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A pictorial candle-lit journey through Carols history

By Bree Harding

Nov 12, 2024

An image from Shepparton's Carols by Candlelight in 1989. Photo by Contributed

This year’s Shepparton Carols by Candlelight is celebrating its 50th year.

The News has put together this gallery of historical images, in no particular order, from past events.

At the milestone occasion this year, Chocolate Starfish frontman Adam Thompson will perform, while past local performers and hosts have been invited back for guest appearances.

If a sponsor can be found in time, there will also be a fireworks display for the first time in years.

This year’s event will be on December 22 at the Queen’s Gardens from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

For more details, visit greatershepparton.com.au

An image from Shepparton's Carols by Candlelight in 1989. Photo by Contributed

The 1989 Shepparton Carols by Candlelight crowd. Photo by Contributed

A commemorative program from a past Shepparton Carols by Candlelight. Photo by Contributed

Then-eight-year-old Linc Sprunt, was in the crowd at Shepparton's Queen's Gardens in 2016 for the annual Carols by Candlelight concert. Photo by Julie Mercer

GV Pipes and Drums preparing to play at last year’s (2023) Carols by Candlelight. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Josh Dohnt, then 5, and Kylie Dohnt from Nathalia at Shepparton’s Carols by Candlelight in 2012. Photo by Simon Bingham

A huge crowd filled Shepparton’s Queen’s Gardens for the annual Carols by Candlelight in 2012. Photo by Simon Bingham

The stage is always full of talent, smiles and fun banter, as seen in this snap from 2012. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Electric candles have replaced wax ones, but the kids’ faces are still as lit up as ever, like this young man in 2012. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Every year there’s something different at Carols by Candlelight events. In 2015 we saw camels in the Queen’s Gardens. Photo by Julie Mercer

A souvenir program from 1999. Photo by Contributed

Who could forget Santa arriving at 2015’s Carols by Candlelight on camel back led by wise men? Photo by Julie Mercer

The stirring sound of the bagpipes emanated through the crowd at 2015’s Carols by Candlelight as pipers played along the Queen’s Gardens path. Photo by Julie Mercer

Dancers from local dance schools entertain the crowd along with musicians. This group was looking festive in 2016. Photo by Julie Mercer

There’s never any shortage of musical talent at the Shepparton Carols by Candlelight events, such as these clarinet players in 2016. Photo by Julie Mercer

Rod and Don Kilgour emcee the 1989 Shepparton Carols by Candlelight in the Queen's Gardens. Photo by Contributed

Pleasant weather always brings a big crowd, like this one at 2016’s Carols by Candlelight in Shepparton’s Queen’s Gardens. Photo by Julie Mercer

Mum Karen Kelly and daughters Maisie, then 3, and Layla, then 8 months, enjoyed the Christmas spirit at 2016’s Carols by Candlelight. Photo by Julie Mercer

In 2019, hundreds of people filled Shepparton’s Queens Gardens for Carols by Candlelight. Photo by Morgan Dyer

Carols by Candlelight Performers Jake Muir, Jalen Smith, Juliana de Quilettes and Meg Davies ahead of their performances at the 2011 Carols by Candlelight in Shepparton. Photo by Julie Mercer

2011’s Carols by Candlelight was forced inside at the Shepparton Showgrounds due to inclement weather. Photo by Julie Mercer

An unexpected indoor event at Eastbank Centre. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Santa makes an appearance at Shepparton’s Carols by Candlelight every December. Here he is in 2022. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

At 2022’s Carols by Candlelight, then nine-year-olds Mackenzie Palmer, Asha Breen, Lottie Palmer and Elsie O'Reilly got into the spirit with their light-up accessories. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

By Bree Harding

Senior journalist

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