Jessie Taylor
Carols by Candlelight is an annual Australian Christmas tradition that was popularised in Melbourne in 1938. The tradition has spread around the world, with events held in Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, and Hobart, among other places. The event involves people gathering outdoors, usually in a park, to sing carols by candlelight, with live performances by celebrities and orchestras. While it is unclear whether the candles are real, the event's name and theme suggest that candlelight plays a central role in creating a festive and solemn atmosphere for the carolling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Australia |
| Cities | Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Geelong, Canberra, Darwin, North Balwyn, South Yarra, Monash, Yarra, Manningham |
| Venues | Sidney Myer Music Bowl, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Supreme Court Gardens, Elder Park, Civic Park, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Commonwealth Park, Stage 88, Como Park, Eastern Beach, Jells Park, Abbotsford Convent Gardens, Ruffey Lake Park |
| Date | December, usually on Christmas Eve (December 24) |
| Time | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm |
| Rehearsal | Held a day before the event at 4:00 pm |
| Tickets | Available through Ticketek via website or phone |
| Seating | Stalls and lawn area |
| Food and Merchandise | Cashless transactions |
| Attire | Comfortable clothing suitable for the weather conditions |
| Broadcast | Televised and telecast live in eastern Asia, Pacific Islands, and New Zealand |
| Radio | Vision Australia Radio |
| Host | Ray Martin (most frequent), Philip Gibbs, Norman Banks |
| Performers | National and international celebrities, Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight Choir, Australian Girls Choir, National Boys Choir of Australia |
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What You'll Learn
The history of Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight is an annual Australian Christmas tradition that was popularised in Melbourne in 1938. The event involves people gathering outdoors, usually in a park, to sing carols by candlelight. The event also features live performances by national and international celebrities, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. The tradition has spread worldwide, with Carols by Candlelight events now held in various cities and towns across Australia and beyond.
The concept of Carols by Candlelight was conceived by Norman Banks, a radio announcer for Melbourne radio station 3KZ. On Christmas Eve in 1937, Banks noticed an elderly woman sitting by her window, singing along to 'Away in a Manger' on the radio, her face illuminated by a candle. He wondered how many others spent Christmas alone and decided to organise a community gathering for people to sing carols together by candlelight.
The first Carols by Candlelight event was held on 24 December 1938, in Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne. Approximately 10,000 people attended, and the event was an instant success, becoming a new Christmas tradition. Candles and programs were sold to raise money for the Austin Hospital. The event featured performances by soprano Molly Hislop, conductor Horace Stevens, and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Band.
Due to its growing popularity, Carols by Candlelight moved to a larger venue, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, in 1959. The event has been held there for over 60 years and has attracted some of Australia's biggest names in entertainment, including Gladys Moncrieff, Madame Florence Austral, James Morrison, and John Farnham. The event was first televised in 1956 and has been broadcast nationally and internationally through television and radio networks.
Today, Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight is the oldest and one of the most prominent Carols by Candlelight events in Australia. It has been held for over eight decades and has raised significant funds for charities supporting children and families with vision impairment. The event continues to be a beloved annual tradition, attracting thousands of attendees and featuring performances by renowned artists.
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Locations of Carols by Candlelight events
Carols by Candlelight is a Christmas event held in several locations across Australia. The original and oldest Carols by Candlelight event takes place in Melbourne, Victoria, where it was introduced by radio announcer Norman Banks in 1938. This event is hosted in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, located in the gardens of King's Domain Park, close to Linlithgow Avenue in the City of Melbourne.
In Perth, Carols by Candlelight is held in mid-December at the Supreme Court Gardens, with other events taking place in Fremantle, Scarborough, and Rockingham. Adelaide's Carols by Candlelight is held in the weeks before Christmas in Elder Park on the banks of the River Torrens. The suburb of Modbury also hosts the annual Civic Park Carols, attracting a large crowd of around 40,000 people.
Hobart has three main carols services located in Clarence, Glenorchy, and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Canberra's annual event is held in Commonwealth Park on Stage 88.
The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens host Carols by Candlelight annually, raising money for charity. Other locations in Australia with notable events include North Balwyn, South Yarra, Geelong, Monash, Yarra, and Manningham.
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Attendance and popularity
Carols by Candlelight is an annual Australian Christmas tradition that was introduced in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1938 by radio announcer Norman Banks. The event was inspired by Banks' encounter with an elderly woman singing 'Away in a Manger' alone by candlelight on Christmas Eve in 1937. Wondering how many others spent Christmas alone, he decided to gather a large group of people to sing Christmas carols together by candlelight. The first Carols by Candlelight event was held in Alexandra Gardens and attracted a crowd of around 10,000 people.
Over the years, the popularity of Carols by Candlelight has grown significantly. Following World War II, the event became so well-patronised that it had to be moved to a larger venue in Kings Domain. In 1959, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl became the permanent venue for the Melbourne event, and it has been held there for more than 60 years. The event now attracts a crowd of about 10,000 people each year, with many more watching from home on television.
Carols by Candlelight events are held in various cities and towns across Australia, each with its own unique setting and attendance figures. For example, the Carols by Candlelight event in Adelaide's Elder Park drew a crowd of 30,000 people in 2012. The Civic Park Carols in Modbury, a suburb of Adelaide, attracted about 40,000 people in 2018, making it the second-biggest community event of its kind in Australia.
The Carols by Candlelight event in Canberra's Commonwealth Park is another notable example, having been held annually since 1944, making it the second-longest-running Carols event in a capital city. This event features community singing led by the Woden Valley Youth Choir and local bands. Other cities that host significant Carols by Candlelight events include Geelong, North Balwyn, South Yarra, and various locations in Melbourne, such as Jells Park, Abbotsford Convent gardens, and Ruffey Lake Park.
The popularity of Carols by Candlelight has also spread beyond Australia, with similar events now taking place in other parts of the world. While the specific attendance figures for these international events are not readily available, the global reach of this tradition underscores its widespread appeal.
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Broadcasting and media coverage
Carols by Candlelight is an annual Australian Christmas tradition that was popularised in Melbourne in 1938. The tradition has since spread around the world. The event is broadcast and telecast live not only in Australia but also in eastern Asia, many Pacific Islands, and New Zealand.
Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight, held in Melbourne, Victoria, is the oldest Carols by Candlelight event in Australia. It was introduced in 1938 by Melbourne radio announcer Norman Banks, of radio station 3KZ. The event is held annually on December 24 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the gardens of King's Domain Park. The event is broadcast live on Channel 9 and 9Now from 8:00 pm local time on December 24, with two replays on Christmas Day: 1 pm on Channel 9 and 7 pm on 9Gem. A number of radio stations simulcast the event on Christmas Eve, including Vision Australia Radio, which also streams the event online with professional audio description.
In addition to Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight, there are many other Carols by Candlelight events held across Australia in cities such as Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra. These events are also televised in Australia and sometimes in other countries. For example, Carols in the City is held in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and televised throughout Queensland.
The broadcasting and media coverage of Carols by Candlelight events in Australia have contributed to their popularity and reach, allowing people from all over the world to experience the magic and joy of this Christmas tradition.
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Planning and preparation
Choosing a Location:
Select a suitable outdoor venue, preferably a park or a garden, that can accommodate a large gathering. Some popular locations across Australia include the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Supreme Court Gardens in Perth, Elder Park in Adelaide, and Commonwealth Park in Canberra. Consider the expected crowd size and choose a location that offers ample space for attendees to gather and sit comfortably.
Timing and Scheduling:
Traditionally, Carols by Candlelight events are held in the weeks leading up to Christmas, with some specifically taking place on Christmas Eve (December 24). When planning, consider the time of day that best suits your audience, keeping in mind that the event is held outdoors and lighting conditions will impact visibility for performers and attendees. A rehearsal night before the main event is also a good idea to ensure smooth performances.
Ticketing and Seating Arrangements:
Determine whether your event will be free or ticketed. If ticketed, choose a ticketing platform and set ticket prices accordingly. Consider the seating options, such as tiered stalls seating or a lawn area, ensuring that there is enough seating for all expected attendees. Encourage early ticket purchases to manage expectations and avoid disappointment.
Production and Technical Aspects:
Plan the technical requirements, including sound equipment, lighting, and any special effects that may enhance the performance. Ensure that power sources and technical support are readily available. Consider live-streaming the event to reach a wider audience, including those who may be unable to attend in person.
Performer Lineup and Repertoire:
Curate a diverse lineup of performers, including local and international celebrities, choirs, orchestras, and special guests. Solicit expressions of interest from performers and finalise the program well in advance to allow adequate rehearsal time. Encourage a mix of traditional carols and popular culture influences to appeal to a diverse audience.
Logistics and Attendee Experience:
Think about the overall attendee experience, including comfort, accessibility, and convenience. Encourage attendees to dress appropriately for the weather and provide guidance on suitable clothing. Ensure that food and beverage options are available, and clearly communicate accepted payment methods. Provide clear directions to the venue and consider any transportation or parking requirements for attendees.
By following these planning and preparation steps, your Carols by Candlelight event is well on its way to becoming a memorable and enjoyable experience for all involved.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the candles are real at Carols by Candlelight. The event originated in Australia and has since spread worldwide, with participants gathering outdoors, usually in a park, to sing carols by candlelight.
Carols by Candlelight was popularised in Melbourne, Australia, in 1938 by radio announcer Norman Banks. The tradition was inspired by Banks' encounter with an elderly woman singing along to "Away in a Manger" on the radio on Christmas Eve in 1937.
Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight is held annually on Christmas Eve (December 24) at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the gardens of King's Domain Park, Melbourne.
Yes, there are several Carols by Candlelight events held across Australia, including in Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, Geelong, and various cities in Victoria, such as North Balwyn, South Yarra, and Monash. These events are often held in parks or gardens and usually take place in mid-December or the weeks before Christmas.
