Armed with glow sticks, candles and their best singing voices, more than  2000 people packed the park to celebrate the Christmas spirit.

Performers on the night included Christian singer Nicky Chiswell, the Tamworth Pipe Band and RSL Brass Band.

As well as enjoying the songs of Christmas, Tamworthians opened their hearts and wallets for Compassion, raising $1700 just from bucket donations, with more expected to be announced from the sponsorship stall.

Organiser Rod Chiswell said the crowds were up on last year and was thankful for the good weather, with a storm threatening to force the event inside, but it went around instead.

“The weather held off superbly and we raised some good money for charity,” he said.

“The message of God’s gift to us at Christmas came across pretty clearly, so that was very encouraging.”