IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony: 7 must-see moments

Hoda Kotb predicted that the Olympics opening ceremony would be a party — and she was right!
/ Source: TODAY

Hoda Kotb predicted that the Olympics opening ceremony would be a party — and she was right!

The festivities kicked off Friday at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, with Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira and Kotb serving as hosts of NBC's broadcast. Of course, the four-hour event had plenty of spectacles, samba and celebrity sightings.

Here are some of the biggest moments.

1. Baby, you're a firework

Opening Ceremony Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Elsa / Getty Images

A dazzling display of sparklers exploded to spell "Rio."

2. Model behavior

Opening Ceremony Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Brazilian-born beauty Gisele Bundchen strutted her last catwalk, fittingly to "The Girl from Ipanema" (and later showed off some dance moves).

3. Stars and stripes

Opening ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games
ION / TNS via Getty Images

Michael Phelps repped Team USA in the Parade of Nations as the official flag bearer, which the 18-time Olympic gold medalist called "an honor and really a dream come true."

4. Slick moves

OLY-2016-RIO-OPENING-DELEGATION
AFP/Getty Images

Tongan flag bearer Pita Nikolas Taufatofua's oiled-up appearance had Twitter buzzing.

5. Let there be light

TOPSHOT-OLY-2016-RIO-OPENING
AFP/Getty Images

Former Brazilian athlete Vanderlei Cordeiro lit the cauldron with the Olympic torch.

6. Warm welcome

The Olympic refugee team received a standing ovation.

7. Big reveal

Opening Ceremony Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Ian Walton / Getty Images

The Olympic rings were finally formed in all their glowing, green glory.

WATCH: Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin and US Olympic swim team dive into Carpool Karaoke