This year's Dunedin Midwinter Carnival, on June 26, has a "creatures of the sea" theme.
During the centrepiece lantern procession, spectators in the Octagon will be treated to a glowing stream of more than 700 people, 250 hand-made lanterns, 10 giant lanterns, costumed dancers, stiltwalkers, musicians and fireworks.
Accompanying music performances will include Songbong Brazilian carnival drumming, African dance from Koru dance, djembé drumming from Wassa Wassa, traditional French music and dance with a modern twist from Les Belles Vilaines, and a lively group of musical children from Warrington School.
The procession will also feature Alizé, a group of dancers from Otago University's Dance Lab, who will be performing in elaborate processional costumes.
Dunedin fashion designer Fieke Neuman is creating costumes for a group of stiltwalkers.
There are six lantern-making workshops in the lead-up to the event this year.
For information on the workshops go to www.midwintercarnival.co.nz.
The first are on this weekend.
