Christmas is saved as Carols by Candlelight virtually back on the advent calendar

While there were fears Adelaide’s much-loved Carols by Candlelight would be claimed by the pandemic, it will survive this year in virtual form.

While it looked like it might be a silent night, it’s now joy to the world with the news that Adelaide’s Carols by Candlelight will go ahead this month.

The Sunday Mail can exclusively reveal the much-loved Christmas event, traditionally held in Elder Park raising vital funds for Novita, will be reinvented as a virtual celebration with stars beaming in from across Australia to be broadcast on Sunday, December 13.

There’ll be a star-studded list of performers including Dami Im, Troy Cassar-Daley, Isaiah Firebrace, Annie Jones and Amber Lawrence to headline the one-hour special, which will also be screened at four Adelaide pop-up locations.

Adelaide Town Hall, Odeon Star Semaphore, Wallis Cinema’s Mainline Drive In and Piccadilly Cinemas have donated their venues to give carols lovers an interactive experience - and Santa will drop in throughout the night.

Novita staff will be at each venue on the night, and carollers are encouraged to make a folded note donation.

Carols hosts Rosanna Mangiarelli, Mark “Soda” Soderstrom and Amelia Mulcahy at Adelaide Town Hall – one of the pop-up locations. Mangiarelli and Mulcahy are dressed by Carla Zampatti, while Soda is wearing a custom-made tux by Knightsman Bespoke Tailors. Picture: Sarah Reed

7NEWS presenters Rosanna Mangiarelli, Mark “Soda” Soderstrom and Amelia Mulcahy will again host the pre-recorded one-hour package, where the artists will give audiences a glimpse into their homes as they perform from spaces such as their own studios.

Mangiarelli, who is also a Novita Ambassador, said it was wonderful this great South Australian tradition could go ahead.

“We’ve all had to make adjustments in this crazy year,” she said. “It’s so heartening that this event supporting the children and families of Novita is able to happen. It’s obviously going to look very different, as does everything else.

“The concept of the pop-up locations is a fantastic idea. I love that the Drive-in is available so families can sit in the cars, still hold their candles high and enjoy the magic of Christmas that Carols has brought to Adelaide for so many years.

“That magic can also be recreated in own your lounge room – so tune in, put on a Santa hat, grab some tinsel and sing along with some of the countries best artists.”

Free seats for those who attend will be allocated, adhering to COVID-safe guidelines. Adelaide Town Hall will have an Eventbrite link going live next week where people can reserve their seats.

Those who want to attend the other three pop-up venues will need to email [e-mail] with their venue choice and number of tickets required.

Young Guy and Porsha love singing Carols. Guy’s favourite is Jingle Bells, while Porsha has been belting out Feliz Navidad at kindy.

“She’s only allowed to have two-minute toilet breaks at kindy now because otherwise she spends too long singing songs while looking in the mirror,” mum Krystal said.

Sealink Travel Group Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 13, Streaming, 7Plus

Adelaide Town Hall, 6.30pm; Mainline Drive In, 8.40pm; Piccadilly and Odeon, 7pm.