Front Street burst into life last night as thousands descended on Hamilton for Harbour Nights with a distinctly nautical feel.

The Gombeys kicked off the street festival at about 7pm with a backdrop of majestic tall ships and pristine megayachts.

There followed further dance and steel pan performances during the course of the evening as locals and visitors milled between the dozens of stalls set up on the waterfront.

Last night’s Harbour Nights signalled the beginning of five days of festivities while the tall ships are in town.

This evening, Collie Buddz will perform with several soca artists at the City Hall car park, while tomorrow evening at 6.30pm the tall ships crew will parade through Hamilton.

On Sunday, the city will host a Bon Voyage street festival complete with stilt walkers and fireworks before the final parade of sail at 9am in Hamilton Harbour.