The best of South Australia’s choirs, ensembles and dancers are set to unite for St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight 2025
Audiences will be treated to the very best of South Australia’s musical talent this festive season, as a powerhouse line-up of local choirs and performers come together for St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight, returning to Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama on Saturday 13 December 2025.
With rehearsals already in full swing across Adelaide, hundreds of singers, musicians and dancers are preparing to bring the magic of Christmas to life in what promises to be one of the most spectacular community events of the year. The city’s riverbank will once again transform into a sea of candles and song, as families gather to celebrate this much-loved South Australian tradition.
Uniting on stage will be five of the state’s most accomplished ensembles – Gospo Collective, Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus, Young Adelaide Voices, Adelaide Concert Orchestra and Dancers by Donna – each bringing their own distinct sound, style and energy to the stage. Together, these performers represent the heartbeat of South Australia’s arts community, combining choral, orchestral and dance excellence to deliver a breathtaking night of festive joy and community spirit.
Gospo Collective, led by the dynamic Charmaine Jones, will once again fill Elder Park with their signature harmonies and unmatched energy. Known for their powerful sound, Gospo’s talented adult and junior choirs have become a Carols highlight, capturing the spirit of togetherness that defines the event.
The Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus and Young Adelaide Voices will come together to fill Elder Park with harmonies and festive joy. The Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus, one of South Australia’s most respected community choirs, brings decades of choral excellence and a legacy of powerful performances at major cultural events. Joining them, Young Adelaide Voices adds vibrant energy and youthful talent, known for expressive performances and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of singers.
Accompanying the evening’s artists, the Adelaide Concert Orchestra provide the orchestral sound that underpins every unforgettable Carols moment, from gentle candlelit ballads to big, show-stopping finales.
Finally, adding sparkle and movement, Dancers by Donna will dazzle audiences with their incredible choreography and presence, embodying the joy, colour and energy of Christmas through dance.
Charmaine Jones, Director of Gospo Collective, said: “Carols is one of those rare moments when the whole community comes together through music. We’re so looking forward to sharing that magic again and celebrating this special time of year with Adelaide.”
Hosted by 7NEWS Adelaide’s Rosanna Mangiarelli, Will Goodings and Amelia Mulcahy, this year’s event will be a night of song, family, and festive celebration – all in support of St John SA’s life-saving community work.
St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight 2025 will be broadcast nationally on Channel 7, via 7Two and 7Plus on Sunday 14 December 2025, as well as on Christmas Day.
Join us for the 81st St John Ambulance Carols by Candlelight, a Christmas tradition, on Saturday 13 December at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama. Gates open at 3.00pm with lots of fun activities, competitions and giveaways, a Christmas market, the Mix102.3 Street Crew, delicious food from onsite food trucks, and visit Santa on ground. All this is followed by the entertaining Experience Adelaide Pre-Show Concert at 5.00pm and the main Carols concert starting at 8.30pm, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show.
More information can be found at www.stjohncarols.com.au or follow the Adelaide Carols on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest.
