2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony Photo Gallery

Jul 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; General view of fireworks during the opening ceremony at Tower Bridge. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2012 London Olympics officially kicked off tonight with a brilliant opening ceremony. As always, the event was a spectacle and got viewers excited for the upcoming coming games. The name of the ceremony was “The Isles of Wonder” and it was produced by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle.

The ceremony featured stunning imagery that is often related to the host city London, along with amazing pyrotechnics and hundreds of live performers. After the bright lights went down it was time for the athletes to march out and enjoy their moment in the spotlight.

The Olympic tradition continued when Greece was the first country of athletes to march out for the games while the remaining competitors got their moment immediately after in alphabetical order. As always, it was a touching moment and built much excitement for the games that will dominate billions of viewers television sets over the next couple of weeks.

Enjoy some of the best images from the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic games:

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Performers play percussion during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Performers represent the age of industry during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Large smoke stacks rise during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA Today Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; A general view as the arena bowl is illuminated with a pattern of lights during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Soldiers bring out the Union Jack during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Villains of British literature including Voldemort appear during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Villains of British literature including Voldemort are surrounded by performers depicting Marry Poppins during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; General view of fireworks during the opening ceremony at Tower Bridge. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Olympic rings drop a shower of sparks during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Olympic rings hang over the stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; British flag is raised during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Performers dance during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Performers dance during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA Today Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; A projection showing a love story during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Performers dance during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; The spotlights beam out into the sky during the opening ceremonies at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Performers herd sheep during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Drummers raise their sticks during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA Today Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Children jump on beds during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA Today Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Performers representing villains of British literature fly through the air during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Performers ride in a wagon during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; General view during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Fireworks go off around Olympic stadium during the opening ceremonies at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; The delegation from Independent Olympic Athletes led by flagbearer Brooklyn Kerlin enter the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; The delegation from United States of America led by flagbearer Mariel Zagunis enter the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Athletes from the United States of America led by flag bearer Mariel Zagunis during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA Today Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; United States flagbearer Mariel Zagunis leads her delegation into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Great Britain flagbearer Chris Hoy leads his delegation into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; The delegation from Great Britain led by flagbearer Sir Chris Hoy enter the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Athletes from the USA led by flagbearer Mariel Zagunis enter the stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Fireworks go off over Olympic stadium during the opening ceremonies at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; The Royal Barge Gloriana arrives at city hall during the torch relay before the London 2012 Olympic Games at Tower Bridge. Mandatory Credit: Leo Mason-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Queen Elizabeth II speaks during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Athletes watch the torch rise during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Basketball player Lebron James (left) poses for a photo with a fellow United States athlete during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Fireworks explode during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; The Olympic torch, comprised of 260 individual torches rises from the ground during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Great Britain athletes march as confetti falls during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Copper pedals lit by the Olympic Flame converge to form a single torch during the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA Today Sports