Last year a virtual event went ahead, but even that has been dumped this year after it was decided it was just too costly.

Despite Warrnambool's vaccination rate being one of the highest in the country, organisers have decided not to go ahead with the traditional Carols by the Merri in Dennington and the Civic Green event because of strict COVID rules.

Having to erect fencing, police vaccination status and increased cost of security to meet the rules have forced organisers to pull the pin.

Dennington Community Association president John Harris said Carols by the Merri usually pulled in between 1500 and 2000 people on a good night, and they were restricted to anywhere between 500 and 1000 people.

"It has to be a vaccinated event, and QR code, and it was limited numbers," he said.

"It was a bit tough. I said 'I don't want to be standing at the gate telling somebody they can't come in and their grandchild or child is about to sing on the stage and we can't fit anymore in'.

"And also, with the vaccination thing it would have put that much more security on us."

Mr Harris said organisers were hoping there weren't the same restrictions next year.

"Last year we ran the virtual carols, but it cost us a bit of money and we don't have the money this year," he said.

He said last year they worked with the combined churches for the virtual event but even that cost about $10,000 to put on.

Mr Harris said they hired security every year for the Dennington event, but if they were to hold carols under the current restrictions they would have to pay for another half-a-dozen security guards.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"It's just the extra workload that it puts on people," he said.

"You have to have COVID marshals so you can actually make sure they are able to manage the situation. For community groups like us it just makes it too hard."

Presbyterian church pastor Ben Johnson said even though the Civic Green carols was an outdoor event for a large number of people, the uncertainty made it difficult to plan.

And, because it was classified as an official event, it had to be for fully vaccinated people only which meant fencing it off and policing the vaccinations, Mr Johnson said.

Erecting a fence around the Civic Green changed the nature and feel of the event, he said.

"To be having to fence it and police vaccination status is a difficult thing for our volunteers," Mr Johnson said.

"We really focus on the Christian message of Christmas where Jesus has come for all people, and to then fence the event and turn some away is not in the spirit of the Christian message.

"The organising committee is really disappointed they can't put it on."

CORONAVIRUS STORIES:

We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we aim to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.