Attractions included various stalls, face painting, activities for the children as well as a visit from Santa.
Town mayor Hugh Roberts told the Courier: "It went very well and can I say a big thank you from myself and the town council to all the shops and businesses and all the people who attended for making it a wonderful success.
"The shops and businesses all commented that they were far busier than previous years, and there seemed to be a warm buzz around the Market Place and the Shire Hall.
"It was really pleasing for everybody involved."
Each year Howden Civic Society in collaboration with Howden Town Council organises a competition to encourage shops and offices to dress their windows with a Christmas theme.
This year the theme was "A Christmas Carol", which could be interpreted as referring to the famous story by Charles Dickens or one or more of the Christmas hymns. One ingenious entrant even interpreted it as referring to Carol Vorderman dressed as Santa.
Twelve shops, offices and cafes entered with the results as follows: 1. Screetons; 2. Heptonstalls Solicitors; joint 3. Blue Sky and Howden Pet Empawrium.
Civic society chairman Roger Watkins said: "This has been our best ever year in the competition. I thank the businesses taking part and I believe the people of Howden will support them even more in the future."