Carols by Candlelight is an Australian Christmas tradition that originated in Melbourne and now spread around the world. The first Carols by Candlelight were held in Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne in 1938, attended by around 10,000 people.

Norman Banks, a 3KZ radio announcer was walking home from his night-time radio shift on Christmas Eve in 1937, when he passed a window and saw an elderly woman inside sitting up in bed, listening to Away in a Manger being played on the radio and singing along, with her face being lit by candlelight.

Wondering how many others spent Christmas alone, he had the idea to invite people to a group event and sing Christmas carols together by candlelight.

Carols by Candlelight was held in Alexandra Gardens from 1938 to 1958 and then moved to the newly constructed Sidney Myer Music Bowl in 1959. Funds raised on the night are donated to Vision Australia (formerly the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind). Today, the largest Carols by Candlelight is held annually at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne's King's Domain Gardens on Christmas Eve. 

According to onlymelbourne.com.au