Thousands enjoy Toowoomba’s beloved carols event for 2025

Toowoomba’s beloved carols tradition has returned to Queens Park with more than 12,000 people gathering for the community celebration. SEE THE GALLERY.

A charity that supports at-risk children and young people who have experienced domestic violence has raised more than $1000 through gold coin donations at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight event at Queens Park.

Fifteen children from Kiyua Performing Arts donned Kiyua shirts and performed flash mob dances around the park on Sunday.

Along with collecting donations from families enjoying the Mayoral Carols by Candlelight event, the charity got a chance to promote their life changing work which currently has 200 children in the program.

Offering classes in drama, dance, martial arts and art, the volunteer-run charity has been running for 21 years, helping at-risk youth discover new life skills through community, skills and talent generation.

“With 12,000 people attending the event, we were very happy to have our name out there in front of such a large crowd,” founder Sheriden Rehn said.

“We were invited by mayor Geoff McDonald to perform at the event this year and raise money through the gold-coin donations.”

The organisation is based in Cambooya and Toowoomba and will resume classes from January 31, 2026, giving their volunteer teachers a much needed break over the summer.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the activities Kiyua Performing Arts provides, get in touch at 0412 135 925.

Kiyua Performing Arts dancers (from left) Jazmyn Lehfeldt, Rhiannon Colley, Natalie Philippa and Romaya Jones at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Gallery

Emily and Nathan Fanning with sons Oscar (left) and Hamish at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) , Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Emily and Nathan Fanning with sons Oscar (left) and Hamish at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) , Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Blake Reinbott, Glenice Windsor and Belicia Hafenstein, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Brylie, Rhyan, Adrian, Nate and Nikita Thompson, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Thomas Robeck, Riley Canning and Riley Becker, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Thomas Robeck, Riley Canning and Riley Becker, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Kathleen, Robert, Casey and Josh Morrow, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Brittany Charles holding Jenson Charles, Armani Collins (front) and Chloe King holding Kingston Collins, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Brittany Charles holding Jenson Charles, Armani Collins (front) and Chloe King holding Kingston Collins, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Danielle Maxwell with her daughters (from left) Chelsea, Sophia and Georgia Maxwell at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Joshua and Amanda Birch with their daughters (from left) Isabella, Savannah and Luciana at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Aaron Passmore, Sawyer Passmore and Carina Dalzell, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Aaron Passmore, Sawyer Passmore and Carina Dalzell, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Kiyua Performing Arts dancers (from left) Jazmyn Lehfeldt, Rhiannon Colley, Natalie Philippa and Romaya Jones at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Breanna and Maxwell Williams at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Lions Club of Toowoomba volunteers (from left) Sarah Harding, Deidre McMahon and Elvee Brisbane at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Rhiannon and Nick Giblin with their kids Grayson and Evie at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Matti Markey with daughter Roami at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Matti Markey with daughter Roami at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

William Freier (left) and Rylan Cause at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Rylan Cause (left) and William Freier at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

William Freier (left) and Rylan Cause at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Anne Jones with grandkids (from left) Archer Jones, Fletcher Jones and Kalista Pateman at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Pieper Caldwell, Georgia Cattonar, Nathaniel Goode, Talyssa Lees and Jessica Cattonar, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Pieper Caldwell, Georgia Cattonar, Nathaniel Goode, Talyssa Lees and Jessica Cattonar, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Chloe, Nicholas, Brett, Jackson and Teena Winnett, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Bradley Appo with grandkids Alaia and Dusty Appo at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Bronte (front) and Rikki Gainey at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Telina Bliss with daughters Andi and Max (right) at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Telina Bliss with daughters Andi and Max (right) at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Sandy Gibson with daughters Amiyah and Payzlie (right) at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Kaylah Anderson and son Hudson De Leeuw at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Melissa, Vinnie, Tamika and Evelyn Stark, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Melissa, Vinnie, Tamika and Evelyn Stark, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Andrew and Delena Kendall with daughter Lucy at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Andrew and Delena Kendall with daughter Lucy at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Tom Gillespie with kids Macie and Ewan at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Sisters Nikita (left) and Maddison Barnes at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Scarlett, Cameron, Lexi (front), Darlene, Amariah-Mae and Tristan Dobson, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Scarlett, Cameron, Lexi (front), Darlene, Amariah-Mae and Tristan Dobson, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Dobson, Hardaker and Hardimon families at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Lisa McClenahan and Ron Morgan with grandkids Violet (front) and Everly at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Lisa McClenahan and Ron Morgan with grandkids Violet (front) and Everly at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Jess Fitzgibbons, Joan McDonald, Maree McDonald and Lisa McDonald, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Katy Coulter with aunt Kristelle Coulter at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Gracie, Lauren, Sophie and Annie Blinco, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Kailey Chapman, Amelia Chapman and Aliya Loi, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are (from left) Kailey Chapman, Amelia Chapman and Aliya Loi, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Michael Davies at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Imogen and Michael Davies at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Tayla Sullivan and Jordan Salisbury with baby Beau Salisbury at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Eddie Ford gets a good view from the shoulders of dad Ian Ford at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight are Zoe Charles and Tash Turl (right) with kids (from left) Rylee, Mattya and Summer, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Fibonacci Singers on stage at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Christmas Five perform at on stage at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight MC Lee Faulkner, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Santa on stage at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Santa wearing boardshorts on stage at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Charlotte Kelly on stage at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Brendon Walmsley on stage at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Brendon Walmsley on stage at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Flynn Walmsley on stage at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Brendon Walmsley on stage with sons Flynn (left) and Micah at the Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Sue Ray on stage at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Sue Ray on stage at Triple M Mayoral Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, December 14, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer