At a glance
- Cairns Carols by Candlelight will be held in Fogarty Park this Sunday 8 December.
- Hundreds of performers will take the stage for a two-part carols event.
- Glow products and battery-operated candles will be available to purchase on the night, with all proceeds supporting the Mayor’s Christmas Cheers Appeal.
- Adults only experience Christmas Pub Choir, prior to the tradition activities
The sounds of Christmas will reverberate from Fogarty Park this Sunday (8 December) with the staging of Cairns Regional Council’s annual Carols by Candlelight spectacular.
In a break from tradition, a laser and light show has replaced the fireworks finale, there will be pre-event pub choir and you’ll have the chance to interact with some native critters during the event.
This year, along with the traditional performances and entertainment at Fogarty Park, for those wanting a festive adults-only experience, Council has collaborated with HIT FM’s breakfast crew Carly & Seamus and Cairns Choral Society for the inaugural Christmas Pub Choir.
Kicking off at 4pm at The Woolshed, participants will pre-record a tropically flavoured and locally written version of the Twelve Days of Christmas carol with help from the Cairns Choral Society, which will later be played to Carols by Candlelight audience in Fogarty Park.
The pub carollers can then continue their festive celebrations by watching the entire Carols Show at Fogarty Park broadcast on to the Woolshed screens in air-conditioned comfort.
The traditional entertainment kicks-off at 5.30pm with a community concert featuring the Cairns Choral Society with a guest appearance from the Mamma Mia cast, Cairns Young Voices, City of Cairns Highland and Irish Dancers and Backstreet Dance Studio, among others.
“We want to broaden the reach of our annual carols spectacular and have added some new events that I am sure will appeal to a wider and more diverse audience,” Cairns mayor Bob Manning said.
“There will still be plenty of opportunity to sing along to family-favourites and Christmas songs, along with some modern takes on popular carols.
“It is always wonderful to see the hundreds of performers of all ages appear on stage as thousands of audience members sing along.”
From 7pm, a fully choreographed Carols Spectacular featuring an array of outstanding performers will take centre stage.
Santa Claus will make an appearance and the show will conclude at 8.30pm with a spectacular laser and light display.
“There will be a mixture of lights and laser projected onto the Pacific Hotel, mixed with some pyrotechnics and all themed to music,” Cr Manning said.
“It is a move away from the traditional fireworks, but still providing that ‘WOW’ factor. I am sure everyone will love what this offers.”
Throughout the evening, games facilitated by the event’s major sponsors and roving performers will add more interactive fun.
Major sponsor CaPTA Group will have a booth with games and prizes and the chance to interact with a crocodile, snake and other native critters.
There is also the chance to get the VIP treatment, thanks to Southern Cross Austereo and the Triple M team of Elliott, Bec and Mark, who will be emceeing the event. The best viewing spots have been set aside, with drinks and snacks provided, plus entry to Santa’s Green Room. To enter, register at
The event is free to attend but food and refreshments will be available to purchase on site.
Battery-operated candles and other glow products will also be available to purchase. All money raised will support the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal, which packs and delivers Christmas food hampers to local people in need.
WEATHER NOTE: The event will go ahead as planned if there is light to moderate rain. Should there be a more significant weather event, such as heavy rain or thunderstorms, please check the Cairns Regional Council Facebook page for updates.
