Performers control an eagle light puppet for the Nocturnal animals themed carnival. Photo: Gregor Richardson
Lanterns were released by the crowd. Photo: Vaughan Elder
Large light puppets interact with the crowd at the packed octagon. Photo: Vaughan Elder
An eagle light puppet swoops through the crowd. Photo: Vaughan Elder
The wild things came out to play in the Octagon tonight as luminous nocturnal creatures invaded for the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival.
Thousands of people packed the Octagon and Stuart St for the annual event, which this year had the theme of Nocturnal Nature.
Children and adults alike were in awe as eagles, kiwi, weta and moa lanterns made their way around the Octagon starting at 6pm.
Little Morepork and owl lanterns carried by flocks of children outnumbered the rest.
The carnival also featured some of New Zealand's fauna.
People rugged up warm, but the weather played its part on a still night.
