Santa Claus came to town in Oamaru on Saturday.
A large crowd lined Thames St to watch the annual Christmas parade, which attracted nearly 50 entries.
"Absolutely rapt"organiser Gary Watling, from Classic Hits, said it was the largest parade for five years.
An impressive display of trucks opened the parade, some covered with festive trappings, horns honking.
"Santa Claus is coming to town," a group of young girls sang excitedly as the parade drew nearer.
They soon saw a procession of colourful floats, involving lots of children and even a few animals. The emergency services were all represented, along with ballerinas, rugby players, army vehicles, vintage tractors, highland pipe bands and penny-farthings.
For many of the young spectators, there was only one person they wanted to see and they had to wait until the end of the parade to see him.
Santa Claus arrived in true Christmas style, aboard a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He waved to the crowd and wished everyone a merry Christmas.
The $500 Otago Daily Times prize for best community float was won by Barnardos. The best business float was created by Oamaru Veterinary Services ($250 from the Chamber of Commerce), while the best Christmas-decorated float was entered by Fusion Hair Design ($250 from Anaro Investments).
The Otago Daily Times Cup for the best overall float went to Oamaru Veterinary Services' "mobile operating-theatre".
