Carols, shmarols right? Who can relate to them? They seem to be about things entirely irrelevant to Sydney’s silly season, like snow and chestnuts and mangers and silent nights.
Even if you are Christian, you might still be at a loss as to who exactly the little drummer boy is. Oh, and Christmas Trees? Actually, Christmas Tree is just a misnomer for at least 16 species of tree (mostly pines) named so because they represent ‘eternal life’. In non-European parlance that just means they are evergreens, not deciduous, which is basically every single tree native to Australia. Where’s their carol, huh!?
Christmas obviously makes no sense, particularly in the Antipodes, which is why you must not feel any shame or embarrassment about the fact that you are actually humming ‘parapapapum’ right now. And that you love carols. But not as much as you love singing them.
Carols on Norton, Leichhardt
As much as I just banged on about how un-Australian carols are, this event is doing a lot to turn that around with most of the music sung by the Espresso Chorus original works especially commissioned by the choir to Australian composers. A full children’s choir and adult chorus and orchestra showcases original non-denominational songs and a few of the old classics. Activist, journalist and all-round entertainer, Julie McCrossin, is Mcing the event which always packs out Pioneer Park. Bring a picnic rug, a hamper and a bottle of sparkling for a reinvigorating evening with the local community.
Sunday, December 18th, Pioneers Memorial Park, 7.30pm
Carols by Candlelight, Ashfield
Enjoy uplifting school choir performances by De La Salle Ashfield, Yeo Park Infants and St Vincent’s Primary, as well as other performances by talented community members. Safe candles will be provided to ensure the full visual spectacle of Carols by Candlelight. Again, this is a good one to bring a picnic rug to with nibblies.
Saturday 10 December, 6–9pm, Ashfield Park, Cnr Orpington St and Parramatta Rd, Ashfield
Carols in the Park, Five Dock
This is a big even with a charitable cause. Communities for Communities organises these Carols on the Park with music, food stalls and children’s activities abound. The streets around Halliday Park are renowned for their Christmas cheer expressed in dazzling light displays. On the other side of the park you have full sight of Hen and Chicken Bay, possibly the only carols in the Inner West with water views!
Monday, December 19th, Halliday Park, McGrath Ave, Five Dock, food from 6pm, carols from 7.30pm
Community Christmas Carols, Marrickville
St Brigid’s Marrickville is hosting community carols with fireworks after their 5pm vigil mass on Saturday December 9th. The theme this year is ‘Peace on Earth’. From 6pm food will be on sale, 7-9pm will hark the carols and crackers. Bring seats, rugs and refreshments.
St Brigid’s, Cnr of Marrickville Rd and Livingstone Rd
