Organised by the House of Breakthrough church, the event was originally scheduled to start at 3pm yesterday but was brought forward by an hour because of the forecast wet weather.
Despite a short downpour shortly after 2pm, House of Breakthrough pastor Damien Goodsir was delighted with the early crowd of about 300 that braved the rain.
"It’s a real community event and other than the weather, everything’s gone well."
Entertainment included music from artists such as Joseph Balfe and the Saggy Britches Band, pony rides, games, face-painting, lolly scrambles a bouncy castle and an inflatable slide.
A tug-o-war featuring six teams was postponed until later in the day.
Mr Goodsir said the festive celebration, that has been held at Takaro Park each year since 2012, was the church’s way of supporting the Oamaru community at Christmas.
"Our whole reason for doing it is putting on something free and bringing that Christmas cheer to families who turn up to and enjoy it each year ... we’ve had some people that have come all six years in a row. They don’t miss it."
- Daniel Birchfield