“She loves to dance and loves music so there’s no better place for her,” mum Sarsha Tuntin said.

They were among thousands of Christmas revelers who gathered at North Gardens Reserve for last night’s Ballarat Carols.

York Street Church of Christ senior pastor Tim Clark said there was great excitement in the air at the combined churches event.

“There’s a lot of fun, a lot of laughter,” he said.

“It’s to celebrate Christmas and for the Ballarat churches to present a carols program that tells the the real story of Christmas.”

The Town Crier walked through the crowd ringing his bell to declare the carols open, before the performers took to the stage with a variety of contemporary and classic carols, from Joy to the World and Holy Night to Born is the King – it’s Christmas.

Santa not only made a special guest appearance but learnt to dance too, to the delight of the audience.

Celebrating the occasion were Rayne Seamons, 9, and her friend Ruby Scicluna, 9, who came well prepared with blankets, pillows and snacks.

“All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,” they were singing.

Ballarat resident Anita Wren said she was inspired to attend last night’s event by the memory of her mother.

“When it was up at Eureka I used to go with my mum – my mum used to love the carols,” she said.

“I wanted to keep the tradition going for her.

“The little one also loves to dance to anything. She dances to the washing machine.”

The event was operating for the first time as Ballarat Carols, having been previously known as Eureka Carols.

Fine weather, a sausage sizzle and families playing cricket in the park all added to the festive atmosphere of the free community event.

rachel.afflick@fairfaxmedia.com.au