Candles to be lit in Johnstone Park after three-year absence

AFTER two years of virtual Carols by Candlelight, YMCA Geelong is ready to rock the night away at Johnstone Park tomorrow (Saturday, December 24) for the first time since 2019.

Event organisers are expecting more than 3,000 residents and visitors to make their way to Geelong’s CBD for the 59th annual Carols by Candlelight Geelong this Christmas Eve.

“Carols by Candlelight Geelong is a tradition that goes beyond decimal currency creation, Cyclone Tracey, the redevelopment of the Geelong Waterfront and the opening of Avalon Airport, so it is here to stay as a community event showcasing some of Geelong’s finest talent,” CEO of YMCA Geelong Shona Eland said.

“Christmas can be a time of great joy, but for many it can also bring great sadness.

“With the spirit of Christmas we hope that this event contributes towards bringing communities together to support those in need.

“Carols by Candlelight Geelong 2022 is an event that has been organised by young people with the aim of supporting Geelong’s youth.”

This year’s event features Christmas market stalls from 3pm to 7pm and food an drink trucks.

City Councillor Eddy Kontelj said Carols by Candlelight acts as the pinnacle of Geelong’s Christmas holiday events, culminating in a large performance by entertainers of all ages from Geelong.

“As everyone knows the event has been going for 59 years, so for many of us, we remember it from our childhood and our teens,” Cr Kontelj said.

“It’s also right on the eve of Christmas so we’re all excited to get the community together and the weather looks very promising as well.

“It should serve us as a great entrée leading into Christmas Day.”

The event’s artistic director Gayle Burrill said those in attendance should look forward to an entertaining traditional-style carols, with the inclusion of a resident band featuring an assortment of talented artists.

“The band will be playing and backing every artist on stage, which is a bit different to what we usually do, but we’ve also got buskers who will be busking throughout Johnstone Park as part of the pre-show as well,” Ms Burrill said.

“We finish the whole day with the concert which begins at 8.00pm and concludes at around 10.00pm.

“It’s important for some of our younger performers to be a part of this event, I was a part of this event in my teens, and I thought it was important to me as an artist.

“It’s great for Geelong as well, we hope it gives Geelong the lift it needs after a tough two years of COVID-19.”

Carols by Candlelight Geelong is presented thanks to a partnership between YMCA Geelong, the City of Greater Geelong and Geelong Connected Communities.

Entrance to the event is free. All the money raised on the day will go towards supporting youth programs at YMCA Geelong.