Carols by Candlelight
| Company type | Charity event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Charity |
| Founded | 1938 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Founder | Norman Banks |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia, eastern Asia, Pacific Islands, New Zealand |
Key people | Douglas Heywood (Choral Director since 1988), John Foreman (Musical Director since 2003) |
| Products | Annual Christmas carol events and broadcasts |
| Owner | Vision Australia |
| Website | www |
Carols by Candlelight is a long-standing Australian Christmas custom that gained prominence in Melbourne in 1938. This event features outdoor congregations where attendees sing carols illuminated by candlelight, accompanied by live performances from both domestic and international artists alongside a symphony orchestra.
Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight
The Carols by Candlelight event organized by Vision Australia holds the distinction of being the oldest of its type in the nation.
History
The tradition was initiated in 1938 by Melbourne radio personality Norman Banks from station 3KZ, after he witnessed an elderly woman singing carols by candlelight on Christmas Eve 1937. The inaugural gathering took place at Alexandra Gardens and drew around 10,000 people.
Following World War II, the event expanded and was moved first to Kings Domain, then in 1959 settled at the newly constructed Sidney Myer Music Bowl, which remains its home venue. Revenue generated through donations, ticket sales, and candle purchases supports Vision Australia (previously known as the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind). Initially, funds were directed to the Austin Hospital, with wartime contributions also aiding the Red Cross and Australian Comforts Fund.
Since January 2023, audiences have been able to attend a dress rehearsal held on 23 December with tickets offered at a reduced price; these sales also contribute to Vision Australia's funding. This rehearsal event has grown to nearly rival the popularity of the main celebration.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the first-ever audience-free edition in 2020 since the event's inception. In 2021, in-person attendance resumed with a cap of 10,000 guests, all required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Hosts and broadcast
Conceived by Melbourne sports announcer Norman Banks, the initial broadcasts were transmitted live via radio station 3KZ. The 1956 Carols marked the first television airing during test transmissions for GTV9, while radio coverage continued through 3KZ.
After Banks departed from 3KZ in 1952, hosting duties were assumed by Philip Gibbs. Under Gibbs’s stewardship, the program evolved into a simulcast on both radio (3KZ) and television (ATV-0), later expanding across the 0-10 Network (now known as Network Ten). Starting in 1979, national television broadcasts transferred to the Nine Network. Radio partnerships have included stations such as 3MP, 3AW, 3EE, the Macquarie Radio Network, and Vision Australia's own national radio network. Among notable hosts, television personality Ray Martin led for eighteen years. The event is also broadcast live across eastern Asia, Pacific Islands, and New Zealand.
| Years | Hosts | Broadcaster | Television |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938–1951 | Norman Banks | 3KZ | GTV-9 (1956) |
| 1952–1968 | Philip Gibbs | ||
| 1969–1971 | Network Ten | ||
| 1979–1987 | Brian Naylor | 3AW | Nine Network |
| 1988–2007 | Ray Martin | ||
| 1999 | Glenn Ridge and Jennifer Keyte | ||
| 2008–2012 | Lisa Wilkinson and Karl Stefanovic | ||
| 2013–2016 | Lisa Wilkinson and David Campbell | ||
| 2017–2018 | Sonia Kruger and David Campbell | ||
| 2019 | Allison Langdon and David Campbell | ||
| 2020 | Livinia Nixon and Eddie McGuire | ||
| 2021 | Allison Langdon and David Campbell | ||
| 2022 | Brooke Boney and David Campbell | ||
| 2023 | Sarah Abo and David Campbell | ||
| 2024 | Sarah Abo[lower-alpha 1] |
| Host | Broadcast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–99 | 2000–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | |||||||
| Ray Martin | colspan=20 Template:Yes2 colspan=17 style="background: #EEE; color:black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-cast"| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lisa Wilkinson | colspan=9 Template:Yes2 colspan=8 style="background: #EEE; color:black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-cast"| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Karl Stefanovic | colspan=5 Template:Yes2 colspan=12 style="background: #EEE; color:black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-cast"| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Campbell | colspan=7 Template:Yes2 colspan=1 style="background: #EEE; color:black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-cast"| colspan=3 Template:Yes2 colspan=1 style="background: #EEE; color:black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-cast"|[lower-alpha 1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sonia Kruger | colspan=2 Template:Yes2 colspan=6 style="background: #EEE; color:black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-cast"| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performers
The lineup of performers changes each year, with frequent appearances by artists such as David Hobson, Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino, Denis Walter, and Anthony Callea. From 1999 through 2019, the Australian children's group Hi-5 was the headline act for the children's segments. Recent editions have showcased talents from the Nine Network and participants from The Voice Australia spanning 2012 to 2020.
Additional supporting ensembles include Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight Choir, the Australian Girls Choir, and the National Boys Choir of Australia. Since 1988, Douglas Heywood has been the Choral Director, succeeding earlier directors such as Horace Stevens and Max Balderson.
Geoff Harvey served as musical director from 1984 until 2002, after which John Foreman took over in 2003. The program initially emphasized classical and sacred music but gradually embraced popular culture starting in the 1960s. Previously, winners of the annual Sun Aria competition were assured a performance opportunity.
Ray Martin holds the record for hosting the most editions (1988–2007) and made a guest appearance in 1996 performing Harry Connick Jr.'s "When My Heart Finds Christmas."
Other carols events
Across Australia, numerous night-time carols celebrations take place in the lead-up to Christmas.
Sydney
Since 1983, Carols in the Domain has been held annually on the last Sunday before Christmas Eve and is broadcast both nationally and internationally.
Brisbane
The event known as Carols in the City is hosted at Riverstage within Brisbane Botanic Gardens and is televised throughout Queensland.
Perth
Perth's Carols by Candlelight occurs in mid-December at Supreme Court Gardens, with supplementary events held in Fremantle, Scarborough, and Rockingham. Notably, Suzie Mathers performed at Perth’s IGA Carols by Candlelight in 2012.
Adelaide
In Adelaide, Carols by Candlelight take place during the weeks leading up to Christmas at Elder Park beside the River Torrens, drawing an audience of approximately 30,000 in 2012. Additionally, the Civic Park Carols held in Modbury attracts around 40,000 attendees, ranking it as Australia's second largest community carols event as of 2018.
Hobart
Hobart features three primary carols services spread across the city in Clarence, Glenorchy, and its principal event at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens organized by Variety - the Children's Charity of Tasmania.
Canberra
The annual Carols by Candlelight in Canberra is hosted at Commonwealth Park on Stage 88 and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2019. It stands as the second longest-running capital city carols event and includes participation from community groups such as Woden Valley Youth Choir and local bands. Typically featuring local guest artists, proceeds support regional charities—for instance, $14,180 was raised in 2012 for the Snowy Hydro Southcare Helicopter service. Since 2011, Auslan interpreters have been available to assist members of the deaf community.
Darwin
Darwin’s Carols by Candlelight is an annual occasion held at George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens that also functions as a fundraising event for charity.
Around Victoria
- Since 2011, Carols in the Park has been held at Macleay Park in North Balwyn, drawing an audience of 10,000 in 2012.
- Each year, the City of Stonnington organizes Carols at Como Park, located in South Yarra.
- Denis Walter hosts a no-cost event called Carols by the Bay every December at Eastern Beach in Geelong.
- For over 25 years, the City of Monash has presented a major Carols by Candlelight gathering at Jells Park, with attendance reaching up to 25,000, and Pete Smith serving as the master of ceremonies.
- The City of Yarra conducts a prominent carol event within the gardens of Abbotsford Convent.
- Ruffey Lake Park is the site of the annual Carols celebration arranged by the City of Manningham.
- In Werribee, each December, the City of Wyndham hosts Carols on the lawns surrounding the historic Werribee Park Mansion.
Other
- Mid-December sees Carols by Candlelight take place at King Edward Park near the beach in Newcastle, New South Wales.
- The City of Lake Macquarie holds its yearly carol event at Speers Point Park beside Lake Macquarie during mid-December.
- Early December features Carols by Candlelight at Traeger Park Oval in Alice Springs.
See also
External links
- Official Vision Australia website
- Origins of Carols by Candlelight (Includes details about Norman Banks)
- Coverage of council disputes over Carols by Candlelight on ABC News Australia
- Website for Woden Valley Youth Choir
- The Candlelight Carolers – professional ensemble specializing in classic Christmas carols
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