Over 6000 people came together to sing for joy and honour our firefighters at the Lismore Carols in the Heart this year.

Lismore City Council tourism and events manager Mitch Lowe said the event at Crozier Field had grown bigger every year, with this year bringing the biggest crowds yet.

“It was a wonderful atmosphere with the community coming out after a tough year to connect with each other at a family, fun event before Christmas,” he said.

Mitch said $5000 was raised for the local Rural Fire Service (RFS) from public donations and sales of glow sticks.

“It was amazing to see the community acknowledge the important work of the RFS and support them,” he said.

For the first time at the event, the fireworks were replaced with a laser light show, sponsored by the Macadamia Castle.

“The fireworks been an integral part of the event for years,” Mitch said. 

“But we cancelled them because there were no fire permits allowed in the region.

“We are getting great feedback about it, so it could be the way forward in future. 

 “Adam Harvey, our headliner music act was also well received and we had performances from local artists Cath Simes and Summerland Christina School, as well as dance performances from the Megan Phillips Dance Company.”

Mitch said Santa and Mrs Claus were there on the night to give a Christmas message to people and candy canes to the kids.

Mitch said the only negative feedback given was about the longer lines for kids to wait for the jumping castle and face painting.

“Which says a lot about how big and popular the event is growing,” Mitch said.