Where to see regional Victoria’s best Christmas carols

While Grinch Melbourne councils have canned their carols, country Victorians are getting ready to sing their lungs out. Here’s where the biggest events will be held.

Families from across regional Victoria will enjoy Christmas Carols this year. Picture: Stewart McLean

While Grinch Melbourne councils have canned their carols, country Victorians are getting ready to sing their lungs out.

Ballarat Carols by Candlelight is set to be one of the biggest across the state with up to 10,000 people allowed to attend Mars Stadium.

Organiser Matt Hustwaite said his team had been working since March to get the event up and running.

“It’s important the community is able to come together in the spirit of the season especially after the last two years and what everyone has been through,” he said.

“With most of the restrictions gone, it is going to feel like a normal event.”

Greater Shepparton is set to have a range of Christmas events across the region with details to be released in early December.

In the state’s southeast, Bass Coast towns have committed to the Christmas cheer holding free events in Grantville, Wonthaggi and Inverloch.

Wonthaggi and Inverloch organiser John Searle said only fully vaccinated people would be able to attend the events which will include festive tunes, face painting and sausage sizzles.

But despite Ballarat, Shepparton and Wonthaggi pushing ahead, there are some regional councils who have canned their events.

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Andrea Metcalf said health regulations could not be met.

“This is due to the difficulties in meeting health requirements set by the state government to keep community events Covid-safe, including the capability to check vaccination status of all those attending the events and to secure an area,” she said.

Mildura’s Carols by Candlelight have been cancelled due to “ongoing restrictions”.

“In part, the difficult decision to cancel the carols has been made by event organisers because of the vaccination restrictions imposed on attendees, production crew, contractors, performers, and volunteers,” the organisers said.

But carols at the Garden of Hope Mildura and Mildura City Heart will still go ahead.

There will also be a drive by event in Red Cliffs organised by Diggerland Church.

Ratepayers Victoria president Dean Hurlston said there was “no excuse” for councils cancelling carols.

“It’s time for councils to ensure Christmas carols and events proceed in a Covid-safe manner,” he said.

“Residents, businesses and ratepayers need all the support they can get. It’s good for the economy and for everyone’s mental health.’’

There will be no carols in Albury either this year with the local council cancelling its event because of an outbreak in the Victorian-NSW town meant it was impossible to conduct auditions and rehearsals.

Warrnambool and Dennington’s have also been canned with Wodonga and Traralgon choosing to hold virtual carols online.

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