Best of the Gold Coast 2018: 18 Christmas carol events to get your sing on
Warm up those vocal chords and crack out the jingle bells, it’s time to get festive. We’ve rounded up Christmas carol events happening all around the Gold Coast.
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WARM up those vocal chords and crack out the jingle bells, it’s time to get festive. We’ve rounded up Christmas carol events happening all around the Gold Coast.
Runaway Bay Carols by Candlelight
November 24 at 5pm, Kevin Bycroft Field, Lae Drive, Runaway Bay
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From small beginnings to attracting thousands, the Runaway Bay Carols by Candlelight is a tradition for many families. Hosted by the Runaway Bay Lions Club, secretary Steve Gretch says the evening is a singalong under the stars. “The evening is hosted by John Kerr from 94.1FM. It’s a mixture of grassroots community groups, local schools and local choirs, with acrobats and dancing squads. Then the evening builds with entertainment, a live band, a visit from Santa and a fireworks show at 8pm. We’ll have LED candles for patrons to use.”
Mudgeeraba Community Christmas Carols
November 25, 4.30pm at Firth Park, Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba
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Schoolchildren will be the stars of this show, entertaining the crowds before a large orchestra takes to the stage, followed by carollers. “There’s a combined schools orchestra — it’s huge, with more than 100 pieces (instruments),” Mudgeeraba Uniting Church representative Graham Williamson says. “The whole intent is to get the community involved and schools participating. The program is run by the churches of Mudgeeraba … they’ve got a very good band. Santa arrives in act two and he’ll have lollies to give out to the kids.”
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Mayor’s Christmas Carols
December 1 at 2pm, Broadwater Parklands, Marine Parade, Southport
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Expect a stellar line-up of entertainment at the Gold Coast’s biggest Christmas carol event. Kate Cebrano and Anthony Callea headline an evening of festive spirit, starting with children’s activities at 2pm, carols from 5pm and a spectacular fireworks display closing the evening at 9pm. Mayor Tom Tate says he hopes this year will draw the biggest crowd yet. “We’re hoping for a record crowd at this year’s Mayor’s Carols,” he says. “In recent years, 9500 people have enjoyed this magical event. Let’s go for 10,000 when songstress Kate Ceberano and Anthony Callea take to the stage. See you all there.”
Christmas Carols at Oxenford
December 2, 6pm at Damian Leeding Memorial Park, 1 Watersport Lane, Oxenford
Is it a bird? Is it a sleigh? Nope — it’s Santa on a jet pack. Held at the Southport Yacht Club’s new venue the Oxenford Watersports Centre, Santa’s exhilarating arrival will be wet and wild. “Thousands of locals and club members are expected to flock to the site for a three-hour show,” marketing manager Bronwen Hemmings says. “Santa’s jet pack arrival we’re expecting will be a big hit for the kids, along with two jet pack shows.” Food trucks and an on-site cafe will serve hot food and drinks, alongside a fundraising sausage sizzle.
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Studio Village Christmas Carols
December 7, 5pm at 87 Village Way, Oxenford
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Support this longstanding Christmas carol event in its new home at the Studio Village Community Centre. “We originally ran the ones at Movie World for 24 years,” Community Centre committee member Jennifer Schofield says. “We thought it was time we brought our carols back to the back paddock. We’re not having fireworks, but we’ll have a snow machine, food vendors, and Santa will be coming. Make sure to bring blankets and chairs.” Signage will direct people to the carols and shuttle buses will pick patrons up on Binstead Way and Studio Drive.
Broadbeach Christmas Carols
December 8, 3pm at Kurrawa Park, Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach
Santa’s little helpers will turn blue for the Broadbeach Christmas Carols, with The Smurfs kicking off festivities. Later, the carolling is led by international performer Martin Crewes and soprano Danielle Everett from 6pm. Martin and Danielle have travelled the world singing in musicals and are regarded as Australia’s best Christmas carol performers. Children will be further entertained with rock climbing, a giant slide, face painting and an obstacle course. Food trucks will be serving hot snacks before the fireworks finale.
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Arundel Christmas Carols
December 8, 4pm at Arundel Presbyterian Churchm 132 Allied Drive, Arundel
Enjoy carnival games, inflatable rides, a petting zoo and sausage sizzle at the Arundel Christmas Carnival and Carols. The festivities kick off at 4pm with carnival entertainment, followed by a free barbecue dinner at 5.15pm to 6pm, carols at 6pm and live music and dessert at 7pm. A gold coin donation is required for soft drink, dessert and coffee, all other attractions are free.
Ashmore Christmas Carols
December 8, 4.30pm at Ashmore State School oval, Currumburra Rd, Ashmore
Ashmore’s Christmas Carols kick off at 4.30pm with free children’s entertainment including a jumping castle, animal nursery and inflatable photo booth. High five Paw Patrol and Tinkerbell characters as they wander through the grounds before main stage performances begin at 6.15pm. Join in the fun of carols and dancing before the evening wraps up at 8.15pm. The event will fundraise for Ashmore State School’s chaplaincy program.
Varsity Lakes Carols by the Lake
December 8, 4pm at Varsity Promenade, Varsity Lakes
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Pull out the glue gun and get your craft on for the Christmas hat parade at Varsity Lakes. Carols by the Lake will begin at 4pm with a host of activities planned including a procession of the community’s best Christmas crowns. Onstage entertainment will begin as the sun sets over the lake, with candlelight and glowsticks to illuminate the water. Bring a picnic rug, peruse festival stalls, nibble on food truck fare and sing along to your favourite carols before a guest from the North Pole makes an appearance, followed by fireworks.
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Ormeau Carols
December 9, 4pm at Brien Harris Oval, Cnr Peachy and Orange Mountain Roads, Ormeau
Save cash on the shopping centre Christmas photo and head along to the Ormeau Carols. The man in red will be posing and taking wish requests with children while a professional photographer snaps a shot for free. “We’ll have a photographer, a little tent decorated and Santa sits on a chair,” Highway Church spokeswoman Kristianne Smith says. “At 4pm we start with free rides, food vendors around the oval and pre-show entertainment, then at 7pm our concert begins. Hear all your favourite carols, get a visit from Santa and see the fireworks.”
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Coolangatta Christmas Carols
December 9, 5pm at Queen Elizabeth Park, McLean St and Marine Pde, Coolangatta
Santa may never go back to travelling in reindeer-led sleigh once he’s experienced the rush of arriving by parachute. Mr Claus will jump from 10,000 feet before safely landing at the Coolangatta Carols, where thousands of families will be waiting for him. The celebrations kick off at 4pm with food trucks, market stalls and free face painting for children, followed by on stage entertainment and Christmas carols from 5.30pm. Remember to bring your own water bottle as there will be no plastic water bottles sold on-site, but there will be refill stations.
Currumbin Community Christmas Carols
December 10, 5.30pm at Galleon Park, 59 Galleon Way, Currumbin Waters
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It’s nothing but Christmas at the Currumbin Community Carols, with each piece of entertainment dedicated to December 25. Chatterbox Special Events manager Sheila Lorraine says the evening will culminate in a laser light show. “We’re calling it a traditional Christmas concert with lots of family activities and fun,” Sheila says. “There’ll be hot and cold food, all the favourite songs, stilt walkers, hula hoops, jumping castle, children’s activities, and a world-class laser light show, with pictures of Santa moving across the sky.”
Burleigh Heads Christmas Carols
December 13, 4.30pm at Memorial Park, Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
The tall Burleigh Heads pines will serve as giant Christmas trees for an Aussie holiday celebration by the water. The free Christmas entertainment will begin at 5pm with children’s activities and family entertainment at Memorial Park. Food and drinks will be available to purchase from nearby James Street. The festivities will move to John Laws Park at 7pm, with Christmas carols ringing out from atop Burleigh Hill. Be sure to bring a picnic, a rug to sit on and your best singing voice as the most wonderful day of the year draws nearer.
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Upper Coomera Carols in the Park
December 15, 5.30pm at John Siganto Reserve, Gawler Place, Upper Coomera
Santa is planning on making an entrance at this event. Coomera Valley Rotary Club secretary Malcolm Cummings says there will be red on red when the man of the moment rolls in. “Santa Claus will arrive on a firetruck, with the sirens and lights going,” Malcolm says. “We have a Santa’s grotto planned where the kids can meet him and get a little present.” Malcolm says the annual event has welcomed multiple generations. “We’ve been going for 25 years. We’ve seen children grow up and then bring their own children.”
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Labrador Carols in the Park
December 15, 5.30pm at 119 Government Rd, Labrador
The Norm Rix Park will be transformed in to the Silent Night as children recreate a nativity scene with live animals. Nibble on a free sausage sizzle while enjoying the Salvation Army Brass Band and traditional carols. Santa and Frosty the Snowman will be there to meet children who’ve been on their best behaviour, finishing with fireworks at 8.30pm.
Jacobs Well Community Carols
December 16, 5.30pm at Reisenweber Park, Bay Drive, Jacobs Well
Hosted by Bethlehem Luthern Church, the Jacobs Well Christmas Carols will light up with a traditional candlelight singalong. The evening will begin with children’s entertainment and a sausage sizzle from 5.30pm. Make sure to arrive early to meet Santa before the carols begin at 6.30pm, led by talented singers. The evening will finish off with fireworks.
Sanctuary Cove Carols on the Green
December 20, 4pm at The Village Green, Quay St
The Sanctuary Cove community will come together at The Village Green on Thursday, December 20 for a night of Christmas cheer. Some of the Gold Coast’s best performers will spread the joy with plenty of sing-a-long carols, including Alex Fietz, the Rob McMullen Duo, the Paradise Carollers, and The Kitty Kats. The free event will also include the Rotary Buggy Parade, a visit from Santa and his right hand deer Rudolph, topped off with a fireworks show.
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Surfers Paradise Carols on the Beach
December 23, 6.30pm at Surfers Paradise Beach, Surfers Paradise
It’ll only be two more sleeps until Christmas when the last carols of the year kick off at Surfers Paradise. Carols on the Beach will present a full line-up of fun at Queensland’s only carols on the sand, starting with Looney Tunes characters on the foreshore from 3pm, night markets selling unique wares from 4pm, and onstage entertainment on the beach at 6.30pm. Talented local performers will have the crowd singing while Surfers Paradise mascots lead the dancing. The evening will culminate in a fireworks display.
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