Belfast is alive with the buzz of St Patrick's Day as a number of celebrations take place across the city.
The focal point of the big day is once again the Beat Carnival's annual St Patrick's Day parade that will bring music, colour and life to the streets of the city centre.
If you are planning to head into the city to join the celebrations or need to access the city centre throughout the day, there are a number of things to know ahead of the parade.
Watch: Preparations underway for Belfast's St Patrick's Day parade
We have summarised all you need to know about Belfast's St Patrick's Day parade 2023:
What is the theme of Belfast's St Patrick's Day parade?
The focus in 2023 will be a celebration of local music across various genres, paying tribute to the city’s UNESCO City of Music status.
The parade's theme is ‘Voices of Belfast’ and will celebrate Belfast’s music heritage from pop to punk and traditional to disco.
What time does the Belfast St Patrick's Day parade start?
St Patrick's Day celebrations will be taking place all day throughout the city.
The parade officially kicks off from outside Belfast City Hall at 1.30pm.
The route will enable good viewing opportunities and people are encouraged to watch from footpaths on both sides of the streets along the parade's route.
The parade is a free event.
What is the Belfast parade route for St Patrick's Day 2023?
The map shows the route of this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade on 17 March, leaving City Hall at 1.30pm.
The parade starts from Belfast City Hall at 1.30pm, weaving its way through the city centre via Chichester Street, turning left into Victoria Street, then left again at High Street and along Castle Place.
It will then turn left into Donegall Place, making its way back to Belfast City Hall.
Road closures in place for Belfast St Patrick's Day parade
On St Patrick's Day, Friday March 17, traffic disruption is expected as the annual parade leaves Belfast City Hall at 1.30pm to travel down Chichester St, Victoria St and High St, before returning to City Hall, via Donegall Place.
Motorists can expect some disruption along the parade route with rolling diversions in place from 12.30pm through to 2.30pm on roads and streets that intersect with the route.
This includes the following closures:
- 12.30pm – Closure of Donegall Square West
- 12.30pm – Closure of College Square East and Wellington Place
- 12.30pm – Closure of High Street (inner), Castle Place, Royal Avenue and Donegall Place
- 12.30pm – Closure of Victoria Street
- 12.40pm – Closure of Bridge Street
- 12.50pm – Closure of Chichester Street
- 12.50pm – Closure of Ann Street
Translink St Patrick's Day transport
Translink is advising passengers that buses and trains will operate holiday timetables for St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, 17th March.
Metro, Glider and Ulsterbus will be operating Saturday and holiday timetables.
While trains, including the cross-border Enterprise, will be running a Saturday timetable on St. Patrick’s Day.
Passengers should check the timetable for their journey in advance on the Translink website, www.translink.co.uk, by using the Journey Planner, or by phoning our Contact Centre for information 02890 666630.
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