St Patrick's Day Parade times, route and road closures in Belfast this week
Last updated 14th Mar 2026
A dazzling display of costume, music, dance and theatrical performance will bring the streets of Belfast alive this St Patrick’s Day.
Belfast's annual parade will weave its way through the city centre on Tuesday 17th March.
With colourful live performance and a high energy soundtrack, this year’s parade will include some new elements to celebrate the legends of St Patrick.
Local dance troupes, schools, community groups and musicians will also be taking part in the spectacle.
This is a diverse multi-cultural, cross community celebration and everyone is welcome. The parade is a free event, you do not need a ticket.
If you plan on visiting the city centre on Tuesday to celebrate, there’s some important things to remember like road closures and event times.
We’ve got you covered below…
What time does Belfast’s St Patrick’s Day Parade start?
The parade officially kicks off from outside Belfast City Hall at 1.30pm. It is a free event, so to avoid disappointment for a good viewing spot, allow plenty of time to access the city centre.
What is the St Patrick’s Day Parade route in Belfast?
The map below 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.
What are the road closures in Belfast this weekend?
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).
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