Glasgow indie pop band Belle and Sebastian were among the top acts to entertain the crowds with their hits at the newly refurbished Kelvingrove Bandstand.
Lead singer Stuart Murdoch and his band mates wore red Glasgow 2014 tracksuits while the Song of the Clyde blared out of a tannoy. Clyde, the games mascot, danced to the music at the sell-out event.
Murdoch said the B-listed 90-year-old structure, which reopened in May after a £2.1 million refurbishment, was like "a dream within a dream".
There were smiles and laughter as families gathered to watch a screening about the history of the bandstand and another film which marked Glasgow's journey to its moment in the spotlight, which were introduced by host Vic Galloway.
Shortly afterwards the first band, Les Johnson and Me, took to the stage.
Helen Findlay, 26, and husband Stuart, 32, from Glasgow, brought their 11-week-old daughter Roslyn. Mr Findlay said: "I'm glad the Games are finally here. The city's done a lot of work, there's been renovations and disruption, but now we can enjoy it." Jim Mulligan, 60, who had travelled from Fife with his wife Jo, 53, said: "It is quite exciting, there's a real atmosphere about the city and the bandstand."
New Zealand-born Tom Boswell, 34, from Edinburgh, said: "I've managed to get tickets for the track and field so I'm glad to be at the Opening Ceremony party."
Colin Clark, 43, from Glasgow, whose mum is a Clydesider volunteer, said it was fitting the B-listed bandstand had recently been refurbished.He said: "I think it's a really good thing that Glasgow 2014 has helped to get it ready for the Games.
"Now you can see people are excited about the whole event."
Some people said they were disappointed on missing out on reasonably priced Games tickets.
Keen runner Craig Johnstone, 27, a project manager, said he was excited about the games despite missing out on tickets and complained they were too pricey. He added: "I'm holding out for track tickets, but they're too expensive at the moment. They need to lower the price."
Marketing worker Jill Ferguson, 37, said: "It's a momentous occasion so I think people are more excited than anything else." Further performances will be held at the bandstand during the Games and sports highlights will be screened there.
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