IT’S that time of the year again and right across the city there are lots of community events, mostly calling for willing voices to sound out the spirit of Christmas.

Carols at memorial
ONE of Canberra’s favourite Christmas events is the traditional Christmas Carols at the Australian War Memorial, which this year is on Friday, December 12 at 7pm.
Entertainers will be Beccy Cole, David Dixon and Hayley Jensen, backed by the Royal Military College of Duntroon Band and local choirs. It’s sponsored by ActewAGL.

Lighting of the tree
ON Saturday, December 6, the Christmas season starts in the heart of Canberra city, with the lighting of the Christmas Tree. It all happens with a free Christmas concert from 7pm to 9pm. Bring the family and a picnic dinner to Civic Square and be entertained by “Playschool” favourite Monica Trapaga and the Warrani Ensemble. There may even be a visit from Santa!

Music in the city
During December the regular city lunchtime entertainment will turn decidedly Christmassy with seasonal music featuring school and community choirs performing in Garema Place, City Walk, Petrie Plaza, Ainslie Avenue and Hobart Place.

Choir spectacular
A 400-VOICE choir will perform a Christmas concert in Civic Square at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 20 under the city’s Christmas Tree, with pre-concert entertainment and children’s activities commencing at 7pm. The concert will also feature local indigenous musicians and dancers and one of Australia’s finest recording bush bands Franklin M Paverty.

Carols by candlelight
THE Twincity Church and the Village Building Company, in conjunction with local community groups, are presenting carols by candlelight in the David Madew Oval, Bayside Circuit and Coral Drive, Jerrabomberra on Saturday, December 13 with more than 200 performers on stage. Santa will arrive via the SnowyHydro South Care Helicopter. Entertainment and sideshow activities will start at 4.30pm, carol singing at 8pm, followed by a grand finale of a fireworks display at 9pm. 

Christmas readings
BEFORE the Carols spectacular on December 20, the Civic Library is holding Christmas story reading by ACT Story Tellers Guild member Mollie Bialkowski from 6.30pm-7.15pm. Other special Christmas readings are on at 10.30am-11.30am on Wednesdays throughout December.  Also on December 10 is a special event titled “Learn how to Decorate your Christmas Cake” from 12.15pm-1.30pm.

Carols in the park
WODEN Valley Youth Choir and the Royal Military College of Duntroon Band will lead community singing at the 64th Carols by Candlelight on December 10 from 7pm in Commonwealth Park. Bring a picnic dinner and candles.

Christmas in Gungahlin
YERRABI Ponds District Park is this year’s venue for Christmas in Gungahlin on December 8, from 6pm. It will feature the dance sounds from popular local band Big Boss Groove.

Santa’s coming…
Father Christmas will have a very busy time in Canberra this year.  Apart from appearing at most of the evening carols events across the region, he will be spending his days (during retail hours) talking to all the girls and boys who have been nice at The Canberra Centre, Civic, the G in Gungahlin, Hyperdome Tuggeranong and Westfield’s in Belconnen and Woden.