It’s an exciting time of year for Geelong, with five free carols events open to the community to get people into the Christmas spirit.
Carols by Candlelight Geelong will celebrate its 61st year on December 23 at Johnstone Park, with more than 5000 people expected to attend the iconic Christmas event from 4.30pm to 9.30pm.
Carols community engagement officer Alisha Nurnaitis said the event was “shaping up well” and that people could expect a few changes to this year’s event.
“We have a pre-show that will start at 6.15pm and we will see Karen Feldman’s dance studio as well as our first annual Christmas catwalk during that time,” she said.
“We are encouraging people to dress up in their craziest Christmas outfits, and then we’re going to be inviting 10 people up on stage who have the coolest Christmas outfits to walk in a parade.
“This year we are going to be enforcing that the first four to five meters in front of the stage will be picnic rugs and low-lying seats only, just so that people behind that can see.”
Lara Carols will return to Pirra Homestead on Saturday, December 14, for the first time since 2019, with a pre-program featuring local artists from 6.30pm before the main carols event begins at 8pm.
Holy Trinity Lara with Christ Church Little River will host the event, and Reverend Roxanne Addley said she was “pretty excited” to have the carols back in Lara after four years.
“It’s really designed for families to come along to have some family-oriented activities and to get to know whoever they sit next to on the picnic blanket,” she said.
“We’re looking forward to families coming to enjoy family time, connection with other people in the community and to get to know the original Christmas story of Jesus.”
St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church Grovedale will host its Seniors Christmas Carols and Service at 2pm on Friday, December 13, with an afternoon tea available afterwards.
“To come to church during the Christmas period could be a very significant thing to do, particularly for people who may be in residential care,” Father Howard Parkinson said.
“You don’t have to be elderly or a residential person to come along as it’s carols and… it’s nice to have these moments where you can just sit and allow these things to wash over you.”
The Good Neighbourhood Project’s annual Northern Carols will be held at 228-236 Purnell Road in Corio from 5pm on Sunday, December 15, featuring food, kids’ activities, and carols.
“It’s a great time to bring everyone together in the neighbourhood to celebrate the end of the year and Christmas,” project coordinator Hannah Reeves said.
“I really love how it brings people together. It’s always a great time for families and friends to come together to build relationships and connect with everyone, which is always a really lovely time.”
St John’s Anglican Church Highton will also host its Highton Carols in the Park at Highton Reserve at 6.30pm on Sunday.
