UPDATE 9.24PM: Organisers estimate about 5,000 people have attended the Carols.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Young and old carol fans have set up picnic rugs and camping chairs in front of the stage.
A number of choirs have performed at the event.
UPDATE 4.30PM: A number of people have staked their spot for tonight's carols.
Karen and Brenton Hawthorne were the first to arrive to set up their chairs at 3pm
The Wilkinson family have also been busy preparing the lighting show for tonight.
The family has volunteered to organise the lights at each Carols event in Bendigo for the past 30 years.
They had their fingers crossed for no rain tonight.
UPDATE 11.24AM:
The community carols will begin tonight at 6.30pm in Rosalind Park.
The event will conclude at 9.30pm.
There will be pre-event entertainment and a barbecue for carol-goers.
UPDATE 10.49AM:
Light rain has just fell on Bendigo.
The rain should ease soon.
Community carols organiser Valerie Broad said the annual event will proceed tonight despite the weather forecast.
UPDATE 8.43AM:
THE Bureau of Meterology is predicting a few showers to be around Bendigo tonight.
Duty forecaster Richard Russell said it would be 'touch and go' if it rained in the city.
"Most of the rain will be east of Bendigo but there will be some showers in the area," he said.
Organiser Valerie Broad said the carols will go ahead despite showers forecast.
"Unless it is a torrent the carols will go ahead," she said.
"There maybe a few showers throughout some of the carols.
"I am encouraging people to bring an umbrella."
EARLIER:
VALERIE Broad is confident Bendigo's annual Christmas carols can attract about 5000 people if the weather is pleasant.
Ms Broad, the event organiser, said a decision had been made to host the carols in Rosalind Park despite thunderstorms forecast for Sunday evening.
"It's amazing how the weather makes a difference to the crowd," she said.
"Hopefully it is kind to us and we get a big turnout on Sunday."
Ms Broad said there was much to look forward to at this year's carols including a "big surprise" later in the evening.
She said there would be lots of entertainment from the Bendigo Youth Performing Choir, City of Greater Bendigo Brass Band, school choirs and soloists.
Ms Broad said Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Reindeer and Santa Claus would make an appearance.
"It is going to be a jolly good time," she said.
"We have some wonderful artists and some great (performers)."
Ms Broad recommended families bring along a picnic rug, an umbrella, insect repellent and their best singing voice.
She said there would be a barbecue.
Entry is free and includes a carols program, with a suggested gold coin donation to go to charity.
Entertainment kicks off at 6.30pm on Sunday.