The weather gods smiled on Katoomba last Saturday for the Winter Magic festival.
The grand parade was held in bright sunshine and, while the day turned cloudy later, there was no hint of rain as revellers carried on into the night.
Veteran festival-goers rated the crowd as the biggest ever, with well over 40,000 attending on the day.
Led by police on motorbikes and horses, more than 700 colourful, athletic and noisy participants brought the grand parade to life, with drumming, brass bands, belly dancers and furry animals.
There were also more than 100 stalls lining Katoomba Street, selling everything from woollen gloves and leather bags to chips on a stick and bratwurst rolls.
Festival director, Sharon Peralta, said the day was hectic "but so far from all reports it was fabulous".
"It was really big and there were a lot of people there considering people were packed into the Cultural Centre and the Street Art Walk plus in all the usual areas. Even the Coles building was busy."
Music filled the streets, the Carrington, the old library, various pubs and carparks, with drumming workshops, street performances and special kids' activities drawing large crowds all day.
Jennie Curtin