St Patrick's Day Parade

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 will leave City Hall and travel down Chichester Street, left onto Victoria Street, then left into High Street, onto Castle Place, and left into Donegall Place before finally returning to City Hall.

There will be traffic restrictions and diversions in Belfast city centre from 8am for the SPAR Craic 10k, during the St Patrick’s Day parade and up to 6pm for the Tradfest St Patrick’s Day Music Festival. 

Motorists and bus services can expect some disruption along the parade route with rolling diversions in place from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on roads and streets that intersect with the parade route. Closures will be in place at:

• 12.30pm - Donegall Square West
• 12.30pm - College Square East and Wellington Place 
• 12.30pm - High Street (inner), Castle Place, Royal Avenue and Donegall Place
• 12.30pm - Victoria Street 
• 12.40pm - Bridge Street
• 12.50pm - Chichester Street
• 12.50pm - Ann Street
• 12.30pm - Upper Arthur Street, Seymour Street and Skipper Street partially closed as they lead onto the route.

Road closures for St Patrick’s Day Music Festival centred in the Cathedral Quarter will take place between 12.30pm and 6pm at:

• Donegall Street (section between Talbot Street and Academy Street)
• Exchange Street West (between Talbot Street and Academy Street)
• Academy Street (at Great Patrick Street)
• Curtis Street (at York Street junction)
• Donegall (from York Street Junction to Academy Street Junction).

There will also be no on-street parking, including blue badge spaces, from 6am to 3pm along Donegall Place, High Street and Bridge Street to accommodate the parade and spectators. 

Access to and from High Park and Victora Square car parks will be restricted as the parade passes.

We strongly advise everyone to allow additional journey time if travelling by car or public transport to the parade event as the city centre will be extremely busy. You should allow for time to park further away than normal.

Where is the event happening?

The parade will take place in Belfast City Centre starting from the front of City Hall via:

• Donegall Square North
• Chichester Street
• Victoria Street
• High Street
• Castle Place
• Donegall Place returning to City Hall.

What time does event start and end?

The parade will leave City Hall on Tuesday 17 March at 1.30pm moving through the city centre returning to City Hall at approx. 3pm. 

Is City Hall and the grounds open to the public?

City Hall will be closed to the public until 2pm.

The Bobbin café is not open on Tuesday 17 March.

The grounds are closed to the public all day.

Is the event accessible?

We are committed to ensuring events are accessible and inclusive. Facilities available on site include:

• an accessible viewing area is located on Chichester Street within the Glider Stop. This is intended for people using wheelchairs and their companions, first come first serve. 
• Audio Description will be provided for people who are blind/ with sight loss. For more information and to book, email [email protected].

For those who want to view the parade from a quieter and less crowded position you may want to stand around The Albert Clock and there will be a large screen at the junction of High Street and Donegall Place.

There are public car parks within close proximity to the venue with disabled car parking spaces on a first-come, first-served basis. Find out more about public car parks.

Are there toilets available at this event?

There is no dedicated toilet provision at the parade for attendees other than the normal city centre facilities in place.

Will there be first aid on site?

Yes - there will be First Aid at this event. Go to your nearest steward on site for assistance.

If I feel unwell during the event, what should I do?

Speak to your nearest steward who will assist you. We have first aiders on site.

Will the event be stewarded?

Yes - this event will have steward personnel employed for the event.

Where are the parking facilities for this event?

There is no designated parking for the parade, but many city centre car parks will be open. Find out more about car parking.

We also encourage attendees to travel by foot, bicycle and utilise public transport.

• Find out more from www.translink.co.uk

Belfast Bike Docking stations are available across the city centre.

Will the parade still happen if it’s raining?

Yes, dress appropriately for the weather.

Can I take photos and videos at this event?

Yes, but for personal use only or if you have been given permission to do so by the organisers of the event.

Where can I find out more information about the St Patrick's Day Parade in Belfast?

• Find out more about our St Patrick's Day Parade

Where can I find out more information about other St Patrick's Day Celebrations in the city?

• Find out more about all our St Patrick's celebrations