Carols by Candlelight returns in 2021

Carols by Candlelight returns in 2021, welcoming back a crowd of thousands to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Friday night.

"Last year was great, but it's always brilliant when you've got people up on the lawn, with the candles. All of that great stuff going on," said Ron Wooten, CEO of Vision Australia, which is the charity partner of the event.

Up to 8000 people will be allowed inside the venue this year, after crowds were cancelled in 2020.

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"It's a brilliant cause and I'm really proud to have been involved with it for four decades," singer Dennis Walter said.

"To move into Christmas day, here at 'The Bowl' is really special."

This year, four-time Aria-winner, Tones & I, will make her Carols by Candlelight debut.

Originally from Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, Tones & I has since become a global musical-success-story with seven billion worldwide streams of her break-out single, Dance Monkey.

Also performing as part of the star-studded Carols line-up are stage-veterans Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino and David Hobson.

"It's just so lovely to be celebrating Christmas with thousands of people and live performances," Prior told A Current Affair.

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"We get to sing together too, the three of us, which is lovely at this special time," Hobson added.

David Campbell and Ally Landon are hosting the 84th edition of Carols by Candlelight.

"After the couple of years we've just been through: having that moment of everyone getting together and saying 'it's going to ok, we're here, it's Christmas', that's going to be really special," Campbell said.

"If you're sitting down with the family Friday night, hopefully you've finished wrapping your presents. But if you haven't, it's a good time to turn on Carols and sing loud."

Campbell himself will be performing a number with his sister, Mahalia Barnes.

"I love singing with her. There's something about when families sing together. There's something about the way their voices blend," Campbell told ACA.

"Mahalia is the greatest singer I've ever sung with. Don't tell my Dad that," Campbell laughed, referencing his famous father, rocker Jimmy Barnes.

Also appearing on the night are Dami Im, Bonnie Anderson, Tim Campbell and Bobby Fox.

Carols By Candlelight assists Vision Australia in their mission of support children with blindness or low-vision, and their families.

"We assist 2500 families around Australia, and we'd love your help. All the money goes into the services for children who are blind or with low vision, and that will be gratefully received," Mr Wooten said.