Hot work! Vanessa Hudgens sizzles as celebs hit sell-out Coachella festival in the California desert

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:45 PM on 16th April 2011

This year's tickets sold out in just days when they went on sale in January, so it was with high anticipation that thousands flocked to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival today.
Braving gridlocked traffic on freeways, and huge queues to gain access to the venue, the lucky wristband holders did their best to deal with the heat in Indio, at the heart of the Mojave Desert.
Celebrities, of course, have their own VIP section near the main stage, but no special treatment could protect them from the temperatures in Palm Springs, which reached 38C today.

Keeping it cool: Disney star Vanessa Hudgens donned a floppy hat to protect her from the searing heat at the Coachella music festival in California yesterday

Juicy: Hudgens keeps cool in the Mojave desert by taking refreshment with friends

Hippy chick: The actress donned a colourful orange top and floral trousers

High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens, 22 , found a canny and stylish way to beat the heat, by wearing a Bianca Jagger style floppy hat.
Doubtless, she's probably too young to realise that the main proponent of her titfer was the Rolling Stone's former wife, but she wore the look with aplomb.
She also made sure to be well hydrated as she chatted with friends on the law, which is used as a Polo pitch during other times of the year.

Legs on show: Twilight star Ashley Greene kept it short and sweet in a pair of Daisy Dukes

Shady characters: Miguel (left) and Usher (right) in the VIP area

Usher, meanwhile, hid behind a pair of shades, even when protected by the backstage tent - he posed with fellow singer Miguel as the event started to rumble into action.
Regular punters had less concern about how to keep stylish in the oven-hot heat, and simply stripped off their clothes
Coachella has become synonymous with fashion, as well as music.

VIP treatment: Dita Von Teese and her boyfriend and safari -ready Jack Osbourne joins in the festivities

Pucker up: Nicky Hilton was seen kissing her boyfriend David Katzenberg by the bar as the pair soaked up the sunshine

Increasingly that fashion has become daring, as crowds - who have largely headed east from Los Angeles - strive to find unique ways to stand out from their peers while keeping cool.
Today marks the beginning of the event, which runs until Sunday.
It boasts a stellar line up, and tickets are selling from touts at $600.

Flower power: A pair of girls soak up the sunshine and enjoy a cigarette simply wearing flowers to cover themselves

Crowds: Thousands got in the party spirit for the beginning of Coachella today

Keeping cool: Many revellers stripped off to keep cool

It wasn't just the temperatures that were hotting up and Whitney Port, Nicky Hilton and Dita Von Teese were all seen getting close to their respective beaus while enjoying the festivities.

Indeed heiress Nicky was seen puckering up to her man at the bar while taking in the scene.
The socialite has been with beau David Katzenberg since 2006 but they looked like love's young dream as they canoodled together in the sunshine.

Crowd pleaser: Lauryn Hill took to the stage on the first day of the festival

What a show: The former Fugees star performed with a band and backing singers

Cee Lo Green is just one of the big names that revellers get to enjoy, the weekend will see performances from Kanye West, surprise Grammy winners Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Plan B, Suede and many, many more.
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