Carols return to park home

Geelong Carols by Candlelight returns to Johnstone Park on Christmas Eve after a brief move to Kardinia Park.

The concert moved for the first time in 53 years last Christmas due to major redevelopment works in Johnstone Park.

The free yearly concert has been a family favourite since 1965 and draws a crowd of about 4500.

The 54th Geelong Carols by Candlelight will feature a host of talented local performers including the Mik Maks, Shandelle Cooke and many more.

A concert band and some of Geelong’s best artists and choirs will lead the crowd in traditional and contemporary carols from 8pm.

In the lead up to the carols Geelong’s Floating Christmas Tree comes to life, with shows every 15 minutes from 8.30pm to midnight each night.

The sound and light show continues until 7 January, 2019, before the Floating Christmas Tree leaves Corio Bay.

Projections will also light up City Hall from 9pm to midnight until 7 January, while ten Magic Metre Elves will be out and about in central Geelong.

The elves will contribute coins at random to Geelong parking metres and will hand out 18,000 lolly bags and 1000 fruit vouchers before Christmas Eve.

Kids can also find Santa, his elves and reindeer hiding in augmented reality on the Christmas in Central Geelong app.