O Come All Ye Faithful To Carols By Candlelight

By Sarah Healey on December 3, 2013 in News

All too often the joy and simplicity of the Christmas spirit can be overshadowed by the stress and pressure this time of year bestows upon most of us: the mountain of presents to buy; the number of overcrowded shopping centres to tackle; the stockpile of ham, prawns, cheese platters, fruit cake and champagne crammed in to every last crevice of the fridge.

This year make sure you put your shopping list down for one evening and warm your vocal cords up to impress (or distress) your friends and family at one of the many Christmas carol events happening across the Eastern Suburbs. And if your festive mood is high, why not attend more than one?

Carols in Chiswick Gardens
Kick off carol season when the Queens Street West Woollahra Association hosts Carols in Chiswick Gardens at 65 Ocean Street, Woollahra on Tuesday, December 10 at 5:30pm. Supported by Woollahra Council and local businesses, this event has been running for around 25 years and is a community and family based event. Santa will surprise the little ones and there’ll also be face painting, jumping castles, a barbecue, drinks and coffee cart, and a silent auction of items kindly donated by local businesses. You can also sing along to your favourite carols with the Woollahra Pre-School choir and Holdsworth Rhythm of Life Choir.

Carols By The Sea
Continue your carol hopping by heading down to Bondi Park for Carols By The Sea on Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30pm. Up and coming youth bands Primary Rock Stars and Bondi Wave Showcase will kick things off, followed by a performance from Bondi Public School’s String Ensemble and Choir, which will be accompanied by the School of Academy of Arts’ dance crew. When it comes to the singing this year, three local choirs will come together to belt out a range of Christmas carols and songs that everyone can sing along to. Guests are encouraged to bring their picnic rugs to sit on, and there’ll be a sausage sizzle and glow sticks for sale with all proceeds going to charity. There is also a delivery point for non-perishable food or cash donations for Norman Andrew’s House, which looks after our local homeless population.

Coogee Carols
If you live further south, the famous Coogee Carols, presented by Randwick Council, is on at Goldstein Reserve on Sunday, December 15 from 6:30pm. Locally based celebrities will perform traditional and contemporary carols supported by a twelve-piece band, with a special appearance by Saint Nick as well as a fireworks display. Large screens will be in place to ensure everyone can see the entertainment.

Rose Bay Christmas Carols
If you wish to carol closer to Christmas Day, make sure you attend the Rose Bay Christmas Carols at Pannerong Reserve on Friday, December 20 from 5:30pm. Presented by the Rose Bay Good Neighbour Group and the four local Christian churches, these carols really encourage the community to come together to create a more friendly and vibrant neighbourhood. Bagpipes played by The Scots College students will instigate the entertainment, with performances by the Woollahra Philoharmonic Orchestra, local choirs and a number of soloists. There’ll also be plenty of entertainment provided for the children, along with a free sausage sizzle.

Christmas On The Field
On Sunday, December 22, the inaugural Christmas on the Field will showcase contemporary and classic carols and special items by a team of over twenty talented performers. This spectacular, free concert will be held on the large lawn outside the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club on O’Sullivan Rd, Bellevue Hill from 5pm to 8pm. Bring a picnic rug and dinner if you like, though food and drinks can be purchased at the venue. Kids will not miss out with roving entertainers, a large jumping castle and, of course, a visit from Santa in spectacular style.