The annual community event will be held on Friday, December 1, at Wolseley Oval.

Minister’s Fraternal president, Scott Dunlop, said he hoped to see “young and old from all walks of life come together to celebrate as a community what Christmas is all about”.

Last year, more than 2000 people gathered on the oval to enjoy an evening of entertainment and fun.

“This year promises to be bigger and better with a record number of schools and community groups set to perform during the free night of fun,” Mr Dunlop said.

“Santa will arrive with a bag of goodies for the kids and carol singing will be interspersed with local school items.

“As usual, the night will commence with the Gunnedah Shire Band and Plains Pipes and Drums playing by 6.30pm, followed by carols.”

Mr Dunlop said the traditional fireworks display “really caps off a great night”.

“The carols are a great team effort with lots of people from right across our community contributing in lots of different ways, so it all comes together on the night, from our shire band providing music, to Rotary west cooking the barbecue, to Four Ways Haulage providing the truck,” he said.

In the case of wet weather, the event will be postponed to Sunday, December 3. The oval is an alcohol-free zone.