Carols by Candlelight is an annual Australian Christmas tradition that was popularised in Melbourne in 1938. The tradition has since spread around the world. It involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park, to sing carols by candlelight, featuring live performances by both national and international celebrities accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
Delta Goodrem appears during the 2006 Carols by Candlelight rehearsal
Christmas traditions in Australia, like Christmas in New Zealand, have many similarities to British, Irish, American and Canadian traditions, including traditional Christmas symbols featuring winter iconography. This means a red fur-coated Father Christmas or Santa Claus riding a sleigh, songs such as "Jingle Bells", and various Christmas scenes on Christmas cards and decorations. However, the timing of Christmas occurring during the Southern Hemisphere's summer season has resulted in the development of some local traditions as a result of the warmer weather.
Christmas tree in Sydney's Martin Place, December 2021
An Australian Christmas dessert pavlova garnished with strawberries
"The average Australian Christmas" cartoon by Livingston Hopkins (c. 1900) – click to enlarge.
A float in the 2008 Norwood Christmas pageant depicting Father Christmas' sleigh on top of Australian-style historic buildings