The 2020 Launceston Carols by Candlelight has been cancelled.
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In a statement released on Tuesday, the Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise Launceston carols committee confirmed the regrettable news, adding it was not feasible to host the event.
Carols chairman and City of Launceston deputy mayor Danny Gibson said it was a very difficult decision and one that was in stark contrast to the uplifting and can-do attitude the Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise lives by.
"At this time of the year, it is necessary to confirm sponsors, performers, infrastructure and necessary permits to stage our much-loved Christmas event," he said.
"Cancelling Carols by Candlelight is not an easy decision. We love nothing more than turning City Park into a beautiful Christmas wonderland for 5000 or 6000 members of our community.
"Some might say that the event should proceed for 1000 patrons and be livestreamed. But for us, it is about the connections our large-scale event makes.
"It is about our volunteer musicians giving their time and sharing their talents with a large, appreciative audience. It is about the magic that is created by families coming together to lift their candle in support of our local charities assisting those in need.
"It is about all the connections that our volunteers, sponsors and supporters bring to this mega-outdoor event."
This year would have marked the event's 75th year.
Tasmania's first Carols by Candlelight was held in the park in 1945 with six soloists, a choir of more than 100 people and the Launceston Railway Silver Band played a number of carols.
Cr Gibson said while some might consider the decision to cancel premature, it was necessary.
"While it is correct that the government is currently working on a matrix for the return of larger events - being only two months away, we have to make this decision now so we are not left exposed," he said.
"Launceston Carols by Candlelight costs more than $55,000 to stage. The Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise proudly presents Launceston Carols by Candlelight with the support of some very long-term sponsors, and the club feels their disappointment at not being able to partner with us to present this year's event.
"This is not how we hoped the year would end, and we feel sad that this popular and much-loved event cannot proceed."
In the past eight years the Launceston Carols by Candlelight has raised more than $100,000 for The Examiner's Empty Stocking Appeal.
Despite the cancellation, Cr Gibson said the Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise was still committed to raising funds.
It will be offering some bespoke online Countdown to Christmas initiatives to encourage community connectedness, while providing opportunities to donate to this year's appeal.
These will be announced in the coming weeks.
In the meantime it has also committed $2000 to help kick start the 2020 Empty Stocking Appeal with a donation of $2000.
The Examiner deputy editor Corey Martin, praised the Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise for its commitment.
"While it is disappointing carols won't be lighting up Christmas this year, we fully understand and support the decision," Mr Martin said.
"The Examiner will be pushing ahead with our annual Empty Stocking Appeal, and the plan is to kick it off a little earlier than normal, in early November, and we welcome the support of the Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise."
The club also expressed its thanks to the event's long-term partners Vos Construction and One Agency Launceston, and other loyal sponsors for their ongoing commitment, belief and financial resources to stage the iconic Launceston event.
"Thank you to the families of Launceston and Northern Tasmania for their support over many years and we look forward to presenting Launceston Carols by Candlelight in the future," Cr Gibson said.
