Oamaru Market Day saw 35 retailers set up stalls outside their stores as hundreds of shoppers searched for Christmas bargains to the sounds of accordion, bagpipes, African drummers and the Salvation Army band.
Tourism Waitaki events co-ordinator Jan Kennedy was happy with the turnout, believing the custom to be significantly busier than a normal Saturday.
"It was good to get people thinking about shopping in town and not heading away," she said.
"Once the streets started to fill up, people brought more and more stuff out."
The market, which is held at irregular intervals, was simple to organise and should be held annually, she said.
Super Save manager Max Li said his store and surrounds were "very busy" and he welcomed the idea of making the market an annual event. Takings had increased 50% on the corresponding weekend last year, he said.
