SKELETONS took over Freedom Festival tonight when Transe Express rolled into the city as darkness fell.
Thousands of people packed the streets around Humber Quays as the French performing arts company lit up the waterside with Tambours de la Muerte (Drums of Death).
Acrobatics, music and fireworks stunned the audience as masked marchers recreated scenes from Mexico's traditional Day of the Dead.
Three-metre high skeleton puppets were balanced on their shoulders during the UK premiere of the show, which also featured a Chinese pole, topped with a wheel, from which suspended cast members whirled around in mid-air.
Jo Ashbridge, 33, from Orchard Park, said: "It looks unbelievable, it's very surreal and just the most amazing thing I've ever seen.
"I think cultural performances like this really broaden people's horizons and it's something different and unusual for Hull."
Throughout the evening, crowds also made their way to a number of stages around Hull Marina, including the Big Top, where comedian Lucy Beaumont performed.
Chairman of the Freedom Festival Board Graham Chesters said it was a "privilege" to be a part of the event and said they have a long way to go but have "huge ambitions."
"It's not a case of 'if' we get Hull City of Culture 2017 status, it's a case of when," he said.
As the sun went down, singer-songwriter Dan Croll took to the Pier Stage and said the view was "splendid" looking out across the Humber.
Local performer Sam Connolly was watching before playing on the Warren Stage tomorrow (Sunday).
Sam, 18, from Beverley, said: "It's really exciting and I saw The 1975 play at Leeds Festival, they are a great headline act.
"I like the fact that the festival is also celebrating Hull talent and this is the first time I've been involved in Freedom.
"It's often pop bands which come and play events like this so I'm glad they've given artists like Dan Croll a chance, he's brilliant."
The Yellow Bus Stage, hosted by Hull Jazz, also brought eclectic artists from across the north to join international stars.
Mobo-award winner Akala, who fuses rap, rock and electro pink with fierce, lyrical story-telling, drew a big audience during the evening.
The dance stage also played host to The Black Eagles, an acrobatic trio from Tanzania who juggled hats, balanced bottles and sticks and even limbo-danced underneath fire.
• Pictures of The 1975 and Akala at Freedom Festival 2013
