Crowds were treated to a dazzling display of gravity-defying stunts on the opening night of Norfolk and Norwich Festival.

Lofted high above the ground, performers from the Gorilla Circus impressed onlookers on Saturday night with their aerial acrobatics in Chapelfield Gardens.

Gasps could be heard as people watched the skilled artists complete tightrope walks and intricate group displays.

Norwich Evening News: A Gorilla Circus performer walks the tightrope A Gorilla Circus performer walks the tightrope (Image: PA)

A series of free performances took place throughout the city over the weekend, with something to discover on almost every street corner.

It is part of a three-week-long celebration of arts and culture, with live music, street performance and dance events happening at venues across Norwich.

READ MORE: Seven free events during the Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2023

Norwich Evening News: A band walks through the city's streetsA band walks through the city's streets (Image: Luke Witcomb)

READ MORE: City festival back "bigger and better" in 2023

Norwich Evening News: Crowds enjoy a performance as part of the Norfolk and Norwich FestivalCrowds enjoy a performance as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival (Image: Luke Witcomb)

Chapelfield Gardens has been temporarily renamed Festival Gardens for 17 days and it boasts the huge Adnams Spiegeltent, bars and street food traders.

READ MORE: Not-to-miss acts at this year's Norfolk and Norwich Festival

Norwich Evening News: Acrobatics during the Gorilla Circus display on SaturdayAcrobatics during the Gorilla Circus display on Saturday (Image: PA)

The main performance in the Spiegeltent this year comes from the Australian circus troupe Le Coup, who will perform from May 17 to 28 at various times. 

Norfolk and Norwich Festival is the oldest single-city arts festival in the UK, celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2022.