Adelaide Carols by Candlelight | Elder Park | 12 Dec 2026
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 12 December 2026, bringing Christmas cheer, community spirit and magical performances to Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama.
One of Adelaide’s most cherished Christmas traditions, hundreds of families flock to Elder Park each year 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.
Artist Announcements
Fresh from captivating audiences across Australia in the lead role of Pretty Woman: The Musical, Australian singer, songwriter and performer Samantha Jade is set to return to St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight. A long-time Carols favourite, Samantha Jade has become one of the event’s most popular performers and is affectionately known by organisers as “our angel on top of the tree”.
Adding to the excitement of this year’s St John Carols by Candlelight, Nikki Webster and her daughter Skylah will take to the stage together at Elder Park. Best known for her iconic performance at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and hit song Strawberry Kisses, Nikki will be joined by Skylah, who recently made her musical theatre debut in Annie. The mother-daughter duo will bring a special family touch to this much-loved Adelaide Christmas tradition.
From little ones discovering the magic of Christmas to generations of musical theatre fans, Australian entertainment icons, Emma Memma and Rachael Beck, will bring something for everyone to the stage at this year’s St John Carols by Candlelight. Children’s favourite Emma Memma will have Adelaide’s youngest Carols fans singing and dancing along and joining her on the Carols stage will be acclaimed musical theatre performer Rachael Beck, whose career has spanned some of Australia’s biggest productions and television shows.
Marina Prior is known as Australia’s Leading Lady of Musical Theatre and will be welcomed back to the Carols stage again this year. The 60 Four will make their St John Carols by Candlelight debut in 2026 and Travis Collins, long been regarded as one of Australia’s most accomplished and dynamic country music artists, will also take to the stage.
VIEW THE 2026 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 – St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight Concert
- 10.30pm – Fireworks
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.
FOLLOW ADELAIDE CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM FOR REGULAR UPDATES.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Adelaide Carols website.
What: St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight
When: Saturday 12 December 2026 | Gates open 3pm
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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