A cold clear night, a big crowd, the Octagon full of stalls and hot food and a carnival of colour and creativity - Dunedin's midwinter festival didn't fail to impress.
An estimated 15,000 people braved a crisp 3degC to witness tonight's festival and celebrate Monday's winter solstice - the year's shortest day.
Live music, flame eaters, dancers and more kept the crowds busy as they waited for the 6pm carnival procession.
That procession of some 500 people included numerous lanterns, stilt-walkers, a giant ethereal white peacock, marching bands - including one playing garden tools as instruments - and a small girl riding inside an open flower.
After two circuits around the Octagon the procession ended and all eyes turned to the Civic Centre, where a 5-minute fireworks display erupted from the roof just before 7pm.
