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Carols by Candlelight

Carols by Candlelight

Holiday Concert Benefiting Rady Children's Hospital

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About Carols by Candlelight

Rady Children's Hospital holiday concert benefit

A spectacular family Christmas concert!

Carols by Candlelight in San Diego was founded in 1990 as a free concert at Horton Plaza by Steve Vaus and Wayne Nelson with the goal of making a life-changing difference in the lives of children.

Over the years, Carols by Candlelight has featured pop and country stars Phil Vasser, LeAnn Rimes, Jamie O’Neil, Kenny Loggins, Josh Gracin, Bucky Covington, Collin Raye, Sara Evans, Juice Newton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Loggins, Lee Anne Womack, Little River Band, the Commodores, and may others singing Christmas Carols along with their biggest hits.

The net proceeds benefit Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego.

CLICK TO MAKE A DONATION NOW

Carols by Candlelight sponsorships are handled by our fiscal agent:
San Diego County Prosperity Foundation – a 501(c)(3)
Tax ID Number 46-1924716

Media

Posted on CBS 8, December 7, 2023
The annual Carols by Candlelight concert returns in December to Escondido – November 23, 2022

Escondido’s Carols by Candlelight Returns After COVID Break 
December 2, 2021
Times of San Diego link opens in new window


The 32nd Annual Carols by Candlelight  
October 23, 2021
KUSI Newsroom link opens in new window

Best of Carols by Candlelight and what’s next for Mayor Steve Vaus
December 15, 2020
KUSI Newsroom link opens in new window


Valley Roadrunner – November 2019
Carols by Candlelight celebrates 30th year at the Center link opens in new window


Poway Mayor Steve Vaus announces 2018 Carols by Candlelight performers

San Diego Union-Tribune – December 2015
Carols by Candlelight Sing out for a Good Cause link opens in new window

San Diego Union-Tribune- December 2014
New Poway Mayor Celebrates 25th ‘Carols’ Concert link opens in new window

Auction Winner Returns Prized Guitar to Young Donor link opens in new window
San Diego Union Tribune – December 2012

Kirsten Blackburn, a Poway High School sophomore, decided to repay Rady Children’s Hospital for changing her life by donating her prized guitar, signed by Taylor Swift, to last weekend’s “Carols by Candlelight” auction. Not only did her guitar bring in a whopping $4,700 for the hospital, but her good deed was unexpectedly rewarded when the unnamed auction winners, who are also from Poway, returned the guitar to Blackburn.

Subscribe to our mailing list and be the first to know when tickets go on sale!

 
 

2025 SPONSORS & DONORS

Walmart logo
Toyota of Poway logo.
Dwight & Gayle Gordon logo
EDCO Disposal logo
New Pointe Communities, Inc. logo
Christa McAuliffe Academy, School of Arts and Sciences
Barona Resort & Casino
Rath Public Affairs
COX
KUSI
General Atomics logo.

Click here to email Steve Vaus for information about becoming a Sponsor or a Donor.

become a sponsor or donor, Carols by Candlelight
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