Safety concerns see Darwin Carols by Candlelight relocated at eleventh hour

Darwin's beloved Carols by Candlelight has been moved indoors less than a week before the event due to ‘safety fears’ about ‘weakened trees’. Read the details.

Darwin's beloved Carols by Candlelight has been forced to move indoors less than a week before the event due to safety fears about weakened trees. Picture: Thomas McLean

Darwin’s beloved Carols by Candlelight has been shifted indoors less than a week before the event due to apparent safety fears about weakened trees.

Organisers announced on Tuesday the event would not proceed at the George Brown Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre, citing “event timelines and patron safety concerns following Cyclone Fina”.

However, the NT News understands the Amphitheatre and Gardens generally have been assessed and declared safe by authorities, with the Gardens open to visitors.

The announcement comes less than a week out from the event, initially planned to be held at the Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue the City of Darwin website says hosts more than 7000 people.

The popular event will now be held at the Darwin Convention Centre, an indoor venue that hosts a max capacity of about 3000 - it remains unclear what the capacity will be for the event.

Despite only a handful of trees being downed at the Amphitheatre grounds and the venue appearing completely clear of any debris when visited by the NT News on Monday, organisers say that isn’t the concern: the concern, they say, is that the trees which are still standing may have been weakened by Fina and could fall on patrons.

It is understood the NT Government offered its full support to further assess and block off any trees of concern to ensure the event could go ahead at the Ampitheatre, but the offer was declined.

Darwin's beloved Carols by Candlelight has been forced to move indoors less than a week before the event due to safety fears about weakened trees. Picture: Thomas McLean

Organisers said on Facebook they would still “rock your socks off” this year despite the change of venue.

“Join in the 50 strong choir, 18 soloists and the band of the 1st Brigade of the Australian Army Band,” the Facebook event said.

Gates open at 5.30pm on Sunday and the concert starts at 6.30pm, according to the event page, with a fireworks display at the Darwin Waterfront to conclude the night.

Food and soft drinks will be available, organisers say, with the vendors apparently to be announced at a later date.

Organisers also originally invited event-goers to “bring your own picnic or support the Lions club and buy a sausage”, with attendees usually also taking eskies, however it is unclear if that will still be the case once the event moves indoors.

According to the Darwin Convention Centre’s conditions of entry, no external alcoholic beverages are permitted entry to the Centre and unless expressly authorised by the manager, possession of the following items is prohibited at the Centre:

• Cans, bottles (including glass or metal) and containers;

• Eskies or hard cased cooler bags;

• External/Commercial food and drink. Patrons are permitted to enter with a limit of one (1)

sealed 600mL PET bottle of water, per person, except when there is a ‘Full Decant’ policy

in place for any given Event;

• Glo-sticks and other such illuminating objects;

Additionally and of note, DCC conditions of entry also state “for the safety of patrons during the course of an event, strollers and prams will not be permitted entry into the auditorium. Alternative areas to park prams and strollers will be provided on an event by event basis”.

Darwin's beloved Carols by Candlelight has been forced to move indoors less than a week before the event due to safety fears about weakened trees. Picture: Thomas McLean

They said there would be a space for picnic rugs only and a separate space for chairs.

Bookings are essential, organisers say, adding “be sure to get there early to secure your bit of floor”.

The HumanTix website that patrons are meant to book their tickets on, however, shows contradicting details to that of the Facebook event details — one says gates open at 4.30pm, the other 5.30pm.

General admission is a cash donation at the door, with proceeds going to Variety – the children’s charity NT.

According to the HumanTix website, reserved seating/VIP area limited tickets cost $40 per chair, and $35 Concession (Pensioner, student concession card) includes a complimentary program and candle.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://events.humanitix.com/city-of-darwin-carols-by-candlelight-2025?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExd2NRNHVVMXBpTkViajZ5bnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7iaUcspZAM-BkmG45hm-Ekl2E3j6w5gIotVy8C9alzuu53JOM-Irl7kTbbfQ_aem_8KbCCm8Cx_Jo27_PX70uXw

Originally published as Safety concerns see Darwin Carols by Candlelight relocated at eleventh hour