Enjoy performances by young locals including Bondi Beach Public School and School Of Arts Academy of Dance. Followed by special guest Kirsten Busby, and the iconic Bondi Brass lead by Music Director Cassy Darvall, bring you all the festive songs you know and love to sing along to. We welcome Bondi local and familiar face Eve Wheeler to the Carols stage as our host and delightful performer for the afternoon. There will be free face painting for the kids, and we might even get a special visit from Santa himself!

To add to the all the fun, WAYS will be hosting their always popular Sausage Sizzle to raise funds for their important work and make sure to grab an ice-cold treat from the Ice Cream Van. A brilliant time to share with all your friends and family and a staple of the Bondi calendar, a festive evening not to be missed.

CAROLS LINE UP:

MC & Special Guest Performer Eve Wheeler 

A Bondi resident 20 years, Eve Wheeler brings more than 30 years of experience in singing, recording, performance, and music education across jazz, cabaret, musical theatre, and original music. Her work spans Australia, New York, London, Europe, and the Middle East!

Be sure to welcome Eve to the Carols By The Sea stage!

MD Cassy Bartolomei

Cassy Bartolomei is a lifelong Bondi local and has performed professionally for over 30 years. She has worked with many different groups but particularly with her Latin Jazz band; Cassy and the Bossa Beats.

She also teaches singing at 2 local schools: Bondi Beach Public School and Rose Bay Secondary College & hosts the Waverley Council's Citizenship ceremonies.

Cassy has been leading the Carols for many years now so she’s expecting big things from you all! 

Make sure you sing up!

YOUTH PROGRAM

Bondi Beach Public School Recorder Group

The BBPS Recorder Ensemble, led by Stuart West, includes students from Years 2 to 6.

They regularly perform at a range of school and community events including: Festival of Instrumental Music at the Opera House and Festival of Winds here in Bondi. 

The repertoire of this dynamic group ranges from baroque, swing, pop and rock. 

Today they will perform Bluz for Suz, an up- tempo big band style tune composed by Australian musician Andrew Robertson and a few toe tapping contemporary classics. See if you can guess them.

Bondi Beach Public School Choir 

Coming up is the Bondi Beach Public School Choir led by Cassy Bartolomei.

This choir of 8 to 10 year olds has an exciting annual program of performances at various local civic events:   including The North Bondi RSL ANZAC Day Dawn Service, to Festival of the Winds, and the Spring St Fair.

They will be leading us in a couple of favourite Christmas songs and then perform 'Christmas in Bondi'.

Written by Bondi locals, Cassy and Michael Bartolomei this has become a staple to our carols program, celebrating what it is to have a Bondi Christmas!

Please join in with our young local singers.

School of Arts Academy of Dance

School of Arts Academy of Dance is the longest established dance school in Bondi operating for over 30 years and offering RAD ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary dance classes. As a community-based dance school, students have the opportunity to perform locally and build friendships through the common interest of dance.

CAROLS ARTISTS

Cool Yule

Three of Sydney’s most prominent jazz musicians will join our carols’ programme tonight, as the trio Cool Yule. With Michael Bartolomei on keyboard, Brett Hirst on bass, and Cameron Reid on drums we are in for some musical Christmas delicacies.

Bondi Brass

The Waverley Bondi Beach Band, now playing as Bondi Brass, was established in 1959 by Cliff Goodchild. Tonight they will be led by conductor David Coit.

We are privileged to have in Waverley one of the few professional brass bands remaining in the Sydney metropolitan area. The band is in constant demand for special occasions and events, and our carols would not be the same without them.

Kirsten Busby

Kirsten Busby is an Australian soprano based in Sydney. She has performed with CoOperative, Rockdale Opera, Concordia Ensemble, Opera Hunter, Gente Gente, Troupe Viva, and Opera Lyrica, appearing as a soloist in opera gala concerts, community performances, and corporate events. In October 2026, she will make her role debut as Katisha in Opera Hunter’s production of The Mikado.

In 2024, Kirsten began refining her artistry under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed tenor Glenn Winslade. Her repertoire spans lyric Italian opera, German lieder, and other works.

A legally blind musician, Kirsten performs from Braille music and works alongside her guide dog, Kimba, bringing a distinctive perspective to her artistry. She is passionate about broadening accessibility within the performing arts while maintaining a strong commitment to artistic excellence.

FOOD AND ACTIVITIES

Ice-cream Van

Yummy ice-cream will be available for purchase throughout the evening. 

Face Painters

Free face painting for with Little Feet Events, kids can get festive designs throughout the evening. [Note: facepainting will cease at 7:30pm]

BBQ

WAYS Youth will be running their BBQ again this year; by grabbing a snag you’ll be helping support WAYS Youth. 

About WAYS Youth Services 

·       WAYS is an iconic, not-for-profit community organisation providing a range of education and support services to young people and their families across the Eastern, Inner and Southern suburbs of Sydney and has been doing so since 1979.

·       Their mission is to work with young people aged 9 to 25 years and create positive future pathways.

·       Their services include recreation, education and training, case management, counselling, health promotion and clinical services.

·       Boasting a purpose-built youth centre at Bondi Beach (where many of our services are located) and a second facility located in Bondi Junction, WAYS is open 6 days a week and provides support and activities in a youth-friendly environment delivered by a team of committed professionals.

·       With yearly running costs of close to $2 million, WAYS receives limited government funding and relies on the generous support and contributions from businesses, trusts and foundations, and individuals, as well as our fundraising events and more, to keep our programs and services running.

THINGS TO NOTE

• This is an alcohol and glass free event. 
• This is a popular event with large crowds, please consider using public transport where possible. 
• Prams are not to be left near the stage area. There will not be a designated pram parking area, we suggest where possible leaving prams in vechiles or at home. 
• In the event of adverse weather Carols By The Sea may be cancelled, please check Waverley Council's social media pages for updates.