At a glance
- When
- Friday 11 December 2026, 6pm to 10pm (Melbourne time, daylight saving)
- Where
- Ruffey Lake Park, George Street, Doncaster
- Cost
- Free, but ticketed: you register on the council’s event page
- Program
- 6pm pre-show entertainment, 7:15pm main concert, 9:30pm fireworks finale (about 8 minutes, weather permitting)
- Hosts
- Hugh Sheridan and Bella Craig
- Parking
- Limited. Free parking inside Ruffey Lake Park, entry from King Street; drop-off zone on George Street, eastbound only
- Who it’s for
- Families and anyone in Melbourne’s inner east who wants a free carols night with fireworks in Doncaster
- What to do now
- Register on the council’s event page; the council says registering gets you event information, including any updates in severe weather
- Last checked
- Thursday 5 November 2026, against the Manningham Council event page
- Not yet confirmed
- Public transport (the council’s page does not list a route), the number of free tickets, and any change to the program
Manningham Carols by Candlelight is free but ticketed, runs from 6pm to 10pm on Friday 11 December 2026 at Ruffey Lake Park in Doncaster, and parking is limited, so the council suggests you walk, cycle or get dropped off. The main concert starts at 7:15pm and the fireworks at 9:30pm. This guide uses only what Manningham Council has published, checked on 5 November 2026, and says where the council has not given details.
Do I need a ticket if it is free?
Yes. The council calls it a free but ticketed event and says that by registering you will receive important event information, including any updates in the case of severe weather. Registrations opened on Wednesday 4 November 2026, and the council’s event page has a Reserve your spot button. The page does not say how many tickets are available or whether a ticket is checked at the gate. For questions, the council’s events team is on 9840 9333 or events@manningham.vic.gov.au.
What time does everything start?
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6pm | Pre-show entertainment: the Veneto Club Choir and the Toepaz Academy, community stallholders, food trucks and a Rotary Manningham City sausage sizzle |
| 7:15pm | Main concert, hosted by Hugh Sheridan and Bella Craig |
| 9:30pm | Fireworks finale, about 8 minutes, weather permitting |
Who is performing at the main concert?
The council says the concert features favourite carols performed by local and national groups and artists. Hugh Sheridan is described as a leading actor, singer and television presenter known for his Logie-winning role in Packed to the Rafters. Bella Craig is described as a singer-songwriter known for her work in the Melbourne music scene. The council’s list of performers is:
| Performer | How the council describes them |
|---|---|
| All-Star Carols Band | Musicians providing the soundtrack to Christmas, with festive favourites and crowd-pleasing classics |
| Manningham Concert Band | One of Manningham’s premier community ensembles, playing jazz, contemporary and classical music |
| William Le Brun | Vocalist blending classic swing, jazz and contemporary pop; a Top 6 finalist on Australian Idol in 2025 |
| Jordan Ravi | Singer-songwriter who has been on America’s Got Talent and on stage with Tones And I and Amy Shark |
| Stephen Coutts | Operatic baritone who has performed with leading arts organisations across Australia |
| Laylah | Vocalist with more than a decade of formal training |
| CHIME Choir | Award-winning choir with more than 40 years of performing |
| Katrina Couroyannis | Manningham local; singer, actor and dancer, from Australia’s Got Talent to Victorian Opera |
| Cara Chong | A 14-year-old vocalist, principal vocalist in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular from 2024 to 2026 |
| Grace Forster | Emerging performer with a growing audience across Australia |
| Sonya | Australian artist of Persian heritage with songs featured in film and television |
| Richard Thomas | Musical theatre performer in Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins and Chicago; at Carols by Candlelight for more than 25 years |
The council has not published a set order or individual set times for these performers.
Where do I park, and where is the drop-off zone?
The council says parking is limited and asks you to plan ahead and, if possible, walk, cycle or get dropped off at the event.
| Option | What the council says |
|---|---|
| Drop-off zone | On George Street, eastbound only, on the Ruffey Lake Park side. Follow the signs |
| Free parking | Inside Ruffey Lake Park, entry from King Street, then a short walk through the park to the event site |
| Accessible parking | Limited, on site, for people with accessible parking permits. Email events@manningham.vic.gov.au to secure a spot and get directions |
The council’s page heading mentions road closures, but the text under it lists none. The page also does not name a train station, tram or bus route.
What should I bring, and what is not allowed?
- Bring a picnic rug or a low-back, fold-up chair. There is a designated rugs-only zone in front of the stage for visibility.
- Bring a torch, warm clothes and comfortable shoes.
- Bring a reusable water bottle to fill at the free water station.
- Picnics are welcome, and food is also available to buy.
- Do not bring tents, marquees, glassware, or fireworks or pyrotechnics of any type.
- Leave pets at home. It is a smoke and vape free event.
What food is there?
You can bring a picnic or buy from the food trucks. Rotary Manningham City will run a sausage sizzle, and the council says the funds raised go back into the local community. The council has not named the food trucks.
What if I live nearby, or have a pet?
The fireworks start at 9:30pm and run for about 8 minutes. The council asks people to leave pets at home so they are not frightened, and says that if you live nearby you should secure your pets in a safe, comfortable location during the display. In high winds and extreme weather, including a declared total fire ban day, the fireworks will not proceed. The council has not published a wet-weather plan for the rest of the night; registering is how it says you will get updates in severe weather.
What is available for people who need accessible options?
- A large screen next to the stage.
- An Auslan interpreter.
- Accessible toilets.
- Accessible parking, arranged by email to events@manningham.vic.gov.au.
The park is on a natural grassed slope. There are paved pathways from the accessible parking zone to the stage area, which the council says is about a 100m to 150m walk.
What if someone gets lost or hurt?
The council’s information marquee is next to the main stage, and its team can help with queries and lost children. Free child wristbands are available so you can write your details on them in case you get separated, and the council suggests the marquee as a place to meet if that happens. Qualified first-aid officers will be next to the information marquee. The page also tells anyone who needs help on the night to visit Manningham’s information tent next to the main stage, and it describes the evening as live music, entertainment, food and a fireworks finale under the stars, with families and friends invited to gather.
What should I do before 11 December?
- Register on the council’s event page.
- Decide how you will arrive: walking, cycling or a drop-off on George Street, or free parking via King Street.
- If you need accessible parking, email events@manningham.vic.gov.au early.
- Pack a rug or low-back chair, a torch, warm clothes and a water bottle, and leave pets at home.
Sources
- Manningham Council: Manningham Carols by Candlelight 2026 (date, program, performers, parking, rules, accessibility; checked 5 November 2026)
Featured image: View from the rear of the 2024 Manningham Carols by Candlelight in Ruffey Lake Park (photo: Philip Mallis / CC BY-SA 2.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Manningham Council. Times and details can change; check the council’s event page before you go.