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In pictures: Glastonbury Festival day one

Emma Hallett,BBC News, Somersetand
Lili Sheppard,BBC News, Somerset
News imageYui Mok/PA Media Acrobats and circus performers take part in the opening ceremony in the Pyramid Arena at Glastonbury Festival. There are red fireworks going off around the stage.Yui Mok/PA Media
The Pyramid Stage opened with a theatre and circus show for the first time since 1990

Under cloudy skies thousands of people descended on Glastonbury Festival earlier as music lovers spent the day carrying, pushing and pulling a week's worth of possessions across the green grass and mud tracks of the site.

Festival founder Michael Eavis also put in a rare appearance much to the joy of those entering the site.

Once at their chosen camping grounds it was time to relax and prepare for what's to come.

News imageReuters Michael Eavis smiles and waves at the camera from the window of his vanReuters

The audience at the immersive aerial performance were asked to tune in and hum along to the movements of a digital cyclist on screen at the Pyramid Stage, creating a "collective soundscape".

Glastonbury organisers described the performance, named The Dreamweaver's Journey, as a "beautiful chaos of sound".

News imageYui Mok/PA Media A woman wearing a long white dress standing on a tall stilt on stage. She is holding up a large floaty piece of white material.Yui Mok/PA Media
Acrobats and singers took part in an immersive performance
News imagePA Media Man pushes modified wheelie bin across grass with bags and sleeping equipment inPA Media

A wheelie great idea: One man turned heads as he brought his festival gear onto the farm in a modified wheelie bin.

News imageRear shot of man and woman carrying tents and belongings on their back as they walk along gravel

A balancing act: People head into the festival with all of their belongings on their back.

News imageReuters/ Jaimi Joy Acrobats perform at the Pyramid arena during Glastonbury Festival, there is a large screen to the right of the stage and bright sparks around the stage.Reuters/ Jaimi Joy
Crowds were encouraged to sing along to the "breath-taking aerial odyssey"
News imageThe iconic Pyramid Stage sits in the centre of the photo with screens either side and tents in front

Opening ceremony: For the first time since 1990, the Festival will officially open with a Theatre and Circus act on the Pyramid Stage at 22:00 BST.

News imageMan in hat and woman with flower hairband smile whilst taking a photo together

Selfie stop at Carhenge: Got to remember these moments.

News imageWoman wearing sequined clothing and hat smiles at young daughter whilst she eats ice cream

Keeping it cool: Quality mother-and-daughter-time spent over an ice cream.

News imageCrowds walk around a statue of a dog made from scrap cars and metal

Barking mad: The scrap metal dog returns to Carhenge for another year.

News imageA crowd of people sit on painted benches whilst talking to one another at the festival

Crowds unwind and relax before the music officially begins on Friday.

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