There’s something magic about hearing Silent Night echo through a pub while candles flicker on every table and along the bar. After a wildly popular return in 2024, Carols by Candlelight at the Pub is back again this Christmas, lighting up venues across South Australia with music, food and community festive spirit.
The free family-friendly series will run from late November through Christmas Eve, taking over seven local pubs including the Sussex Hotel in Walkerville, the Maylands Hotel, the Feathers Hotel in Burnside, and regional favourites in Clare, Mount Gambier and Whyalla.
Each event promises an evening of glowing candles, hearty meals and all your favourite popular carols.
“Pubs are a community staple. A meeting place for everyone,” says Lee Cook, General Manager of Hospitality at Matthews Hospitality Group.
“Christmas embraces love, kindness and celebrates family, friends, and food. So, we thought, let’s bring Christmas to the pub.”
The idea began with a desire to create something more heartfelt than commercial.
“Live music has always been a part of local pub entertainment. So why not make it a Christmas band?” Lee says.
That simple idea has since grown into a most joyful seasonal tradition.
At the Sussex Hotel, where the event has become a local highlight, guests can expect a candlelit dining experience paired with sing-along classics and a community fundraising spirit.
The Maylands Hotel will host its second carols event this year, following the success of its inaugural performance in 2024, which packed out the venue with smiling families and carol enthusiasts.
Each evening begins at 7:30pm, with one dinner sitting per night.
“At some venues last year, walk-ins had to stand because the dining rooms were full,” Lee recalls.
“That’s how popular it was. It really became a gathering point for families to connect and have fun.”
This year’s line-up features three of South Australia’s favourite performers, David Salter, Claire McEvoy and Phil Short, each bringing warmth, wit and talent to the stage.
Whether guests are enjoying dinner, sipping a drink or joining in on a chorus, the festive sound carries through every space and even neighbours and passers-by enjoy the melody that fills the air.
It’s not all planned, though.
“Last year, we had kids dancing in the aisles and even Santa jumping on stage to sing along at the Salisbury Hotel,” Lee says with a grin.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, hands down, gets the biggest reaction. But Silent Night comes in a very close second.”
Each venue will also support a local charity with gold coin donations collected on the night.
The Eyre Hotel in Whyalla will raise funds for the Wellness Sisters, while the Feathers Hotel will support the Flinders Foundation.
With its blend of music, candles, laughter and community connection, Carols by Candlelight at the Pub has quickly become a South Australian Christmas favourite.
As Lee puts it, it’s all about “bringing people together to celebrate what matters most.”
Bookings for dinner are essential, and if the packed bistros of last year are anything to go by, the smart move is to book early.
Here’s the full list of Carols by Candlelight at the Pub 2025
Adelaide & Metro
Salisbury Hotel, Salisbury – Saturday, 29 November at 7:30pm
Maylands Hotel, Maylands – Wednesday, 17 December at 7:30pm
The Sussex Hotel, Walkerville – Sunday, 21 December at 7:30pm
Feathers Hotel, Burnside – Christmas Eve, Wednesday, 24 December at 7:30pm
Regional South Australia
Eyre Hotel, Whyalla – Saturday, 22 November at 7:30pm
Mount Gambier Hotel, Mount Gambier – Saturday, 6 December at 7:30pm
Bentleys Hotel, Clare – Saturday, 20 December at 7:30pm
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