OVER 1000 Griffith residents gathered at two big events on Sunday night to raise money for charity and sing Christmas carols with a distinctly Aussie twist.

Held at the Griffith Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre, Grace Christian Fellowship's hugely successful carols@pool.come.all incorporated 30-degree heat and cool water instead of the traditional below-zero temperatures and snow.

But the 800-plus locals who attended didn't seem to mind as they listened to 20 acts, ranging from modern tunes to traditional classics while raising $500 for the Langunyah House Youth Refuge.

Event organiser Jenny Ellis said holding the event at the pool was a stroke of genius.

"I've had so many people come up and say how good it was at the pool," she said.

"We had the most beautiful night and the community spirit was wonderful.

"There were little kids right through to people in their 70s involved."

The poolside location allowed people to cool off in the water before moving onto the grass area with blankets and chairs.

"What I noticed was it was a really family-orientated night � there were families of every culture there," aquatic centre general manager Rodney Harris said.

"When they left there was not one skerrick of rubbish on the ground � it was pristine.

"I think that shows the calibre of the people who went."

Across town, Locklea Park was also coming alive with the sound of Christmas carols.

About 350 locals attended the first-ever combined Lifesource, Seventh Day Adventist and New Methodist churches' event on Sunday.

Organiser Rodney Bortolin was "stoked" with the turnout.

"It was an opportunity for us to connect with our community around the Murrumbidgee Estate," he said.

"I was pleased with the turnout and we really felt we had achieved what we set out to do."