Burnside Council cancels annual Christmas carols event over severe weather fears

One of the city’s biggest suburban Christmas events has been cancelled after forecast thunderstorms forced the council to pull the plug.

Event attendee’s at Burnside Council's Carols in the Park concert last year.

Burnside Council has cancelled its Christmas carols event, fearing this weekend’s predicted weather conditions would risk community safety.

The council announced on Wednesday its Carols in the Park event, planned for Friday, would not go ahead and not be rescheduled.

It said the weather forecast, showing rainfall of up to 20mm and thunderstorms in the evening and afternoon, would put attendees and staff at risk.

“As this is an outdoor event, these conditions may compromise the safety and comfort of our community, performers and staff,” it said..

Burnside Council's Carols in the Park concert from 2024.

The Carols in the Park in 2022. Picture: Andrew Gurr

“Maintaining community safety is our highest priority, and to minimise risk to the public we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Carols in the Park.”

The council said the event would not be rescheduled because of the limited availability of performers and vendors during the Christmas event season.

“We have been planning for this event for six months and are extremely disappointed not to deliver this wonderful festive event,” the council wrote.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience.”

Originally published as Burnside Council cancels annual Christmas carols event over severe weather fears