aplin-Thane. "Street art can act as a breadcrumb trail of what the city's values and places pride in." The word art is at the centre of this public display of creativity on a grand scale. Gone are the days, says artist Gembol Farrell, where people would look suspiciously sideways at people brandishing spray-paint cans at a white wall.

In the streets surrounding The Square, you'll find a great collection of public sculptures and an extensive variety of street art and murals from local, national and global artists that are perfect for Instagram posts. Art lovers will also enjoy browsing the excellent galleries around The Square, which showcase contemporary art from New Zealand. In inner-city areas like Berrymans Lane, street art wall murals capture the spirit of the city.

Catching a show is definitely one of the fun things to do in Palmerston North. There's a great selection of local and touring comedy, music, dance, musicals and drama shows to choose from. Be sure to check what's on at the beautifully restored Regent on Broadway, Centrepoint Theatre, The Dark Room and The Globe Theatre.