THE Christmas spirit sizzled in QEII Square last night.

As tiny beads of sweat sparkled on the faces of the seasoned performers, a big crowd was captivated by songs of snow and winter wonderlands.

Albury’s Carols by Candlelight was attended by thousands of families and, for the first time, broadcast on a big screen to about 8000 onlookers.

There were electronic candles, as well as new faces on the stage.

Wodonga’s Lisa Cullen got her Christmas carol training being pulled in a hay-laden trailer through her home town of Whangarei, New Zealand.

This year things were looking significantly more glamorous for the sales representative, who stepped out to wish onlookers A Merry Little Christmas wearing a white ball gown which could have been plucked straight from Cinderella’s closest.

While Ms Cullen had plenty of admirers in wide-eyed little girls and boys, the first-time performer at the Albury carols was also impressed by what she saw.

“It seems to get bigger and bigger,” she said.

“It looks fun out there with people sitting there with all the balloons and decorations.”

Next to step into the spotlight was Albury High School’s Mica Roi Torre.

Fresh from Singapore after a stint playing Nola in The Lion King musical, she danced up a storm with Frosty The Snowman.

Although the vivacious 15-year-old conceded her dance partner was probably the only thing “frosty” about her four-song performance, the temperature refused to drop

below thirty.

Meanwhile, Chiltern’s Cathryn McDonald was certainly dressed for a white Christmas in sparkling red dress and small fur-look jacket .

“All of the songs I sang are American Christmas carols and they all mention snow and then that’s when I thought the fluffy jacket thing was appropriate,” Ms McDonald said.

“It’s a shame we don’t have more good Australian carols, but I love the American songs anyway.”