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Christmas Carols By Candlelight

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Carols By Candlelight - An Australian Tradition

Carols by Candlelight is an Australian tradition that was started in 1938, in Melbourne, by Norman Banks. This event, has now become a truly wonderful way, for friends and families to gather together and celebrate the spirit of Christmas, not only in Australia, but also in many countries around the world. 

Today there are two major events in Australia which are both televised - Carols By Candlelight in Melbourne and Carols In The Domain in Sydney. Carols by Candlelight events are great Christmas family entertainment and all proceeds from these events are donated to charity. In the above photo you can see the crowds gathering in Sydney for a great night of fun and entertainment.  

Photo Courtesy of Flickr by jo3hug

Sylvie Paladino at Carols By Candlelight

You can listen to this lady's magnificent voice this while you browse my lens.
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Carols By Candlelight

Carols By Candlelight was created by Norman Bank, who was a radio announcer in Melbourne.

Walking home after a nightshift on Christmas Eve in 1937, he saw an elderley woman singing Away In A Manger by candlelight, as she listened to the radio. Norman wondered how many other people spent Christmas alone. He had the idea of gathering people together to sing Christmas Carols by candlelight.

The first event was held on Christmas Eve in 1938 at Alexandra Gardens, with 10,000 people attending. After World War 2 the event was moved to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl where it is still held to this day.
This is a family fun event held in a relaxed atmosphere. People bring their blankets and picnics and settle in to enjoy the entertainment. As night falls thousands of people light their candles which can really look quite magical.

Being there in person is the best way to feel the "magical atmosphere" but if that is not possible you can watch it on the Nine Network on Christmas Eve.

Candles by Candlelight donates it's proceeds to Vision Australia

Photo Courtesy of Flickr by Elsie esq



Carols By Candlelight On Video

These videos give you a taste of the wonderful atmosphere as well as hearing some great performers singing carols and traditional christmas songs. Well worth watching to get you in the Christmas Spirit.
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Carols In The Domain

In response to the huge success of Carols By Candlelight in Melbourne, Carols In The Domain was created in Sydney. This event is held on the Saturday before Christmas, in The Domain, a 34 hectares of open space adjoining the Royal Botanic Gardens. People flock to this event to enjoy the fun and festivities for all the family. Entertainment is provided by many of Australias best performing artists and usually ends with a magnificent firework display.

You can watch this event on the Saturday before Christmas on the Seven network.

Sponsored by Woolworths, this event donates to the Salvation Army and the Salvation Army Oasis Youth Support Network.

Photo of the Domain Courtesy of Wikipedia and J Bar


Listen To Your Favorite Christmas Carols

Check out this selection of Christmas carols and songs for you to play at home.
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What's Your Favorite Christmas Carol Or Song?

There are so many wonderful Christmas songs, but some seem to evoke the Christmas Spirit more than others. Which one inspires you the most. Vote for your favorite from the list below or add your own favorite. Don't forget to vote.

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O Holy Night

3 points

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Joy To The World

2 points

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Silent Night

1 point

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White Christmas

1 point

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Oh Come All Ye Faithful

1 point

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O Little Town of Bethlehem

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Hark The Herald Angels Sing

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Winter Wonderland

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The First Noel

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Deck The Halls

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A Christmas Carol - The Movie

What's Christmas with out this movie. But do you know how many versions of it there are? Here are just a few of them for your consideration.
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Carols By Candlelight Blog Posts

Firefighters put out the call
The brigade has two tankers and a four-wheel drive support vehicle, which are used for calls and other activities like school fire safety sessions, Santa runs, community house carols by candlelight, traffic control for the Puffing Billy run, ...
Ballarat Heritage Weekend: turning back the clock
When it came time to remember back, his best childhood memories stemmed from the Sovereign Hill National School and Carols by Candlelight at the sound shell. I remember in the early 1980's, as a student of the Alfredton Primary School, being excited ...
There is no place like home
Smith is a regular performer at Carols by Candlelight concerts in Albury, Melbourne and Sydney. While in the region Smith visited the ABC Goulburn Murray studios with Shandelle Cooke to perform a live version of his song The Green Light.
Come and join the oom-pa-pa band!
The Lismore band features, either marching or sitting, at Anzac Day services, the Lismore Lantern Parade, Beef Week (though not this year), and Carols by Candlelight. "Less experienced players find marching more difficult, because they have to know the ...
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Christmas In Australia

Find out more about an Australian style christmas.
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Carols By Candlelight Guestbook

Do you have a Carols By Candlelight event near you? Love to hear your comments or just say Hi.

Thanks for visiting.

  • Treasures-By-Brenda Apr 20, 2011 @ 2:44 pm | delete
    Sounds lovely!
  • ohcaroline Nov 15, 2010 @ 3:26 pm | delete
    What a wonderful event to be able to participate in. I think it would provide many Christmas memories through the years.
  • jbraithwaite3 Oct 26, 2010 @ 5:46 am | delete
    I really love Christmas carols, for me this is the great music that I want to hear. Especially the "Silent Night", when I am listening in this song I feel God is right at my side and sings to me.
    vocal range | voice lessons
  • shajo Dec 17, 2009 @ 8:11 pm | delete
    What a wonderful tradition and beautiful lens! :)
  • BarbRad Dec 12, 2009 @ 1:58 am | delete
    We have what we call the Vine Street Showcase in Paso Robles CA. It's usually one or two Saturdays before Christmas at night. Several blocks of a street with Victorian Houses are decorated with lights and Christmas scenes. Various choirs, wandering minstrels, bands, storytellers, etc. entertain in front of various houses. The street is closed to vehicle traffic and everyone just comes and walks around. The highlight for many is the house of Scrooge, where Scrooge shouts at the people who gather around his fence his hatred of Christmas. They shout right back at him.
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