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Traffic and travel advice for St Patrick’s Day in Belfast

Date: 12 March 2026

Performers and musicians join the Lord Mayor of Belfast outside City Hall to launch St Patrick's Day programme for Belfast.

Traffic diversions will be in place in and around Belfast city centre on Tuesday 17 March due to events taking place to mark St Patrick’s Day.

Visitors and participants are advised to plan their journey in advance and leave extra time to travel to and from the city centre.

Motorists can expect some delays and diversions during the SPAR Craic 10K event, organised by Aisling Events, which leaves from City Hall at 9am and ends at Ormeau Park. The route takes in the city centre, as well as Falls Road, Stranmillis Embankment and Ormeau Road, from approximately 8am to 11am.

There will also be some disruption along the route of the council’s St Patrick’s Day parade, which starts from City Hall at 1.30pm and follows a circular route, via Chichester Street, Victoria Street, High Street, Castle Place and Donegall Place, before heading back to City Hall.

Rolling diversions will be in place from 12.30pm to 3:30pm, in and around the following areas:

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

Road closures will also be in place between 12.30pm and 6pm on Tuesday 17 March to accommodate the St Patrick’s Music Festival in the Cathedral Quarter.

These include:

  • 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 Street (from York Street Junction to Academy Street Junction

Translink will operate a holiday service throughout the day on Tuesday 17 March, and there may be some diversions while the parade is taking place.

For the latest information, check bus stop display screens or visit www.translink.co.uk 

Full details of all planned events, road closures, car parking and traffic arrangements for St Patrick’s Day can be found at belfastcity.gov.uk/stpatricks

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