Carols by Candlelight

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Carols by candlelight is a Christmas tradition. This tradition was started in the 19th century in the southeastern Australia. It became very popular in the year 1930 in Melbourne. After that, this tradition has captured almost all the parts of the world and happens on a very large scale.

As the name suggests, this is the time when a huge amount of people come together and sing Christmas carols in a park or any outdoor locations with candles in their hands. This is always accompanied by a choir and a band. The largest event is held at Melbourne at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl which is at Kings Domain Gardens. This event takes place on the Christmas Eve i.e. on 24th December every year for the last 71 years. The first event took place in 1938.

How did Carols by Candlelight start?

This is a very old legacy which began in the 19th century in South Australia. Initially, the people would stick candles on the brim of the hats, solely for safety purpose and sing carols on the Eve of Christmas. This act was done in Moonta by the Cornish Miners. Norman Banks was responsible for spreading this tradition on Melbourne and Victoria in the year 1938.Norman Banks worked as a Radio jockey (RJ) in Melbourne. The name of this station where he worked was 3KZ. This idea came to his mind in the year 1937 when he was walking home alone on the Christmas Eve. He always spent Christmas nights alone and so decided to gather people on Christmas eve for singing carols by candlelight.

After a few years the World War II broke down and the carols became a symbol of patriotism. This was the time when many people would come out on the streets and sing various carols. Many a times, this turned out to be a chaotic situation and a lot of nonsense was caused on the streets. It was decided then that all this will take place in the Kings' domain. The Sydney Myer Music Bowl was constructed in the year 1959 and then all these processions were held there till date.

Carols by Candlelight today: -

There are many events that are held today in Australia. These are generally arranged in the community groups, churches and municipal councils. They are arranged outdoors because a lot of people come and gather and have fun on the Christmas Eve and sing songs. The maximum of such events happen in Sydney.

In and around Australia: - This has become a very huge event. There are many performers which come together and conduct events on Christmas Eve and have fun by singing famous carols and songs. It is a no ticket event and involves a lot of high profile performers.

In Perth, such events are held in the Supreme Courts garden in the month of December.
In Brisbane, these events are held on the first Saturday of December. This activity takes place in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.
Other events take place in Rockingham, Scarborough and Fremantle.
Carols by Candlelight are held in the mid of December in New Castle, New South Wales. This event is held at Speers Point Park and at King Edward Park.

Victoria: -

A large amount of public turns up at Ruffey lake Park in Manning ham City
In the Yarra City, a lot of carols by candlelight events are held in Abbotsford Gardens
Many people gather to sing the carols in Geelong at the Johnston Park.

Carols by Candlelight is an age old Australian tradition which is now loved by most of the people across the world. This is a tradition which brings out the true Christmas spirit and is loved from children to adults. This is the time when the whole city looks lighted up because every individual has a candle in their hands. This is one of the best ways to celebrate the Christmas Eve!