Event manager Jonathan Cweorth said the many young families were treated to some "winter magic" in Moray Pl yesterday in part due to carnival organisers’ caution this year.
Due to Covid, organisers for the first time had booked First Church of Otago and Burns Hall, Mr Cweorth said.
With wild weather predicted last night and today, the move had proven fortuitous, he said.
Many carnival attractions were moved indoors into the "beautiful spaces".
"We have got a pretty good crowd," he said as the doors opened yesterday. "We sold nearly 6000 tickets and we’re getting plenty of walk-ups.
"So, in spite of everything, Dunedinites want to come out and experience some winter magic, which we’re really thrilled about."
By 6pm it was already a busy venue.
At the same time, the line to get into First Church ran about 100m deep as families queued at the doors of the church for the 6pm opening.
Inside, visitors were first greeted by a more-than-3m praying mantis on display, one of the many lanterns for which the carnival is known.
In the nave, tui, tulips and unicorns pulling a sleigh filled the church with light as a Pasifika choir serenaded the crowd circulating through.
The inclement weather this weekend forced the cancellation of the traditional lantern procession, but the majority of what was planned went ahead as intended.
The two-day carnival finishes tonight.
