Fr John Harrison said St Joseph's Cathedral had been "absolutely full", with some people having to stand at midnight mass on Christmas Eve and during Christmas Day mass.
About 900 people attended both services, which was more than last year, he said.
The Rev Dr Sarah Mitchell said Knox Church was full for the carols by candlelight service on Christmas Eve, with about 750 people attending.
"It was just lovely. There was a wonderful atmosphere with a full church, candles glowing and lots of carols."
The theme on Christmas Day was celebration, with about 200 people attending the service. About 20 children gathered on the steps at the front of the church for a New Zealand Christmas story - Hettie's Christmas Gift - and a New Zealand Christmas carol - Carol our Christmas an Upside-down Christmas - was sung.
Dunedin's Anglican bishop, the Right Rev George Connor, said the cathedral was full for midnight mass, with many younger people, as well as tourists.
In his sermon, he spoke about the loss of Christ from Christmas.
There was sadness at "happy holiday" cards replacing Christmas cards, and songs about Santa and reindeer replacing songs and carols about the birth of Jesus, angels and shepherds.
"We too often get caught in the paraphernalia of peripheral things - of food, drink and presents - and forget that the heart of the matter is the birth of Jesus," he said.
The Rev Stuart Grant, of the Dunedin Methodist Parish, also spoke yesterday about Christmas being a celebration of Jesus' birthday.
"In all the Christmas rush, we tend to forget the one present that is the original reason for all the present giving - the present of Jesus, called the Christ."
At St Joseph's Cathedral, Bishop Colin Campbell spoke about not being swamped by materialism.
He challenged service-goers to follow the examples of others in giving, such as the doctors who provided free grommet operations for children at Mercy Hospital, those who donated to help the Otago Community Hospice retain services and the response of New Zealanders who helped underprivileged youth from Bougainville attend World Youth Day in Sydney.
About 60 people attended the Salvation Army Christmas service, which drew a comparison between the two trees of Christmas, the Christmas tree and the Cross, Major Francis Roulston said.
