Venue
Plan to get to the venue early to avoid the queues waiting to see such performers as our event Ambassador, Anthony Callea.
There are many ways to get to the Bowl.
Federation Square Live Site
Sidney Myer Music Bowl - Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight®
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is located in the gardens of King's Domain Park, close to Linlithgow Avenue in the City of Melbourne. Check Melways reference 2F K8.
The Music Bowl is easily located with permanent directional signs to guide visitors.
Access to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl via public transport including trams, trains and buses is relatively simple.
Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight® is also broadcast in Federation Square where you can take your picnic and enjoy pre-show entertainment from 6:00pm before the live broadcast, which begins at 8.00pm.
For further information on how to get to the venue by public transport, visit the Metlink website or phone 131 638. TTY is available on (03) 9619 2727
For guests outside of Melbourne requiring more information about accommodation, food and wine, activities and attractions, please check out the Visit Victoria website.
Time
4.30pm: Sidney Myer Music Bowl gates will open
6pm: Pre-show entertainment
7.45pm: All guests seated
8 - 10.30pm: Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight®
- It is not uncommon for queues to start forming as early as the morning of the event.
- Guests with general admission lawn tickets who wish to secure seating as close as possible to the stage are advised to get to the venue early.
Transport
Train
Catch any train into Flinders Street Station, and from there walk south (away from the city) along St Kilda Road. This is approximately a ten minute walk into the Gardens. If disembarking at Richmond Station, walk east along Swan Street towards the Gardens. This is a fifteen minute walk.
Tram
Catch trams travelling along St Kilda Road which are numbered 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67 and 72 and disembark at Stop 16 or 17. The main gates of the Music Bowl are a three minute walk from the stop.
Bus
Catch buses 216, 219 or 220 along St Kilda Road or Bus 605 along Swan Street. For more information about travelling to the venue by bus, visit the Metlink website.
Car
Street parking around the Sidney Myer Music Bowl (Linlithgow Avenue and St Kilda Road) is extremely limited. If driving into the city, patrons have the option of using the Arts Centre car park which is located at the rear of the Arts Centre (off Sturt and Kavanagh Streets).
Taxi
The closest rank to the Bowl is outside Flinders Street Station. You may also like to carry the number of a taxi company and call them as you are getting ready to leave the venue.
What to bring
In addition to Christmas cheer, patrons are encouraged to bring rugs, cushions, backrests, picnics, sunhats and sun cream. Sealed or empty plastic water bottles up to 650mls can be brought in and free tap water is available.
What not to bring - conditions of entry
There are a number of items that patrons are not permitted to bring to the venue. These include and are not limited to alcohol, elevated and high-backed seating, breakable drinking glasses, glass bottles, open soft drink containers, hard-sided hampers, coolers and eskies, video cameras, animals (except Seeing Eye Dogs), any item which may impede other people's enjoyment of the show or deemed dangerous.
Please ask the Arts Centre about conditions of entry at time of purchase. Also note, security will conduct entry checks and which are not permitted will need to be disposed of or be kept in the cloak room and returned to patrons on exit.
Important: Please also note that opened bottles will be confiscated and that flash photography and video taping the show is not permitted. The use of cameras is permitted.
If you have any further questions about conditions of entry, please ask the Arts Centre at time of purchase.
Bad weather
The show has never been cancelled in 71 years and it will proceed even if it rains.
In the unlikely event that the weather creates extremely hazardous conditions such as extreme flooding or potential fire danger, risk assessors at the event will determine the appropriate action.
Vision Australia also recommends that patrons bring along sunscreen and appropriate cover such as hats and long sleeve tops - particularly if arriving early.
Emergency services
Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight® is serviced by:
- St John volunteers
- The Fire Brigade
- Police and ambulance services
- Security guards
These services are on standby to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency, and to assist all patrons if required.
When entering or leaving the venue we ask all patrons to follow all reasonable requests and directions from security and emergency personnel.
Security guards patrol the area inside and outside the venue, and work with the City of Melbourne and Emergency Services personnel to ensure pathways are well lit and patrolled. There will also be directional signage to help patrons find their way quickly and safely to and from the venue.
Vision Australia strongly urges all individuals and families to take all the regular precautions, particularly in relation to the safety of children.
Refreshments
There will be a number of healthy and affordable food and beverage choices available. Patrons can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks into the venue.
Lost property
On the night there will be a lost and found service. Please ask any event staff for assistance.
Handy hints
- Allow sufficient time to get into the venue if you have purchased General Admission tickets as the lawn area is unreserved and queues start to form well before the gates open at 4.30pm.
- Feel free to bring a picnic hamper but please do not bring non-permitted items as they will be confiscated.
- Please bring sun protection such as a hat and sun block, and appropriate clothing once the sun sets.
- Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found at Federation Square, the Arts Centre Carpark, at Southgate and at Flinders Street Station. Please note there are no ATMs in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
- There are no public phones at the Bowl. Phones available nearby include: Federation Square, at Flinders Street Station or on St Kilda Road, opposite the Arts Centre, and on the corner of St Kilda Road and Linlithgow Streets, opposite the National Gallery of Victoria.
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All proceeds raised from Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight® will be used to support children who are blind or have low vision to access and participate in every part of life they choose. Read more about five-year-old Layla and our Christmas Child's Play Program Appeal.
To make a donation please visit our secure online donation page or phone 1300 84 74 66.