Belfast’s annual St Patrick’s celebrations will return in March with a fantastic, authentic, welcoming line-up.

From traditional music and dance events to a free family-friendly concert— Belfast City Council's plans for St Patrick's Day can be revealed. Along with the main parade through the city centre, a range of other events and activities are planned from Friday March 10th.

This year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade by Beat Carnival is a colourful pageant of costume, music, dance, circus and theatrical performance. The theme is ‘Voices of Belfast’ and it will celebrate Belfast’s vibrant music heritage from pop to punk and traditional to disco.

This year’s parade route starts from Belfast City Hall at 1.30pm, weaving its way through the city centre via Chichester Street, Victoria Street, High Street, Castle Place and Donegall Place, back to City Hall. The route will enable good viewing opportunities for the public, and people are encouraged to gather along footpaths on both sides of the streets right around the route.