At a glance
- Where
- Whitehorse Civic Centre Precinct and The Round, 399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading VIC 3131
- When
- Saturday 19 December 2026; activities and food from 5:30pm, live carols on stage from 6:30pm
- Cost
- Free; no booking or registration needed
- Line-up
- Casey Donovan and Kings of Christmas, starring Rob Mills and Bobby Fox
- Getting there
- Nunawading Station is about 1km, a 10-minute walk; parking at the Civic Centre and Walker Park is limited
- Who it’s for
- Families in Whitehorse and the inner east looking for a free Christmas evening with rides, food trucks and a stage show
- What to do now
- Save the date; the organisers recommend walking, riding, carpooling or public transport, and Creative Whitehorse has an email list for updates
- Last checked
- Sunday 8 November 2026, against the Creative Whitehorse Whitehorse Carols page
- Not yet confirmed
- The full running order and which rides will be there; the page lists them in general terms only
Whitehorse Carols on Saturday 19 December 2026 is free and needs no booking, with activities from 5:30pm and the live show from 6:30pm at the Whitehorse Civic Centre Precinct and The Round in Nunawading.
The headline names are Casey Donovan and Kings of Christmas, starring Rob Mills and Bobby Fox. Everything below comes from the Creative Whitehorse carols page, checked on 8 November 2026. The page’s details box gives the date as Saturday 19 December 2026.
What time does Whitehorse Carols start?
| Time | What the organisers say |
|---|---|
| From 5:30pm | Free rides, face painting, roving entertainment, food trucks and a special visit from Santa |
| From 6:30pm | Live performances on stage, with the audience on the lawn; the page’s details box lists 6:30pm to 9:30pm |
The FAQ says you can arrive at any time. It also says Santa will appear during the carols and be available for family photos throughout the night.
How do I get to Whitehorse Carols by public transport?
The carols return to the grounds of the Whitehorse Civic Centre Precinct and the new The Round, at 399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading.
| Mode | What Creative Whitehorse says |
|---|---|
| Train | The closest station is Nunawading, on the Belgrave and Lilydale line, about 1km or a 10-minute walk from the site; from there you can take a taxi, a ride-sharing service or a connecting bus |
| Bus | McCulloch Street and Whitehorse Road, on the 901 route, is the closest stop and a short walk away; Nunawading Station is also served by the 273, 902 and 735 |
The Round advises checking for changes to schedules, routes or disruptions before you travel.
Can I park at Whitehorse Carols?
Parking is limited. Creative Whitehorse lists limited parking at the Whitehorse Civic Centre and Walker Park, and recommends walking, riding your bike, carpooling or public transport where possible. Accessible parking is in the eastern car park of The Round, entered from Whitehorse Road. For the council’s rules on parking and fines in the area, see the Whitehorse parking guide.
What can I bring?
| Question | Answer on the carols page |
|---|---|
| Own food | Yes, picnics are welcome; food trucks and dessert stalls will also be there |
| Chairs | Low chairs and rugs can go anywhere; higher camping chairs must be set up in the designated rear lawn area |
| What to bring | A picnic rug or low chair, a reusable water bottle, sun protection and warm layers for later in the evening |
| Shade tents or marquees | Not allowed; bring a hat and sun protection |
| Water | Multiple water refill points on site |
| Glass | Not allowed; the event is glass free, so BYO drinks must be in non-breakable containers |
| Dogs | Allowed but not recommended because of crowds and noise; they must be on a leash and under control |
| Drones | Not permitted |
| Smoking and vaping | Not allowed; the event is smoke and vape free |
Are there fireworks, and what about the weather?
There are no fireworks at Whitehorse Carols. The organisers say the event will continue in most weather conditions, so dress appropriately. If conditions become unsafe, updates will be posted on the Whitehorse City Council and Creative Whitehorse social media pages.
What accessibility features are there?
| Feature | Where or how |
|---|---|
| Chill out space | A quiet, calm space on level one of The Round |
| Auslan | On-stage interpreters throughout the main show, also shown on a big screen |
| Accessible viewing area | Designated, with easy access from the footpath |
| Changing Places facility | Fully equipped larger changing facility on the ground floor of The Round |
| Toilets | Accessible toilets in The Round and the Civic Centre; all-gender toilets at The Round |
| Parents room | In both The Round and the Civic Centre |
| Accessible parking | Eastern car park of The Round, entered via Whitehorse Road |
What about lost children, lost property and smart glasses?
Lost children and lost property are taken to the Information Tent. The page also says smart glasses with built-in cameras or recording technology are not permitted, to protect the privacy of attendees including children. That line appears on the carols page but names another Whitehorse event, so check the rule with Creative Whitehorse before you go.
How do I get updates?
Creative Whitehorse invites people to join its mailing list for carols updates and other events during the year. For questions about the event or its accessibility, the page points to the Creative Whitehorse team.
Sources
- Creative Whitehorse: Whitehorse Carols (date, times, line-up, getting there, accessibility and FAQs; checked 8 November 2026)
Featured image: Westbound view of the island platform at Nunawading station, October 2025 (photo: LachlanTansey / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Whitehorse City Council, Creative Whitehorse or The Round. Event details can change; check the Creative Whitehorse page before you go.