Santa had to send out for extra supplies after being mobbed by young fans but Carols by Candlelight was a wonderful success said organiser Sue Gardner.
The annual event, held at the punchbowl at Whanganui's Virginia Lake, attracted a record crowd of 3000.
"Everything went perfectly- no children wandered in to the lake, no beards were set on fire and there were no medical emergencies even though the ambulance was on hand if there were any.