ABOUT CAROLS IN THE CITY

Like prawns on the barbie and rusty Holden utes, singing Christmas Carols under the brilliant stars of the southern sky is synonymous with celebrating Christmas in Australia. It was Norman Banks who first introduced Carols by Candlelight to Melbourne in 1938, inspired by an elderly woman seen singing Away in a Manger by the light of a candle on Christmas Eve in 1937. Brisbane's first major carols event was not to come until the 1970s, when Hugh Cornish (the first person to appear on television in Queensland) instigated Carols under the Tower, named for its location under the Channel 9 broadcast tower. And so began the annual event that would later be known as the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols. This year, the IGA Lord Mayor's Carols in the City, presented by City Tabernacle Baptist Church, is delighted to welcome back Hugh Cornish and the Channel 9 network to take part in that will be the biggest Christmas celebration that the city of Brisbane has ever seen. Some of the brightest stars of Australian music join us again for this Carols extravaganza, as Brisbane lifts its voice to celebrate the Christ of Christmas. This year the main event will be preceded by a Christmas Festival for the first time in Brisbane, bringing the beautiful Botanic Gardens to life with rides, activities, live music and entertainment from midday on Saturday 6th December for the whole family, including a free Colin Buchanan concert at 1.30pm for the kids! Celebrations continue then on Sunday 7th December with Church in the Gardens at 9.30am as the churches of Brisbane join with Carols in the City artists in a Christmas Worship Service from the Botanic Gardens Festival Stage. It's Christmas! A Saviour has been born! Come and celebrate with us! Carols in the City is presented by the City Tabernacle Baptist Church and is proudly supported by IGA, the Brisbane City Council, the Queensland Government, the Australian Government plus our valued sponsors and supporters.