More than 9,500 people - of all ages - checked out the colourful sights and sounds at Dunedin's Midwinter Carnival on Friday and Saturday nights.

Fire-breathing performer Scotty Newberry adds some heat to a chilly night outside First Church on Saturday. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Each told a story magnified by larger-than-life characters, storytellers and roving performers manoeuvring about the grounds.