Christmas Carols Gold Coast 2023: Where to Take Your Family!

It’s that time of year again for Carols by Candlelight. There’s no better way to shake off the bah humbugs than a good dose of Christmas carols with flameless candles lighting up angelic little faces. We’ve put together a list of the very best places to enjoy Christmas Carols from the Gold Coast to Byron Bay in 2023.

2023 Christmas Carols Gold Coast to Byron Bay

Get ready for some of the biggest and best family-friendly Christmas carols on the Gold Coast all the way to Byron this year.

Friday 24 November 2023

Benowa Carols | Benowa

This annual event is back with food trucks, raffles, entertainment and market stalls. Take your family along to have relaxing, festive evening. 

• When: Fri 24 Nov
• Where: Benowa State School
• Time: 4.30pm – 7pm

You can find more details about Benowa Carols here.

Saturday 25 November 2023

Carols by Candlelight | Runaway Bay

Join us for a whimsical night of Christmas carols and wholesome family fun at Carols By Candlelight, hosted by John Kerr of Jazz Radio 94.1FM and Danielle Goullet of Australian Events & Entertainment.

This free event features several talented performers, including Sabrina Durante (Outback Spectacular), Jack Watson, Leah Lever, Craig Martin and Sharon Rowntree, supported by a spectacular 7 piece band. There will be performances from Biggera Waters State School, St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School and Coomera Anglican College, plus Santa, his troupe of talented dancers and Rudolph!

Attendees can enjoy various food options from food trucks, coffee, fairy floss, ice cream, face painting and the famous Lions Club sausage sizzle.

• When: Sat 25 Nov
• Where: Kevin Bycroft Fields, Lae Drive, Runaway Bay,
• Time: 5pm – 8pm

Friday 1 December 2023

Labrador Community Christmas Celebration | Labrador

Get ready for the merriest event of the year! The Labrador Community Christmas Celebration is returning to the Labrador State School oval!

• Live Performances – Experience carols, music acts, magic shows and entertainment
• Food Trucks – Indulge your taste buds with a variety of treats from our a range of food trucks
• Market Stalls – Discover unique gifts and treasures at our market stalls
• Community Groups – Connect with your community and learn about the wonderful local groups making a difference
• Santa Photo Booth – Capture precious moments with Santa Claus himself!
• Fireworks – Brace yourself for a breathtaking fireworks display at 7:30pm, lighting up the night sky with joy and wonder

• When: Fri 1 Dec
• Where: Labrador State School
• Time: 4pm

Saturday 2 December 2023

Mayor’s Christmas Carols | Southport

Sing along to your favourite Christmas tunes at the annual Mayor’s Christmas Carols Gold Coast at Broadwater Parklands, presented by Village Roadshow Theme Parks.

In its twelfth year, City of Gold Coast’s Mayor’s Christmas Carols is being staged at the HOTA Outdoor Stage and HOTA Parklands.

Hosted by 7 News Gold Coast presenters Amanda Abate and Steve Titmus and 1029 Hot Tomato’s Emily Jade O’Keeffe and Galey, the evening will commence at 6pm and conclude at 9pm with a fireworks finale that will undoubtedly light up your night.

Limited free tickets are available for the HOTA Outdoor Stage from Monday 20 November. More information to come. Gates open from 4pm. Strict ticket limits apply.

• When: Sat 2 Dec
• Where: HOTA Outdoor Stage and HOTA Parklands
• Time: 6pm – 9pm

Find out more here

Tugan Lights Up | Tugan

Tugun Lights Up returns again on Saturday 2nd December, for the annual celebration of carols Gold Coast! Dine under the stars at one of the fantastic local cafes or restaurants, check out the local window displays and special offers, or visit the Christmas market stalls. Plenty of children’s entertainment on offer throughout the program with Santa making a special appearance!  There will be carols, giggles and just plenty of fun! 

• When: Sat 2 Dec
• Where: Toolona Street, Tugun
• Time: From 4pm

There is more information on these Xmas carols Gold Coast – Tugun Lights Up here.

Sunday 3 December 2023

Merry Little Christmas

Celebrate the festive season with the Gold Coast Philharmonic and Gold Coast Youth Choir.

Performing all of your favourite Christmas carols and songs, as well as excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ and music from ‘The Polar Express’. Adult: $32 | Concession: $22 | Student: $10 | Under 5: free Find out more

• When: Sun 3 Dec
• Where: Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Building, 7 Community Drive, Ashmore
• Time: 3pm

Thursday 7 December 2023

North Burleigh Carols by The Sea | North Burleigh

North Burleigh Carols by the Sea will provide a festive mixture of children’s activities, food trucks and markets from 4pm to 6pm; followed by Christmas staged entertainment including carols, community groups and live music from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 8th December. This is a free family-friendly event.

• When: Thurs 7 Dec
• Where: Ed Hardy Park, North Burleigh
• Time: 4pm – 8pm

You can find the details of North Burleigh Carols by the Sea here.

Friday 8 December 2023

Studio Village Community Carols | Studio Village

Bring along your picnic rug and bring a camp chair so you can enjoy the night.  You can take your own food if you wish. Santa will be at the Carols with his friends Frosty, Rudolph and his favourite Elf. There’s nothing like carols by candlelight Gold Coast.

• When: Fri 8 Dec
• Where: Studio Village
• Time: 4:30

There are more details about Studio Village Community Carols here

Saturday 9 December 2023

Carols by the Lake | Varsity Lakes

Head along to celebrate Christmas by the water at Carols by the Lake on Saturday, 9 December from 4pm to 8pm in Varsity Lakes. Varsity’s unique festive celebration will return to its lakeside location on Lake Orr and will feature:

• live stage entertainment
• Christmas carols
• kids activities
• delicious food options
• community stalls
• a visit from Santa, and
• a fireworks finale!

This free event is proudly brought to you by Division 11 Councillor Hermann Vorster. 

• Where: Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes
• When: Sat 9 Dec
• Time: 4pm – 8pm

You will find more information on Carols by the Lake here.

Nerang Celebrates Christmas | Nerang

This is a community event for local families on the 9th December. Free entertainment including Christmas Carols. Food, drinks, rides and other items available for purchase. Take a rug and your singing voices and celebrate together.

• When: Sat 9 Dec
• Where: Bischoff Park
• Time: 3pm – 8.30pm

Christmas in Highland Reserve

Come along from 5pm for a variety of family friendly activities, a visit from Santa and dinner by the lake. Food options available on site range from sausage sizzle and burgers to food trucks, including ice cream and of course coffee!

From 6:30pm enjoy ‘Simply Carols’, a laid back sing along to traditional Christmas carols with featured guest artists.

Bring the family, picnic blanket, chairs and voices to enjoy a great time in Highland Reserve.

• When: Sat 9 Dec
• Where: Tallowwood Park, Rose Valley Drive, Upper Coomera
• Time: 5pm

Sunday 10 December 2023

Cooly Christmas Carols | Coolangatta

Tis’ the sea-sun to be jolly! The iconic Cooly Carols will once again be oceanside at Queen Elizabeth Park.

Gather your nearest and dearest for a memorable evening with an all-Aussie cast of singers and dancers performing the Christmas carols we all know and love.

There will be a delicious assortment of savoury and sweet food trucks, Santa will be dropping in and we’ll finish the night with a shimmering fireworks finale!

When: Sun 10 Dec
Where: Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta
Time: From 5.30pm

There are more details about Coolangatta Christmas Carols here.

Northern Gold Coast Carols | Ormeau

Highway Church has been running the Northern Gold Coast Carols (formally named Ormeau Carols) since it began over 20 years ago. In that time, the event has established itself as an excellent family-friendly event on the Gold Coast. Each year, more than 10,000+ attend the event. You will find free rides, face painting and activities.  There will be food and drinks, photos with Santa and a live carol show.  Free entry. The night will finish with fireworks.

• When: Sun 10 Dec
• Where: Brien Harris Oval
• Time: Pre-show begins at 6pm

There is more information on Northern Gold Coast Carols Gold Coast here.

Thursday 14 December 2023

Christmas Carols | Sanctuary Cove

Bring your picnic blanket and gather for an evening of singalongs with the family to Christmas classics under the stars. At half time, be treated to the annual Buggy Parade hosted by The Rotary Club of Hope Island, ending the evening with a firework display over the water. This is a free event.

• When: Thurs 14 Dec
• Where: Marina Lanws, adjacent to Pier J
• Time: 3.30pm

Find out more

Saturday 16 December 2023

Carols in Coomera | Coomera

Who’s excited for the most magical time of the year? Sing your heart out at the Carols in Coomera!

Kicking off at 4:30pm, bring the whole family along to the Coomera Sports Park to enjoy all of the Christmas classics and a festive kids show.

Devour your favourites from the delicious food trucks and see Santa himself! He is extra excited for the short trip from the North Pole to the Northern Gold Coast.

• When: Sat 16 Dec
• Where: Coomera Sports Park, Coomera
• Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm

There are more details on Christmas in the Park here.

Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December 2023

Community Christmas Carols | Southport

Join in for a festive Christmas celebration the whole family will enjoy!

From 4pm enjoy FREE outdoor activities including a jumping castle, face painting, crafts, a sausage sizzle, bubble soccer and more. Then, at 5.30pm, sing along to all your favourite carols with your community.

• Where: Southport Church of Christ
• When: 16 & 17 Dec 2022
• Time: 4pm – 7pm

There is more information on Community Christmas Carols here.

Pacific Pines Christmas Carols | Pacific Pines

The Pacific Pines Residents Group is hosting the Pacific Pines Christmas Carols at Central Park, Hotham Drive, Pacific Pines.

With market stalls, food trucks, entertainment, face painting and a pop up playground, plus a visit from the man in red himself.

Come and do some last-minute Christmas shopping with some amazing market stalls or come down and try some of the yummy food from the food trucks.

There will be free jumping castles and a pop-up playground for the kids, so bring a picnic blanket or your camp chairs and come and join us at the Pacific Pines Christmas Carols for a wonderful evening out with the family finishing with fireworks at 8pm.

• When: Sat 16 Dec
• Where: Central Park, Hotham Drive, Pacific Pines
• Time: 4pm

You can find more information about Pacific Pines Christmas Carols here.

Sunday 17 December 2023

Carols on the Beach | Surfers Paradise

Do you hear what I hear? Carols on the Beach is returning to the sands of Surfers Paradise!

Matty J had such a merry time last year that he’ll coming back to host, this time with Laura!

Your all-time favourite Christmas carols will be performed in a 2 hour jolly celebration of song and dance by an all Aussie line-up with one special international guest, travelling all the way from the North Pole! To top the night off there will be a sparkly fireworks finale!

Carols on the Beach is a free family friendly event that that kicks off at 6pm. Make a weekend of it with a staycation or book the family in for dinner at a mouth-watering Surfers Paradise restaurant.

• When: Sun 17 Dec
• Where: Surfers Paradise Beach, The Esplanade
• Time: 6pm – 8pm

Jacob’s Carols | Jacobs Well

Head on down to Riesenweber Park for a relaxed afternoon of fun and Christmas cheer.

The afternoon starts at 5pm with kids entertainment from the amazing Renta Janye, followed by the choir from LORDS. The carols will kick off after a guest appearance from the man in red, who will stay the entire night to meet all of the children!

• When: Sun 17 Dec
• Where: Riesenweber Park, Bay Drive, Jacobs Well
• Time: 5pm

Monday 18 December 2023

Carols on the Broadwater | Southport

A family fun evening of live Gold Coast Christmas carols, face painting, games, and carolers overlooking the stunning Broadwater. Make sure you stay around and watch Santa’s Jetpack show! His big departure will make these Gold Coast Christmas Carols a night to remember for all. 

• When: Mon 18 Dec
• Where: Southport Yacht Club
• Time: 4pm

You can find more information about Carols on the Broadwater here.

If you are after something a little different, you can sing Christmas carols on these Gold Coast canal cruises while looking at the Christmas lights!

More Christmas Gold Coast and Byron Bay Family Fun Ideas

If you love Christmas markets here’s where to find the best pop-up Christmas Markets on the Gold Coast.

Planning to take your family out to see Christmas lights? Read our article plus map to find the BEST places to see Christmas lights on the Gold Coast!

There’s so much Christmas fun planned for the GC again this year. Get all the event details here.