A spit of rain did nothing to deter throngs of festive folk lining Dunedin’s main drag to catch a glimpse of the big man himself.
Children edged into the street, eager for a glimpse of the man in the red suit.
Dozens of floats, performers and community groups paraded ahead of him.
Routines by two cheerleading groups were well-received; Eclipse Cheerleading Dunedin’s Roxy Wallace drew gasps when she was launched into the air by team-mates.
It was organised by the charitable not-for-profit Dunedin Santa Parade Trust.
George St was packed with people yesterday afternoon for the annual Dunedin Santa Parade, some attendees sporting Santa hats, colour co-ordinated festive garb or Christmas knits.
Santa greets the crowd during the annual Santa Parade along George St yesterday.
Santa timed his arrival almost perfectly, his reindeer-drawn sleigh appearing to cheers at the same time as a light rain.
An excitable dinosaur showers onlookers in a stream of bubbles.
They included popular children’s movie characters, marching bands, dance groups, emergency services vehicles, local businesses and the Highlanders rugby team.
Roxy Wallace, 12, of Eclipse Cheerleading Dunedin, waves to the crowd as her group of cheerleaders flip, tumble and roll down the street.
The parade ran for nearly 90 minutes. It started at the intersection of George and St David Sts, crossed the Octagon and finished in Moray Pl outside First Church.
The Children Outpatients float sports a zoo of animals.
The Otago Regional Council provided free buses to and from the parade.
