The Twelfth 2025: Tens of thousands take part in celebrations in scorching temperatures
This year's events have heard calls for unionist political parties to work together.
The festivities have been spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II.
The parades consist of Orange lodges accompanied by marching bands and supported by spectators along the routes.
When the parades reach demonstration fields, a religious service is observed and speeches delivered before the march home.
This year's celebrations took place with temperatures above 25C right across Northern Ireland.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson addressed the parade in Belfast, while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly delivered a speech at the Lisburn parade. Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann spoke at the parade in Carnlough, Co Antrim.
Orange Order deputy grand master Harold Henning told the parade in Maghera, Co Londonderry, that unionist political parties had to work together.
He said: "The leadership of this institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government.
"Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged - more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self -interest.
"Let's get that message out to our politicians - as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism."
One of the largest parades took place in Keady, Co Armagh, where Orange Order grand secretary Mervyn Gibson spoke about the strengths of the union.
He said: "We need to promote the union at every opportunity - a union that has stood the test of time and continues to offer its citizens stability, opportunity, and purpose.
"At its heart, the United Kingdom is more than just a political entity.
"It is a partnership of four nations England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland - each with its own identity, traditions, and strengths.
"Let us concentrate on building and promoting this union which a generation defended during the Troubles against the murderous, cowardly terrorist campaign of republicans."
On Saturday morning, an Orange Order feeder parade passed the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast without incident.
On Sunday, a return parade will return past the shops - but will be restricted to one band and 50 members of the order.
Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will take place on Monday.
The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James.
The Twelfth celebrations come after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with a "challenging" situation and one firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim.
Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Andrew Muir said he was "very disappointed" that a controversial bonfire in south Belfast was lit despite warnings of asbestos on the site.
Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, about 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission.
Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy.
More than 4,000 police officers and police staff are working on July 12.
On the 11th night, about 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires.
The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year.
The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles.
The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still.
This is because of falling police numbers and the resulting increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events.
Follow how the day unfolded here:
23 minutes ago
Thank you for joining us
That brings an end to our live coverage of the Twelfth of July parades across Northern Ireland. Thank you for joining us.
Today 04:37 PM
Watch: Twelfth celebrations take place across Northern Ireland
Watch: Twelfth celebrations take place across Northern Ireland
The Twelfth celebrations take place across Northern Ireland.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 04:33 PM
Hottest day in Northern Ireland in years
Temperatures have reached 30C in Northern Ireland for the first time in almost three years.
In a post on X the Met Office said 30C had been recorded in Magilligan, marking the first time the milestone had been reached in Northern Ireland since July 18 2022.
Today 03:55 PM
The Twelfth in pictures: Parade galleries from across Northern Ireland
The Twelfth in pictures: Parade galleries from across Northern Ireland
There were 19 major parades across Northern Ireland to mark The Twelfth.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 03:36 PM
Watch: Belfast parade
Today 03:28 PM
Images from Coleraine parade
Today 02:56 PM
Bannsiders on the march
Pride of the Bann making their way up Railway Road in Coleraine.
Today 02:54 PM
Parades continue in Co Londonderry
Bruce's True Blues Accordion Band from Bellaghy on the march in Maghera.
Today 02:45 PM
Orangemen explain culture of Twelfth as Keady hosts Armagh lodges: 'It's like we're all brothers'
High temperatures brought families from across Co Armagh to Keady to celebrate 2025's Twelfth of July on Saturday.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 02:39 PM
Belfast parade basking in beautiful sunshine
'Forty-nine years I've walked to the field and back': Belfast Twelfth spectators and long-time marchers rejoice in the sunny celebrations
With the blow of a whistle and a snap from a snare, thousands of Orange Order members descended onto Belfast City Centre for the annual Twelfth of July parades.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 02:29 PM
Well-known faces
Loughgall FC manager Darren Murphy and the DUP's Jonathan Buckley were all smiles on parade in Keady, Co Armagh
Today 02:22 PM
All dressed up
If there's a more dapper looking boy at the parades than Hugo in Newtownabbey, we haven't seen him.
Today 02:13 PM
The Twelfth on GB News: A review
Many outside NI may not have a clue what they've just watched on GB News, but it was still great fun
Dodgy camera work akin to a Facebook live feed? Check. Dame Arlene Foster wearing orange? Check. Charlie Lawson as unfiltered as ever? Check. Presenters back in the studio who have little clue as to what's occurring? Check.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 02:02 PM
NIO Minister in Keady
Fleur Anderson from the Northern Ireland Office has been attending the Twelfth parade in Keady, Co Armagh.
She said: "Thank you to the County Armagh Grand Lodge for the very warm welcome today. It was great to join so many families watching the bands."
Today 01:59 PM
More from the Newtownabbey parade
Today 01:53 PM
Bands on parade in Newtownards, Co Down
Today 01:44 PM
Platform speeches
Platform proceedings are underway at several Twelfth venues. This is the scene in the demonstration field in Augher, Co Tyrone.
Today 01:13 PM
Horsing around
John Toner is at the Twelfth parade in Augher, where Fivemiletown lodge was accompanied by a horse and cart.
Today 01:10 PM
And in Newtownabbey...
Twelfth parades are in full swing across Northern Ireland. This is the scene in Newtownabbey from Ellie McAuley.
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