Adelaide Carols by Candlelight | Elder Park | 13 Dec 2025
St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight will be returning to Adelaide’s Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama this December.
Mark your calendars and start warming up your vocal cords for one of Adelaide’s most beloved festive traditions, St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight. One of our favourite Christmas events will return on Saturday 13 December 2025, bringing Christmas cheer, community spirit and magical performances to Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama.
Each year hundreds of families flock to Elder Park to soak up the festival like atmosphere and enjoy a FREE day out with plenty of interactive games, activities, food stalls and live entertainment. From mid afternoon and right up until the Carols by Candlelight concert begins in the evening, the event provides a wonderful opportunity to get together with your nearest and dearest, light your candles and sing along to some of your favourite Christmas songs.
WIN A VIP FAMILY PASS TO THE 2025 ST JOHN AMBULANCE CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
2025 FEATURED ARTISTS
- Leo Sayer
- Emma Memma
- Amber Lawrence
- James Johnston
- Marina Prior
- Jay Laga’aia
- Paulini
- Patrizio Buanne
- Bonnie Anderson
- Hugh Sheridan
- Alyssa Depopolo
In a spectacular start to the countdown, organisers confirmed the first two headline performers include international music legend and Grammy Award winner, Leo Sayer, and beloved children’s entertainer Emma Memma.
With a career spanning five decades, Leo Sayer will bring his iconic voice and dynamic stage presence to Carols. Joining him is much loved children’s entertainer Emma Memma, whose colourful and engaging performances have made her a favourite with young audiences across the country.
Two of Australia’s brightest country stars – Amber Lawrence and James Johnston – have been confirmed as part of this year’s line-up. Both chart-topping artists will bring their unmistakable energy and talent to Adelaide’s most beloved Christmas tradition, adding a distinctly country flair to the festive season.
Australia’s leading lady of musical theatre, Marina Prior, will light up the stage for her debut performance at this year’s St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight. Flying home from London, where she is currently performing in the 40th anniversary season of Les Misérables on the West End, her appearance marks a major coup for the Adelaide tradition, bringing one of the nation’s most beloved performers to Carols at the height of an extraordinary international season.
© Steven Grace Photography, 2018
Beloved family favourite Jay Laga’aia returns to Adelaide’s St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight with his trademark warmth, humour and sing-along magic.
Also joining the lineup is powerhouse vocalist Paulini, celebrated across the nation for her extraordinary range, soulful warmth, and captivating stage presence.
WIN A VIP FAMILY PASS TO THE 2025 ST JOHN AMBULANCE CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Joining this year’s star-studded line-up are two of Australia’s favourite voices to emerge from the nation’s biggest talent shows – Taylor Henderson and Marshall Hamburger. Taylor, who first captured hearts as a finalist on Australia’s Got Talent, will bring his soulful sound and heartfelt storytelling to the Carols stage.
He’ll be joined by Australian Idol Season 10 winner Marshall Hamburger, whose rich vocals and magnetic energy have made him one of the country’s most exciting new performers.
International multiplatinum recording artist Patrizio Buanne, the Italian-born global sensation known for his velvet voice and timeless charm, will perform at this year’s Carols, while he is here as part of his 20th Anniversary Tour, celebrating two decades since the release of his debut album.
Bonnie Anderson, Australia’s golden girl of screen and music, having first captured the nation’s attention as the inaugural winner of Australia’s Got Talent in 2007 at just 12 years old, will perform this year. She released her debut single Raise the Bar in 2013, and from 2018 to 2021 starred as Bea Nilsson in the long-running Australian soap, Neighbours. In 2020, Bonnie’s vocal talent again took centre stage when she won the second season of The Masked Singer Australia, cementing her reputation as one of the country’s most versatile and loved performers.
Australia’s boy next door, triple-threat entertainer and all-round Christmas favourite, Hugh Sheridan, is returning home to Adelaide for St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight 2025.
Hugh will be bringing his trademark charm, humour, and a whole lot of holiday cheer to South Australia’s most iconic Christmas celebration.
A Carols crowd favourite, Hugh has a long and merry history with this event, and his homecoming performance promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s show, and in perfect timing following the release of his Christmas Album, The Merriest, over the weekend.
Alyssa Depopolo – winner of The Voice Australia 2025 – has officially joined the St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight 2025 lineup. Alyssa’s powerhouse vocals and vibrant performance style make her an outstanding addition to this year’s event and to help bring the magic of Carols to life.
Local Performers
Local performance groups joining this year’s show will include Gospo Collective, Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus, Adelaide Concert Orchestra and Dancers by Donna.
7NEWS Adelaide personalities Rosanna Mangiarelli, Will Goodings and Amelia Mulcahy return as hosts of the national television broadcast, that highlights South Australia to the rest of the country.
VIEW THE 2025 FEATURED ARTISTS
Family and friends are encouraged to don their best Christmas outfit and go down to Elder Park early to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a free day of entertainment, including the City of Adelaide Pre-Show Concert from 5pm. Gates open at 3pm and the free concert commences at 8.30pm, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show.
WHEN TO GET THERE?
- 3pm – Gates open for everyone to pick their best available spot
- 5pm – Experience Adelaide Community Concert pre-show
- 8.30pm – Main concert begins
- 10.16pm – Fireworks display finale
- 10.30pm – Event concludes
WIN A VIP FAMILY PASS TO THE 2025 ST JOHN AMBULANCE CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
ABOUT CAROLS
Carols by Candlelight is Australia’s second-oldest Christmas concert, presented to Adelaide residents and television audiences since 1944 when an estimated one in 10 citizens attended the first event. The traditional Elder Park concert now attracts more than 25,000 people annually and raises much-needed funds for South Australian charitable causes.
In 2022, St John Ambulance South Australia became the custodians of Carols by Candlelight, preserving this 80-year Christmas tradition for the community for years to come.
St John Ambulance SA is a self-funded charity that has been supporting the wellbeing of South Australians for over 135 years. St John Ambulance helps tens of thousands of people across the state each year by delivering first aid at events, first aid training and products, and social inclusion programs.
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Don’t miss the 81st St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight on Saturday 13 December 2025 at Elder Park. A South Australian Christmas Tradition.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Adelaide Carols website.
What: St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight
When: Saturday 13 December 2025
Where: Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama | King William Road, Adelaide
Who: Everyone
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: Carols by Candlelight
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