The Twelfth of July celebrations are already in full flow across the country and thousands take part in commemorating the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
Upwards an estimated half a million people are expected to participate or spectate as Orangemen, women and juniors, accompanied by in the region of 600 marching bands, will step out at the various locations.
Ahead of the 2023 celebrations, Grand Master Most Wor. Bro. Edward Stevenson said: “The high calibre of music provided by some of the finest marching bands in the country will certainly add to the festival atmosphere.
Read more: Times and locations of all Twelfth of July parades taking place across NI
"We are really looking forward to another glorious Twelfth.”
This year, 18 venues in Northern Ireland will be playing host to processions to mark the Twelfth.
Here is what you need to know:
What time are the Twelfth of July parades 2023?
Lurgan
Start: Brownlow House
Time: 10am
Platform proceedings: Brownlow House, 1.45pm
Return: 2.45pm
Belfast
Start: Carlisle Circus
Time: 10am
Platform proceedings: Barnett’s Demesne, 2.30pm
Return: 3.30pm
Start: Church Street Car Park
Time: 12.30pm
Platform proceedings: Brooke Park
Return: 4.30pm
Randalstown
Start: Shane's Street
Time: 11am
Platform proceedings: Dunmore Park,
Return: 3.30pm
Ballycastle
Start: Ramoan Road
Time: 1pm
Platform proceedings: Quay Road Playing Fields, 3pm
Return: 4pm
Portglenone
Start: Portglenone Free Presbyterian Church
Time: 12.30pm
Platform proceedings: Clay Road
Broughshane
Start: Commons, Tullymore Road
Time: 12pm
Platform proceedings: Buckna Road, 2.30pm
Return: 4pm
Loughbrickland
Start: Scarva Road
Time: 12pm
Platform proceedings: Grovehill Road, 2.30pm
Return: 3.30pm
Start: Bangor Orange Hall
Time: 12pm
Platform proceedings: Ward Park, 11.15am (before parade)
Return: 3.45pm
Comber
Start: Park Way Playing Fields
Time: 12pm
Platform proceedings: Park Way Playing Fields, 2pm
Kilkeel
Start: Kilkeel Orange Hall
Time: 11am
Platform proceedings: Queen Elizabeth II Park, 2.15pm
Return: 4pm
Ballinamallard
Start: Ballinamallard United FC
Time: 11.45am
Platform proceedings: Makenny Road, 2pm
Return: 2.25pm
Coleraine
Start: Union Street
Time: 12pm
Platform proceedings: 2pm
Return: 3.30pm
Magherafelt
Start: Castledawson Road
Time: 12pm
Platform proceedings: Moneymore Road, 2pm
Return: 3.30pm
Start: Lord Northland Memorial Park
Time: 1pm
Platform proceedings: Lord Northland Memorial Park, 12pm (before parade)
Clougher
Start: Station Road
Time: 12.15pm
Platform proceedings: Dunwoody’s Hill, 2.15pm
Return: 4.15pm
Dromore
Start: Omagh Road
Time: 12.20pm
Platform proceedings: Trillick/Fintona Road junction, 2pm
Return: 4pm
Upper Ballinderry
Start: Ballinderry Road
Time: 11.30am
Platform proceedings: Lower Ballinderry Road, 2pm
Return: 4.30pm
What is the weather for July 12 in Northern Ireland?
With the Twelfth of July celebrations in full force across Northern Ireland, the Met Office has warned of some unpleasant weather conditions.
And while it may rain for the next few days, over July 11, 12 and 13, it won't dampen the spirits of those who come out in their thousands for various events within their areas.
They said: "A few brighter spells but often cloudy with some passing showers, especially across the north and west. Maximum temperature 19 °C."
Road closures in Northern Ireland for Twelfth of July 2023
The Belfast city parade will leave Belfast Orange Hall, at Carlisle Circus, at 10am and will make its way along Clifton Street, Donegall Street, Royal Avenue and Donegall Place to Belfast City Hall for a wreath-laying ceremony then the parade will then proceed via Donegall Square West, Bedford Street, Dublin Road, Shaftsbury Square, Bradbury Place, Lisburn Road, Balmoral Avenue and Malone Road to the field at Barnett’s Demesne.
In and around Belfast city centre a number of roads will be closed at the times and locations listed below:
Wednesday Morning Closures
- Shaftesbury Square 07:30
- A12 Westlink - Clifton St off slips 0830 - 1130
- Frederick Street 0815 - 1130
- Great Patrick Street 0830 - 1130
- Albertbridge Road 0915 - 1130
- Short Strand 0930 - 1130
- Station Street 0915 - 1130
- M3 Bridge offslip to Middlepath Street 0915 - 1130
- A2 Sydenham By Pass off-slip to Middlepath Street 0930 - 1130
- Middlepath Street 0930 - 1130
Wednesday Afternoon Evening
- M3 Offslip 18:00 - 19:30
- Bridge End 18:00 - 19:30
- Middlepath Street & Bridge End 18:00 -19:30
- Donegall Quay 18:20 - 20:00
- Queens Bridge 18:20 - 20:00
- Oxford Street 18:30 - 20:00
- Cromac Street 1830 - 20:00
- East Bridge & May Street 18:20 - 20:00
- Middlepath Street barriers 18:45 - 20:00
- Upper Malone Road 11:00 - 18:00
- Shaftesbury Square 08:15 - 19:00
Diversions will be in place and delays can be expected.
Lurgan
Road users are advised of disruption which is expected in Lurgan due to planned parades for the Twelfth of July.
Lurgan town centre will be closed to all through traffic from 8.30am, with the parade scheduled to move off from Russell Drive at 9am and finish at approximately 6pm. Diversions are in place.
Disruption should be expected in the Brownlow House area between 1pm and 2.45pm, residents will be facilitated between these times.
Traffic travelling from Banbridge, through Lurgan should travel via Dunkirk Road, Deans Road, Moyraverty West Road.
Traffic travelling from Gilford, should travel via Dunkirk Road, Deans Road, Moyraverty West Road.
M1 Westbound traffic should remain on until Kinnego – Lough Road junction.
Approved parking will be available via Avenue Road with Lurgan Park open for parking.
Edward Street, North Street, William Street and Church Place will be open throughout.
Loughbrickland
Road users are advised of disruption which is expected in Loughbrickland due to planned parades for the Twelfth of July.
Loughbrickland will be closed to all through traffic from 10am, with the parade scheduled to move off from Legananny Road at 12pm and finish at approximately 6pm.
All A1 exits into the village will be closed.
Southbound traffic should exit at Loughends Road junction or Banbridge junction for Rathfriland traffic.
Northbound traffic should exit at the Boulevard exit.
Traffic travelling from Scarva, diversions will be at Lisnagade and Coolnacran Roads.
Traffic travelling from Rathfriland, diversions will be at Grovehill Road / Ballynanny Road junction.
Parking is located on Banbridge Road and Grovehill Road. Spectator traffic should enter via Loughends Road and Grovehill Road.
Clogher
The 2023 Clogher Valley 12th of July parades will be held in Clogher, Co. Tyrone, hosted by Fivemiletown District LOL No.15.
Parking is available at The Mart on Station Road.
Disabled parking will be at suitable locations along the route on a first-come, first-served basis.
Local diversions will be in place until the parade has concluded. Motorists travelling southbound to Enniskillen will be diverted at Ballygawley Roundabout towards Omagh, then to Fintona and Tempo. Motorists travelling northbound towards Ballygawley will be diverted at Fivemiletown.
Those wishing to trade along the route must have a valid Street Traders License issued by Mid Ulster District Council.
Dungannon
Motorists are advised that no parking will be facilitated along the A29 road, between the junctions of Ranfurly Road and Wellington Road, and the Gortmerron Link Road junction, at this Wednesday's Twelfth of July parade in Dungannon.
Instead, parking will be available in the Lord Northland Memorial Park, and in local car parks. Diversions will be in place around the town and along the parade route. We would ask that drivers leave extra time to complete their journeys safely.
Magherafelt
The 2023 South Londonderry 12th of July parades will be held in Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry, hosted by Magherafelt District LOL No.3.
There will no parking along Queen Street and Castledawson Road is reserved for buses only. As such, double yellow line restrictions will be enforced at these locations. No Waiting road traffic cones will be in place.
Disabled parking will be available at suitable locations along the route on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking can be facilitated in the demonstration field for those who hold a suitable pass.
Local diversions will be in place until the parade has concluded.
Motorists travelling southbound towards Magherafelt will be diverted at the Castledawson roundabout and motorists travelling northbound will be diverted at the Moneymore Road new bypass.
Those wishing to trade along the route must have a valid Street Traders License issued by Mid Ulster District Council.
Ballinamallard
Road users are advised to expect disruption in Ballinamallard due to planned parades for the Twelfth of July.
Ballinamallard will be closed to all through traffic from 10am, with the Co Fermanagh parade assembling in the Ballinamallard Football Club grounds on the Enniskillen Road. Approved parking will be available on the day.
The parade is scheduled to move off at 11.45am from the Enniskillen Road to Main Street and Makenny Road. The return parade is expected to leave the demonstration field at approximately 3.15pm.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here
