By early evening on 22 December, The Wicked Parrot in Sanur looked ready for a party.

Colourful balloons floated above the dining area, Christmas garlands stretched between the
timber beams, and festive ribbons wrapped around the venue’s pillars. Guests gradually filled
the tables, greeting friends, introducing themselves to new faces, and settling in for what
would become one of Sanur’s most joyful community gatherings of the holiday season.

Hosted by The Wicked Parrot and featuring the Bali Community Choir, the evening brought
together around 100 people for Christmas carols, dinner, and good company. What unfolded
was less like a formal concert and more like the kind of celebration that happens when a
community decides to spend Christmas together.

Long before the first note was sung, the venue was already alive with conversation.

Groups gathered around decorated tables while volunteers helped welcome arriving guests.
Some audience members were long-time Sanur residents. Others were visitors spending
Christmas away from home. Many had never met before.

At one table, stories of Christmas in Australia mixed with memories from Europe and
Indonesia. At another, travellers exchanged recommendations for exploring Bali over the
holiday period.

The evening reflected something Sanur does particularly well: bringing together people from
different backgrounds and making them feel part of the same community.

The choir’s performance was woven naturally into the evening

Dressed in festive Christmas accessories and surrounded by holiday decorations, choir
members presented two sets of Christmas favourites throughout the night. Familiar melodies
including Silent Night, Joy to the World, O Holy Night, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and
We Wish You a Merry Christmas quickly found an appreciative audience.

Unlike a traditional concert hall, there was little distance between performers and listeners.
Audience members sat only a few metres away, sharing smiles, joining in familiar choruses,
and responding warmly to songs they had known for years.

The setting felt personal, relaxed, and unmistakably communal.

Between performances, attention turned to the buffet.

Guests queued together for dinner while conversations continued around the serving tables.
Choir members stepped away from the music to chat with audience members, and new
friendships formed over shared meals.

These moments between the songs became an important part of the evening’s story.

For many people living abroad or travelling during Christmas, the holiday season can bring
reminders of family traditions taking place thousands of kilometres away. Events like this
offer something simple but meaningful: a place to gather, celebrate, and enjoy the company
of others.

Throughout the evening, it was common to see tables laughing together, raising glasses, and
welcoming newcomers into conversation.

The most memorable moment came during the final carol

As the choir began to sing, voices from around the venue gradually joined in. Guests who had
spent the evening listening became part of the performance themselves, creating a room-wide
chorus that carried through the final song.

There was no spotlight moment or grand finale. Instead, there was something more fitting for
the occasion: people singing together.

Afterwards, many guests stayed well beyond the official program. Choir members posed for
photographs with audience members, conversations continued across tables, and the festive
atmosphere lingered long after the final note had faded.

The evening captured much of what makes Sanur special.

Known for its village atmosphere and strong sense of community, Sanur continues to be a
place where locals, expatriates, and visitors regularly come together through shared
experiences. The Christmas celebration at The Wicked Parrot reflected that spirit perfectly.

A traditional Christmas carol program met Balinese hospitality. Long-term residents shared
tables with first-time visitors. Music created the common ground.

The result was not simply a Christmas concert, but a celebration of connection, friendship,
and community at a time of year when those things matter most.

Bali Community Choir extends its sincere thanks to Bapak Mark Wilson, whose support
helped make the evening possible, and to the entire team at The Wicked Parrot for creating
such a welcoming setting.

Thank you also to the volunteers who assisted throughout the event, the choir members
whose dedication brought the music to life, and every audience member who sang,
applauded, shared a table, or stayed for a conversation.

Together, you created an evening that reflected the very best of community life in Sanur.

As the decorations come down and another Christmas season passes, the memories remain:
shared tables, familiar songs, new friendships, and a room full of people celebrating together.

Bali Community Choir looks forward to returning to Sanur for future events and continuing
to create opportunities for people to connect through music.

If you enjoy singing and would like to become part of our community, we would love to
welcome you to a rehearsal.