Belfast City Council has scheduled St Patrick’s Day events from 1 to 17 March. Activities span music performances, a parade and family programmes organised with local groups.

The parade starts at City Hall at 1.30pm on 17 March. Participants include dance groups, schools, community organisations and musicians. The route covers Chichester Street, Victoria Street, High Street, Castle Place and Donegall Place before looping back to City Hall.

Belfast TradFest runs its music festival from 13 to 17 March. On 17 March after the parade, a festival area in the Cathedral Quarter opens from 1pm to 5pm. Events feature piping contests, set dancing, céili dancing, walks, bodhrán sessions, a picnic and family options at Writers’ Square and St Anne’s Square.

Ticketed concerts include performances by Dougie MacLean with Ursula Burns and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh Band with Andy Irvine at Mandela Hall on 14 March, a pipe band event at City Hall on 15 March, Michael McGoldrick Trio with Music Generation Cross Border Folk Orchestra at Ulster Hall on 16 March, and The Bow Brothers with Aoife Scott Band at The MAC on 17 March.

Féile an Phobail offers music sessions and workshops from 10 to 17 March with more than 100 events on its trail. St George’s Market hosts music on 14 and 15 March including Ards CCÉ acts alongside trader deals and family events. Spraoi Cois Lao occurs at Custom House Square on 7 March from 1pm to 4pm with music, dance, Zumba, céili, beginner sessions and Irish-language food stalls, run by Conradh na Gaeilge and Féile an Phobail. Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia provides Irish language events from 1 to 17 March for beginners and speakers.

A Spar Craic 10K race departs City Hall at 9am ahead of the parade. Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly noted partnerships with organisers deliver inclusive events on arts, culture and heritage. Details appear at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/stpatricks.