| Music Festival Name: | Carols in the Domain |
| Location: | The Domain, Sydney, Australia |
| Years Active: | 1983–present |
Carols in the Domain is an annual Australian Christmas concert event held in the Domain Gardens in Sydney. It began in 1983, and features many national and international performers and guest appearances. It is a free event, broadcast around Australia on the Seven Network, and simulcast previously on Smooth FM and currently, on the Hit Network since 2023.[1] The event was held on the last Saturday before Christmas Eve until 2015,[2] [3] before moving to the last Sunday before Christmas Eve since 2016,[4] and has been held on the third Saturday in December since 2021.[5] Carols in the Domain has become one of Australia's largest free Christmas events.[6]
Carols in the Domain was started in 1983 by former Qantas employee Robyn Anne Hobbs, who observed Christmas carol events in Australia and wanted to develop one for Sydney.[7] In an article in The Sydney Morning Herald, she said "I suppose I started Carols in the Domain from a purely selfish point of view because I'm an only child and Christmas and birthdays were always wonderful occasions to celebrate and yet Sydney didn't really have a major Christmas celebration." She chose The Salvation Army as the corresponding charity. The first Carols event in 1983 was attended by 15,000 people.[8] [9] Hosts of the event have included presenters of morning program Sunrise particularly David Koch and Natalie Barr who have co-presented on several occasions, previous presenters have also included Andrew Daddo (on seven occasions), Grant Denyer, (5 occasions), Kate Ritchie, (3 occasions) and Barry Crocker, on (3 occasions). Hobbs was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM – General Division) in 2009 for services to the community in founding Carols in the Domain and her fundraising efforts for the Salvation Army[10]
The main sponsor is designated with naming rights.[11] In 1989, the main sponsor was Esso.[12] In 1996, the main sponsor was Pacific Power, however, because the government had split up the company, they could not fund the sponsorship, but the state government stepped in to sponsor the event,[8] [13] [14] pledging over AUS$300,000.[15] The event was televised for the first time to New Zealand on TVNZ and Southeast Asia on Australia Television.[14] The Sydney Morning Herald also became a sponsor for the event.[16]
In 1997, the naming rights sponsor was RAMS Home Loans.[17] In 2004, the event was called "The Good Guys Good Kid Carols in the Domain". In 2005, the naming rights were assumed to be The Good Guys again,[18] but Woolworths acquired the naming rights and renamed the event to "Woolworths Carols in the Domain", and has retained the name since.[11] As a mark of respect, organisers of the 2014 Carols in the Domain considered cancelling the event because of the Martin Place siege which took place in Sydney earlier that week, but instead decided to hold it, on Saturday 20 December.[19] The 2014 Carols attracted approximately 80,000 people, and also included a tribute to those killed during the siege.[20] Mark Vincent opened the evening by singing You Raise Me Up in honour of the victims, and a minute silence was held.[21]
In December 2020 it was announced that the 2020 event would be held inside, at the Aware Theatre without any audience as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then televised on Wednesday 23 December on Channel 7.[22] [23]
In September 2023, it was announced that Southern Cross Austereo's Hit Network, had become the official radio partner of the Carols.
Carols in the Domain supports both The Salvation Army and The Salvation Army OASIS Youth Support Network through the sale of candle bags during the performance.[24] Oasis seeks to assist homeless youths aged between 16–24 in the inner city of Sydney with emergency housing, case management and training.[25]
All events have included a visit by Santa Claus, and music from local orchestras and choirs.
| Date | Hosts | Guests | Orchestra and choir | Musical director | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 December 1986 | Normie Rowe, Jackie Love, Fabulous Singlettes, Don Spencer | Sydney Conservatorium Orchestra and Chorale, Young Sydney Singers | [26] [27] | ||
| 19 December 1987 | 2MBS FM Children's Choir | [28] | |||
| 17 December 1988 | Ian Turpie | Normie Rowe | [29] | ||
| 22 December 1990 | Barry Crocker | Tina Arena, Jackie Trent, Jeanne Little, Grace Knight, Clare Gormley, Sesame Street Cast | Sydney Youth Orchestra, The Salvation Army Massed Choirs, Cafe of the Gate of Salvation | [30] [31] | |
| 21 December 1991 | Barry Crocker and Jackie Love | Judith Durham, David Hobson, Suzanne Clachair, Mickey and Minnie | The Australian Girls Choir | [32] [33] | |
| 19 December 1992 | Jeanne Little, Suzanne Johnston, Gregory Tomlinson, Peter Cousens, The Wilson Family Singers, John Williamson, Georgie Parker, Tom Burlinson, Noel Ferrier, June Bronhill, The Tin Lids, Tony Hatch, Jackie Trent and Disney (ft. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Daisy Duck and Scrooge McDuck) | The Salvation Army Choir, The Sydney Youth Orchestra. | [34] [35] | ||
| 18 December 1993 | Girlfriend, Toni Pearen, Jackie Love, Rob Guest, Suzanne Johnston, David Hobson, The Wiggles, Lee Kernaghan and Tara Morice | [36] [37] [38] | |||
| 17 December 1994 | Rob Guest | Julie Anthony, Jeffrey Black, The 4 Trax, Eden Gaha, Gina Jeffreys, Toni Pearen, The Wiggles, Rick Price, Jackie Trent, Miriam Gormley, Cinderella Cast, Janice Breen Showgroup | Sydney Children's Choir, Philharmonic Choir, Sydney Youth Orchestra | [39] | |
| 23 December 1995 | Julie Anthony, Peter Cousens, Andrew Daddo, The Wiggles, Monica Trapaga, Home and Away’s Tempany Deckert, Kate Ritchie and Katrina Hobbs, stars of Miss Saigon, Jennifer McGregor, Margaret Urlich, John Waters, Lisa McCune, Janice Breen Showgroup | Sydney Youth Orchestra, Philharmonic Choir, Victorian Boys' Choir | Michael Harvey | [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] | |
| 21 December 1996 | Noni Hazlehurst and John Jarratt | Belinda Emmett, Julia Morris, Human Nature, Troy Cassar-Daley, Georgie Parker and Jim Walton, Miriam Gormley, Roger Lemke, Gregory Tomlinson, Peter Cousens and Maree Johnson, Sharon Millerchip, Adriana de Caires, Peter Combe, Sesame Street cast, Disney Channel, Disney's Snow White, the Prince and Dopey, The Wiggles, Janice Breen Showgroup. | [46] | ||
| 20 December 1997 | Ghillian Sullivan, Roger Lemke, Hugh Jackman, Monica Trapaga, Home and Away stars, Madison McKoy, Disney Channel's Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale, Santa Goofy, Pluto, Donald, The Wiggles, Janice Breen Showgroup | [47] | |||
| 19 December 1998 | Hugh Jackman and Monica Trapaga | Belinda Emmett, CDB, Marie Johnston, David Hobson, Peter Cousens, Dan Tullis Jr., Simon Gallaher, Georgie Parker, Peter Combe, Georgie Parker, Troy Cassar-Daley, John Rowe, Leigh Archer, Janice Breen Showgroup, The Wiggles, Disney Channel (ft. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers, Pocahontas, Meeko, Aladdin, Jasmine, Baloo and Louie from TaleSpin) | Sydney Youth Orchestra, University of Western Sydney Choir, Leichhardt Espresso Chorus | [48] [49] | |
| 18 December 1999 | Andrew Daddo and Belinda Emmett | Vanessa Amorosi, Lisa McCune and The Sound of Music's Von Trapp children, Vika and Linda, The Wiggles, Adam Brand, Ignatius Jones, Disney Channel (ft. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto), Monica Trapaga, Janice Breen Showgroup | [50] [51] [52] | ||
| 23 December 2000 | Andrew Daddo and Katrina Warren | Anthony Warlow, Amelia Farrugia, Peter Hobson, Nikki Webster, Belinda Emmett, Adam Brand, Bardot, Jimmy Little, Todd McKenney, Caroline Craig, Glenn Shorrock, Rachel Marley, Doug Parkinson, Danielle G'aha, Tim Draxl, Morgan Crowley, Maryanne Fogarty, The Wiggles, Monica Trapaga, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Janice Breen Showgroup | Sydney Youth Orchestra, Singers 2000, Australian Youth Choir, Beethoven Society | [53] [54] | |
| 22 December 2001 | Caroline Craig, Nikki Webster, Sister2Sister, Simon Burke, Bardot, Rob Guest, Clare Gormley, Troy Cassar-Daley, Georgie Parker, Hayley Westenra, Beccy Cole, Amelia Farrugia, Scandal'us, The Wiggles, Monica Trapaga, The Disney Channel with Colin Buchanan, Mickey and Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Daisy, Pluto, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Janice Breen Showgroup | Sydney Youth Orchestra, Tenor Australis, Beethoven Society Choir | [55] | ||
| 21 December 2002 | Rob Guest, Julie Anthony, Adam Brand, Rebecca Cartwright, Tom Burlinson, Caroline Craig, Cameron Daddo, Belinda Emmett, David Hobson, Marcia Hines, Melinda Schneider, Selwyn, Shu Cheen Yu, Katie Underwood, Wayne Scott Kermond, Scott Cain, Daniel Bowden, Natasha Lee, Carolettes, The Wiggles, Disney Channel (ft. Sorcerer Mickey), Janice Breen Showgroup, John Farnham | Sydney Youth Orchestra, Beethoven Society Choir, Australian Girls Choir, Jubilation Gospel Choir | [56] | ||
| 20 December 2003 | Kane Alexander, Julie Anthony, Rachael Beck, The Carolettes, Troy Cassar-Daley, Peter Cousens, Eran, Amelia Farrugia, David Hobson, Stars of The Lion King, Todd McKenney, Mercury 4, Amanda Muggleton, Georgie Parker, s2s, Melinda Schneider, Katie Underwood, The Wiggles, Disney Channel, Janice Breen Showgroup | [57] [58] | |||
| 18 December 2004 | Andrew Daddo and Bec Cartwright | Kane Alexander, Rachael Beck, Ian Stenlake, Bella, Tim Campbell, Cosima De Vito, Clare Gormley, David Hobson, Janice Breen Showgroup, Lee Kernaghan, Todd McKenney, Andrew O'Keefe, Chloe Dallimore, Guy Sebastian, Reg Livermore, Cast of We Will Rock You, Ross Wilson, Shu Cheen Yu, The Wiggles | [59] [60] | ||
| 17 December 2005 | Andrew Daddo and Jennifer Hawkins | Todd McKenney, Sophie Monk, Shannon Noll, the Janice Breen Showgroup, Georgie Parker, Paulini, Human Nature, Christine Anu, Nikki Webster, Tim Campbell, Adam Brand, Beccy Cole, Amelia Farrugia, Tenor Australis, a Disney spectacular (ft. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck), The Wiggles, Patrizio Buanne, Leo Sayer, David Hasselhoff | Sydney Youth Orchestra, The Salvation Army Choir, Jubilation | [61] | |
| 16 December 2006 | Grant Denyer and Shelley Craft | Adam Harvey, Chloe Dallimore, Damien Leith, David Hobson, Deni Hines, Guy Sebastian, Human Nature, Jade MacRae, The Janice Breen Showgroup, Melinda Schneider, MiG, Rachael Beck, Raggs, The Wiggles, Tim Campbell, Young Divas, Yvonne Kenny | Sydney Youth Orchestra, The Salvation Army Choir, Australian Girls Choir, Jubilation | NOTE: The first year for Sam Moran, filling in for Greg Page as a yellow wiggle.[62] [63] [64] | |
| 22 December 2007 | Tina Arena, Yvonne Kenny, Christine Anu, Tim Campbell, Rachael Beck, Adam Brand, Troy Cassar-Daley, Songbirds, Raggs, The Wiggles, Doug Parkinson, Human Nature, Paulini, Janice Breen Showgroup, David Hobson, Ricki-Lee Coulter, Ross Wilson, Alvin and the Chipmunks | Sydney Youth Orchestra, The Salvation Army Choir, Australian Girls Choir, Jubilation, Australian Contemporary Singers | Michael Harvey, Jamie Rigg | [65] [66] [67] | |
| 20 December 2008 | Brian McFadden, Shannon Noll, Guy Sebastian, Paulini, Delta Goodrem, Charli Robinson, Melinda Schneider, David Hobson, High School Musical on Stage!, Christine Anu & Deni Hines, The Wiggles, University of Newcastle Chamber Choir, Rachael Beck, Amelia Farrugia, ARYA, Janice Breen Showgroup, Justine Clarke, Battle of the Choirs Judges | Sydney Youth Orchestra, Australian Girls Choir, The Salvation Army Choir, Jubilation Gospel Group | Jamie Rigg | [68] [69] | |
| 19 December 2009 | The Wiggles, Justine Clarke, Adam Brand, The McClymonts, Georgie Parker, Mark Vincent, cast of Wicked the Musical, Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and The Little Hillbillies, Katherine Jenkins, Kate Ceberano, Ronan Keating, Leo Sayer, Engelbert Humperdinck | Sydney Youth Orchestra, Australian Girls Choir, The Salvation Army Choir, Sydney Childrens Choir, Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir | Graeme Press | [70] [71] [72] [73] | |
| 18 December 2010 | Grant Denyer and Kylie Gillies | The Wiggles, Janice Breen Showgroup, Georgie Parker, Mark Vincent, Felicity Urquhart, Greta Bradman, Charli Robinson, Jersey Boys, Troy Cassar-Daley, Straalen McCallum, Josh Groban, Stan Walker, Justice Crew, Cassie Davis, Tap Dogs | Sydney Youth Orchestra, Australian Girls Choir | NOTE: The last year for Sam Moran and his group until 2012.[74] [75] | |
| 17 December 2011 | Grant Denyer and Natalie Barr | Paulini, Amelia Farrugia, Cosentino, Judith Durham, The Fairies, Brian McFadden, Melinda Schneider, Georgie Parker, Todd McKenney, Danielle Spencer, Shannon Noll, Toybox, Damien Leith, Hugh Sheridan, David Campbell, Mark Vincent, Jack Vidgen, Tania Doko, Jay Laga'aia, Justice Crew, Michael Bublé, Justine Clarke, The cast of Annie, Katie Noonan & Elixir, Chloe Dallimore | Sydney Youth Orchestra, Australian Girls Choir, Jubilation Gospel Group, The Salvation Army Choir, Sydney Children's Choir | [76] [77] | |
| 22 December 2012 | Matt White and Natalie Barr | Sid & Scrat, Georgie Parker, Mark Vincent, Jay Laga'aia, Samantha Jade, The Collective, Rachael Beck, cast of Legally Blonde the Musical, The Wiggles, Jessica Mauboy, Ali McGregor, John Waters, The Ten Tenors, Doug Parkinson, Troy Cassar-Daley, Justice Crew, Johnny Ruffo, Rod Stewart, Emma Birdsall | Australian Girls Choir, The Salvation Army Choir, Sydney Youth Orchestra | [78] [79] [80] | |
| 21 December 2013 | Matt White and Melissa Doyle | Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, The Wiggles, Jessica Mauboy, Human Nature, Samantha Jade, Johnny Ruffo, Stan Walker, Dami Im, Jai Waetford, Mark Vincent, Amanda Harrison, Justine Clarke, Tre-Belle Pop-Opera Trio,cast of Grease the Musical, cast of Strictly Ballroom the Musical, cast of Angelina Ballerina the Mousical, Kelly Clarkson | Sydney Youth Orchestra, Australian Girls Choir, Jubilation Gospel Group, The Salvation Army Choir | NOTE: The first year for Simon Pryce, filling in for Murray Cook as a red wiggle after his retirement.[81] [82] [83] [84] | |
| 20 December 2014 | David Koch, Samantha Armytage, Mark Beretta and Natalie Barr | Samantha Jade, Dami Im, Mark Vincent, Taylor Henderson, Lee Kernaghan, The McClymonts, Adam Garcia, Judith Durham, cast of Wicked the Musical, The Wiggles, Jay Laga'aia, Georgie Parker, Marlisa, Nathaniel Willemse, Paulini, Christine Anu, Doug Parkinson | The Salvation Army Choir, Australian Girls Choir, Jubilation Gospel Group | [85] [86] | |
| 19 December 2015 | Adam Brand, Cyrus Villanueva, Georgie Parker, Jay Laga'aia, Dami Im, Johnny Ruffo, Justice Crew, Justine Clarke, Ky Baldwin, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Mark Vincent, Nathaniel Willemse, Samantha Jade, Swing on This, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, cast of The Sound of Music, The Wiggles | [87] | |||
| 18 December 2016 | Jessica Mauboy, Dami Im, Paulini Curuenavuli, Harrison Craig, The Wiggles, Swing on This, John Paul Young, Leo Sayer, The McClymonts, Georgie Parker, Todd McKenney, Shannon Noll, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Mark Vincent, Ky Baldwin, Jay Laga'aia and his 7/8 kids, Isaiah Firebrace, Natalie Ong, stars of Australian Opera | The Salvation Army Australia Choir, The Australian Girls Choir, Jubilation Gospel Group and dancers from the Janice Breen Performance Studio. | [88] [89] | ||
| 17 December 2017 | Dami Im, Todd McKenney, Big T, stars of Australian Opera, Adam Harvey & Beccy Cole, Mickey Mouse, Jay Lag'aia and his 7/8 kids, Lucy Durack, Samantha Jade, Justice Crew, Penny McNamee, cast of The Wizard of Oz: The Musical, Jersey Boys, Michael Cormick, Justine Clarke, The Wiggles, CBD, Katie Noonan | [90] | |||
| 22 December 2018 | The Wiggles, Penny McNamee, Jack Jones, Rachael Beck, Ashleigh Rubenach, the leads from Muriel's Wedding the Musical-Natalie Abbott & Elizabeth Esguerra, Troy Cassar-Daley, Mickey Mouse, Todd McKenney, cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical, Ross Wilson, Thirsty Merc, Paulini Curuenavuli, Isaiah Firebrace, Matt Lee, The Tap Pack, Mark Vincent, Samantha Jade, stars of Australian Opera | The Salvation Army Australia Choir, The Australian Girls Choir, Jubilation Gospel Group and dancers from the Janice Breen Performance Studio, the Sydney youth orchestra | [91] | ||
| 21 December 2019 | David Koch and Natalie Barr | Paulini, Penny McNamee, Vanessa Amorosi, Shannon Noll, Adam Brand, Lucy Durack, Harrison Craig, Todd McKenney, Mark Vincent, Mirusia Louwerse, The Wiggles, Mickey Mouse, Ashleigh Rubenach, Olina Loau, Jay Laga’aia and family, Hans the German | The Salvation Army Australia Choir, The Australian Girls Choir, The Sydney Male Choir, the Sydney Youth Orchestra and dancers from the Janice Breen Performance Studio & ED5 International | [92] [93] [94] | |
| 23 December 2020 | Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies | Hugh Sheridan, Penny McNamee, Todd McKenney, Shannon Noll, Leo Sayer, Rachael Beck, Mark Vincent, Amber Lawrence, Stephen Madsen, Ashleigh Rubenach, The Wiggles, The Tap Pack, Samantha Jade, Drummer Queens, The cast of Frozen the Musical, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Annie Jones, Robbie Williams | The Sydney Youth Orchestra, The Salvation Army Choir, dancers from Janice Breen Performance Studio & ED5 International, The Australian Girls Choir | [95] | |
| 18 December 2021 | David Koch and Natalie Barr | Carrie Underwood, Mark Vincent, Phil Burton, Penny McNamee, Stefanie Caccamo, Violeta Bozanic, Big T, The Wiggles, Isaiah Firebrace, Samantha Jade, Jordan & Sian Fuller, Bella Taylor Smith, Jay Laga’aia, Melinda Schneider, Paulini, Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse, Young Stars of Australian Opera, | The Sydney Youth Orchestra, The Salvation Army Choir, dancers from Janice Breen Performance Studio & Brent Street, The Australian Girls Choir | [96] | |
| 17 December 2022 | Andrea Bocelli, Mark Vincent, Phil Burton, Chloe Zuel, Rachael Beck, The Leads from Moulin Rouge! The Musical- Alinta Chidzey & Des Flanagan, Leo Sayer, Rhonda Burchmore, The Wiggles, Todd McKenney, Samantha Jade, Silvia Colloca, Lachie Gill, Paulini, Hugh Sheridan, The Cast of Cinderella the Musical, Tom Burlinson, Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse, Young Stars of Australian Oprea, | The Sydney Youth Orchestra, The Salvation Army Choir, dancers from Janice Breen Performance Studio & ED5 International, The Australian Girls Choir, Rejoice Gospel Choir | [97] | ||
| 16 December 2023 | Matt Shirvington and Natalie Barr | Dami Im, Casey Donovan, Rhonda Burchmore, Jonathan Antoine, Silvia Colloca, Tarryn Stokes, Blake Bowden, Matt Lee, Ben Mingay, Paulini, Lucy Durack, David Berry, Big T, Mahalia Barnes, The Wiggles,, Young Stars of Australian Opera | Chong Lim | [98] |