Community carols to hit the right note

WARM up the vocal cords and get ready to spread some festive season cheer, with several community carols events to be held across the Surf Coast Shire this December.

Six towns are preparing to host carols in the lead-up to Christmas, welcoming both community members and visitors.

Pastor Louis Glazebrook, from the Surf Coast’s City on a Hill Christian church, is excited to celebrate Christmas with the community at Torquay Carols by the Sea.

The popular event will be held at Elephant Walk on December 16 from 4pm.

“Since its inception more than 20 years ago, the event’s goal has been to unite Christian churches across the Surf Coast in telling the origin story of Christmas, and celebrating it with the Surf Coast community,” Louis said.

“After a pandemic pause, we returned last year to our biggest attendance. More than 5,000 people turned out to hear the music, eat good food and be together.

“This year there will be great food, great music, great company, and we’ll be asking for great weather too.”

Carols events will be held across the coast and hinterland, making the lead-up to Christmas a memorable time for many.

“Christmas often feels special as it is a focused time of family, gifts, rest and fresh starts,” Louis said.”Perhaps this has come from the lyrics of many of the various carols we’ve had since the 13th century.

“We hope that Carols by the Sea feels special, as we seek to tell a timeless story in a timely way, in a beautiful part of the world we get to call home.”

Details of all of the community carols can be found at Surf Coast Events (surfcoastevents.com.au).

People will be invited to sing various festive favourites at:

• Winchelsea’s Carols by the Barwon – December 9
• Aireys Inlet Community Carols – December 10
• Torquay Carols by the Sea – December 16
• Carols on the Lorne – December 16
• Deans Marsh Twilight Carols – December 17
• Anglesea Carols by Candlelight – December 22

To stay up-to-date with local events this spring and summer, follow

@SurfCoastEvents on social media or save the Surf Coast Events website to your favourites.

While you’re there, subscribe to the newsletter to have event news delivered straight to your inbox so you don’t miss the action — from markets, concerts and major sporting events, to community runs and swims that raise funds for Surf Life Saving Clubs to help keep local beaches safe. Torquay Carols by the Sea is just one of several Christmas events across the Surf Coast.