Nelson Bay's community Christmas event will feature even more food options, children's activities and Port Stephens performers when it returns for another year on Sunday, December 15.
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Carols at the Bay, a combined churches of the Tomaree Peninsula event, is being organised by C3 Spectrum Church this year.
Jess Stalder from the Anna Bay-based church said this year's carols will be "entertaining" and a "real celebration of community".
"All those things you've come to expect from the carols will be there this year but we have added more food options to add to the festivities," she said.
"Experienced singers from our community will be leading the carols this year. We wanted to showcase the wealth of talent we have here in the local area."
The evening will begin in Fly Point Park at 5.30pm with performances from schools, dance studios and other community groups.
The carols will begin at 7pm and run until 9pm when fireworks will be set off from a barge on the water. Santa will stop by at 8pm.
Singers from The Studio and Spectrum will entertain and lead the community in singing Christmas carols. Ms Stalder said the community was being encouraged to sing along to the performances on stage, and that song books would be available to purchase.
There will be a nativity scene for photos and a children's activity tent. All children will receive a small gift on the night.
"This is a real family event," Ms Stalder said. "It will be a really entertaining evening and a real celebration of community."
Proceeds from song book and glow stick sales on the night will be donated to international children's charity Compassion and Destiny Haven, a Hunter-based residential program for women.
The Salvation Army will also be collecting donations for its bushfire appeal.
Due to the popularity of Carols at the Bay, Ms Stalder encouraged families to find a spot to sit in the park before the carols event kicked off.
The major sponsors of the 2019 Carols at the Bay are: Salamander Bay Square, Port Stephens Council, the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, Salamander Bay Recycling, Colorfast, Nelson Bay Health Foods, Woolworths Nelson Bay, Nelson Bay Cinema and Port Stephens Packaging.