Twelfth 2026: Grand Master's message ahead of 19 major parades on Monday: here are all their details

Over 1,000 lodges are taking part in the 2026 celebrations, which are happening on Monday due to July 12 falling on the sabbath this year.

They will be accompanied by about 600 marching bands – with the biggest single demonstration of the day being in Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh.

And if the forecasts are to be believed, it looks set to be dry and sunny.

Harold Henning told the News Letter: “As we approach our traditional Twelfth celebrations, there is a real sense of anticipation and excitement amongst the orange family.

"In Orange Halls and homes all across Ulster, our members are making preparations ahead of the big day.

"Banners are being hung, flags and bunting erected and the important business of preparing sandwiches for the field.

“In the past number of weeks, I have been privileged to attend a range of events including the dedication of new banners, the opening of refurbished facilities and the presentation of new band uniforms.

"All these are major milestones in the life of local communities and illustrate the ongoing relevance and importance of the Orange tradition in communities across the country.

“Many of our recent pre-Twelfth events have witnessed large numbers of participants and spectators, and what is very encouraging is the amount of young people actively engaged in the Orange tradition – both as members of our junior and senior lodges and in the ranks of our local bands, many of whom are experiencing a resurgence in interest.

“I wish everyone a successful, enjoyable and peaceful Twelfth and trust that the weather forecasters have got it right and that we once again enjoy a wonderful sunny day, which will no doubt be enjoyed by huge numbers of spectators and participants at our 18 venues.”

Of course for the Orange fraternity in Co Donegal, Saturday, not Monday, was their big day.

The annual parade in the seaside village of Rossnowlagh got underway at 12.30pm at St John’s Parish Church.

Below are the details of all 18 of Northern Irish Orange parades on Monday, plus the Independent Orange one.

⬤ BELFAST

A wreath will be laid at the cenotaph beside City Hall just before 10.20am.

The main parade will then proceed from 10.40am at Donegall Square West along Bedford Street, Dublin Road, Shaftesbury Square, Bradbury Place, Lisburn Road, Balmoral Avenue, and the Malone Road, arriving at the demonstration field in Barnett Demesne at Shawsbridge at about 12.45pm.

Platform proceedings are due to commence at 2.30pm, and the return parade will commence at 4pm.

At Barnett Demesne there will be a food village and fun fair, plus family-friendly activities hosted by Belfast Orangefest.

This Twelfth in Belfast will be live streamed on the News Letter’s Facebook page.

⬤ RATHFRILAND

The parade will commence at noon from the assembly field on Newry Road, and will go along Newry Lower Church Square, Upper Church Square, Main Street, Downpatrick Street, to Castlewellan Road and the demonstration field.

Platform proceedings start at 2.45pm, and the return parade will commence at 4pm.

The parade will include 100 lodges and 90 bands, and will be led by Closkelt LOL 415 and Closkelt Pipe Band.

During the day’s proceedings, a wreath will be laid at the town’s cenotaph by district officers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the killing of the Herron family who perished as a result of an IRA firebomb attack on their shop in Dromore.

⬤ COOKSTOWN

The parade will commence at noon from the assembly field on Grange Road.

It proceeds along Tullywigan Road, Dungannon Road, Killymoon Street, Church Street, Chapel Street, Loy Street, James Street, William Street, Oldtown Street, Milburn Street, Moneymore Road and East Circular Road.

Platform proceedings will commence at 2.30pm, and the return parade will begin at 3.20pm.

Tamlaghtmore Ark of Safety LOL 469 will lead the parade accompanied by Tamlaghtmore Silver Band.

⬤ LARNE

The parade will commence at 11am from the assembly area located at Inver Road/Glynn Road.

It then goes by Bridge Street, High Street, Upper Main Street, Main Street, Agnew Street, Old Glenarm Road, Herbert Avenue, Greenland Drive, Newington Avenue, Glenarm Road, Curran Road, Bay Road, Chaine Memorial Road, Rugby Road to the demonstration field for 1pm.

Platform proceedings start at 2pm, with the return parade at 3.30pm.

"King William III” will make be on parade on horseback.

Some 70 lodges are taking part alongside about 40 bands, led by Boyne Defenders LOL 1297 (celebrating their 125th anniversary) accompanied by the Constable Anderson Memorial Flute Band (65th anniversary).

⬤ CASTLEDERG

The parade starts at 12.30pm from the assembly field located just off the Strabane Road.

It goes via Strabane Road, Upper Strabane Road, John Street, Main Street and onwards to the demonstration field on Castlegore Road at 2pm, where there will be children’s entertainment and a Highland dance display, followed by platform proceedings at 2.30pm.

The return parade starts at 4.30pm.

The parade will be led by Sixmilecross District LOL No.7 accompanied by Brackey Flute Band.

⬤ BALLYMENA

Some 30 local lodges and 17 bands will be on parade, led by Craigywarren LOL 476 accompanied by Craigywarren Flute Band.

The Parade will begin 12.30pm at the assembly field on Brooke Park.

It will go along Wakehurst Road, Queen Street, Henry Street, Harryville Bridge, Church Street, Broughshane Street, Chapel Roundabout and to the field at Cushendall Road for 2.30pm, where there will be children’s entertainment.

Platform proceedings will be at 3pm, and return parade at 4.30pm.

There will be awards for best band, best Lambeg drums and best turned-out lodge.

⬤ GLENARM

Carnalbana LOL 595 will lead the parade accompanied by Carnalbana Flute Band and nine other bands.

The parade begins at noon from the assembly field at the Cloney, and travels along the Coast Road, New Road, Coast Road, Mark Street, The Vennel, Atlmore Street, Toberwine Street, Coast Road, to Straidkilly Road, where the demonstration field is, at 2pm.

There there will be activities and entertainment for younger visitors.

Platform proceedings will commence at 3pm, and the return parade will begin at 4pm.

⬤ KILREA

The Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Wor Bro Rev Mervyn Gibson MBE will be the principal guest speaker during the platform proceedings in Kilrea.

The parade will begin at noon from Drumagarner Road, and will go via Maghera Street, Old Market Yard, Church Street, War Memorial, Bridge Street, Mill Road, Coleraine Street, Maghera Street, to the field at Garvagh Road at 12.45pm.

Platform proceedings at 2pm, return parade at 3.30pm.

At the head of the parade will be Tamlaght O’Crilly Pipe Band leading their own lodge, Tamlaght O'Crilly Ulster Defenders LOL 228.

⬤ AUGHNACLOY

Hosts Annahoe District LOL No.6 will be joined by the members of Fivemiletown District LOL No.15 who will lead the parade of 25 lodges and bands.

Visiting brethren from Co Monaghan will also be taking part.

The parade starts at 12.30pm at the assembly field on Tullyvar Road, and goes via Moore Street, Dungannon Road, and Carnteel Road, arriving at the field there at 1.15pm.

Platform proceedings start at 2pm, return parade at 3.30pm.

⬤ NEWTOWNHAMILTON

The big one.

Some 11 district lodges will be on parade, with a total of 150 private lodges and over 5,000 brethren in total, plus lodges from the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland and juniors.

They will be accompanied by about 70 bands.

There will be around four Scottish bands on parade, and dozens of Lambeg drums.

The parade will commence at 10.30am from the assembly field on Newry Road, and will go via Newry Road, Newry Street, Shambles Lane, The Commons, Armagh Street, to the Castleblayney Street field at 11am.

Platform proceedings at 2pm, return parade 3pm.

New banners from Kilcluney Temperance Volunteers LOL 132 and Drumnahuncheon Apprentice Boys LOL 371 will be on display.

Newly-formed Loyal Daughters of Sloans JWLOL 35 will experience their first Twelfth this year.

⬤ KILLYLEAGH

Lecale District LOL No2 will be hosting the Twelfth in Killyleagh, County Down.

Five district lodges will be taking part accompanied by 37 bands.

The parade will be led by The William Savage Memorial Flute Band.

It starts at noon from the assembly field on Shrigley Road, opposite Killyleagh Primary School, and goes along Castle Lane, Plantation Street, Catherine Street, Irish Street, Seaview, Shore Street, High Street, Frederick Street, and Cross Street to the field at Comber Road for 1pm, where there will be entertainment.

Platform proceedings at 2pm, return parade at 4pm.

⬤ ROYAL HILLSBOROUGH

Over 60 lodges are involved in the parade, led by Star of the Maze LOL 130 accompanied by Dunmurry Protestant Boys Flute Band.

It starts at 11.30am from the assembly field on Culcavy Road, and goes along Lisburn Street and Main Street to the field at Hillsborough Fort for 12.30pm.

Platform proceedings 2pm, return parade 4pm.

Imperial Grand Master Most Wor Bro Edward Stevenson will be the principal guest speaker.

⬤ BALLYMONEY

Five district lodges will be taking part, totalling 43 lodges in all, alongside 22 bands.

It will be led by Ballymoney District Officer accompanied by Cloughmills Crown Defenders Flute Band.

It starts at 1pm from Ballymoney Showgrounds, and goes along Charlotte Street, Main Street, Meetinghouse Street, Newal Road, Trinity Drive, John Street, Victoria Street, Linenhall Street, High Street, Model School Road, North Road, and then returns to the showgrounds.

Platform proceedings 2.15pm, return parade 4.15pm.

Children’s entertainment will be provided in the showgrounds.

⬤ MAGUIRESBRIDGE

This parade involves 20 districts, totalling 90 lodges, and around 65 bands.

Lisbellaw District LOL No.2 will lead the parade with the members of Lisbellaw True Blues LOL 315, accompanied by Lisbellaw Accordion Band.

Brethren from the counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, and Monaghan will be in attendance.

It starts at noon in the field on Gardiners Cross Road, and goes along the Belfast Road, Gardiners Road, and Main Street, to the demonstration field on Lisnagole Road Road for 1.30pm.

Platform proceedings 2pm, return parade 3pm.

The newly formed Lisbellaw Sons of William JLOL 22 will be taking part in their first Twelfth parade.

⬤ PORTGLENONE

The parade will be led by McNeillstown LOL 1071 accompanied by McNeillstown Pipe Band, celebrating their 80th anniversary.

Ahoghill Accordion Band, which has recently reformed, will be making their first Twelfth appearance in 25 years.

Parade begins at 12.30pm at the assembly area adjacent to Portglenone Free Presbyterian Church on Hiltonstown Road, and goes along Cullybackey Road, Main Street, Bann Bridge, Clady Road, Bann Bridge, Main Street, to the demonstration field on Gortgole Road for1.30pm.

Platform proceedings 2.45pm, return parade 4pm.

⬤ BALLYMARTIN

The parade involves about 1,600 participants, including 15 bands.

This year, Glenloughan Heroes LOL 1914 will lead the parade accompanied by Glenloughan Flute Band.

This year marks the 225th anniversary of Mourne District LOL No 6, the largest district lodge within the Orange Institution.

It starts at 12.30pm from the assembly field on Annalong Road, proceeding to the demonstration field on Main Road at 1pm.

Platform proceedings 2.15pm, return parade 4pm.

Following the parade, friends and family are invited to the demonstration field to enjoy a picnic provided by the lodges.

⬤ BALLYWALTER

Ballywalter last hosted the Twelfth in 2000.

There will be 40 bands on parade, led by Ballywalter Heroes LOL 1884 will lead the parade accompanied by the Ballywalter Flute Band.

Platform proceedings will be held at 11.30am in the assembly/demonstration field on Greyabbey Road ahead of the outward parade, which will set off at 12.30pm.

It goes along Main Street, Broadway, Dunover Road, Westland Road, Stump Road, Main Street, Well Road, and Park Avenue, returning to Greyabbey Road.

Return parade, 4.15pm.

⬤ LIMAVADY

There will be around 2,000 Orangemen, ladies and juniors taking part accompanied by 35 bands.

Limavady District LOL No.6 Officers will lead the parade.

It begins at noon from the assembly field on Church Street and goes along Ballyclose Street, Main Street, Linenhall Street, Catherine Street, Irish Green Street, Roemill Gardens, and to the field at Roemill Road, for 12.45pm

Platform proceedings 2pm, return parade 3.30pm.

⬤ RASHARKIN, INDEPENDENT ORANGE

The parade is expected to involve 16 bands and some 800 marchers in all.

It leaves the assembly field at Finvoy Road at 12.30pm and will proceed along Main Street and Church Road to the demonstration field for 1pm.

Imperial Grand Master Rt Wor Bro Phil Moffatt will speak about “the most recent visit of King Charles III to the Vatican City in Rome”.

The return route begins at 4pm.