Ballymena is the only town in NI that hosts a demonstration every yearTwelfth of July stock image(Image: Getty)

2025 marks the 335th anniversary of King William III’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne. Preparations are well underway across Northern Ireland for the Twelfth of July celebrations this year – with hundreds of thousands expected to take part and spectate across the country.

Co Antrim will host six demonstrations and parades this year – including Ballymena which is the only town in Northern Ireland which hosts one every year.

READ MORE: Twelfth of July parades and demonstrations taking place across Northern Ireland 2025 celebrationsREAD MORE: Belfast Council to spend £124,500 on bonfire alternative beacons this summer

See the full details of the Co Antrim celebrations below:

RASHARKIN

This year, the village of Rasharkin has the honour of hosting the North Antrim Combine Twelfth of July celebrations. The event promises to be a colourful and vibrant spectacle featuring 43 Lodges and 30 bands and Lambeg drums drawn from five local districts – Rasharkin District LOL No.5, Ballymoney District LOL No.16, Bushmills District LOL No.21, Ballycastle District LOL No.23 , and Cloughmills District LOL No.14.

The assembly point will be on the Finvoy Road with the parade starting at 1:00pm. Leading the parade will be the impressive Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors Flute Band who will take pride of place as the procession moves through Rasharkin village. The parade starts on Finvoy Road, before making its way through the village arriving at the Demonstration field at ‘The Turnpike.’

Platform proceedings start at approximately 2:30 pm where the guest speaker will be Rt. Wor. Bro. Maurice Kirkwood, County Grand Master of Antrim. The praise will be led by The Vow Accordion Band.

The Demonstration field will be full of family-friendly fun, including food vendors & refreshments, children’s entertainment, stalls and attractions for all ages. Toilets and First Aid facilities will be available on-site.

The return parade will commence at 4:15pm, leaving the Demonstration field and returning through Rasharkin village with dispersal on the Finvoy Road. Ballymoney District LOL No.16 will be leading the homeward parade.

BALLYMENA

The City of the Seven Towers is once again gearing up to host its traditional District Twelfth of July parade which will include the 27 local lodges, 17 bands as well as the traditional sounds of the iconic Lambeg Drum. The parade will also include some visiting Brethren from Cullybackey District.

The men’s senior lodges will be joined by two Ladies’ Lodges, two Junior Boys’ Lodges, and a Junior Girls’ Lodge. (Sister Turtle Memorial WLOL 14, Ferniskey WLOL 74, Ferniskey Rising Sons JLOL265, The Duke of Edinburgh Memorial JLOL 621 and newly formed Daughters of Ferniskey JWLOL 55 who will be making their Twelfth debut.)

The honour of leading the 2025 celebrations goes to Slatt LOL 475, who will head the parade accompanied by the ever-popular Pride of the Maine Flute Band who are celebrating their 50th Anniversary.

The parade will assemble at Wakehurst Road at 12:30pm, passing along Larne Road, Larne Street, Henry Street, over Harryville Bridge, through Waveney Road, Galgorm Road, the Pentagon, then down Lower Mill Street, Wellington Street, Ballymoney Street, and finally Thomas Street, arriving at The People’s Park.

The Platform Proceedings will take place at 2:30pm with a religious service led by Grand Chaplain Wor. Bro. Ian McClean. The principal speaker is delivered by Most Wor. Bro. Henry Dunbar, Past Grand Master of Scotland.

CARNLOUGH

The ‘Braid’ Twelfth this year will be held in Carnlough and will include 11 local Lodges.

9 Bands will accompany the Brethren along with 2 Sets of Lambeg Drums. This year, the parade will be led by Carnlough LOL 1180, accompanied by the Carnlough Flute Band.

The parade will begin at 12.00 noon from the assembly field located at the park on Bay Road. From there, the route continues through the heart of the village, before making its way up Largy Road to the Demonstration field, situated near St. Patrick’s Church.

Braid District have worked hard to make sure the day is an enjoyable experience for everyone. Toilets are available at the Demonstration field for public use and a clearly marked First Aid point will be located within the field, staffed by trained professionals.

For younger attendees, there will be bouncy castles and funfair-style attractions available during the afternoon. A selection of food vendors will be in attendance in the field to cater for hungry walkers and participants alike.

The platform proceedings will begin around 2.30pm when the principal speakers will include Wor. Bro. Rev. William Anderson and Wor. Bro. Robin Swann MP for South Antrim.

The parade will leave for its return leg, following the same route, at around 4.00pm.

GLENGORMLEY

The East Antrim Combine’s annual Twelfth Parade will this year be hosted by Carnmoney District LOL No. 25 and held in Glengormley.

The main parade will start at 11:00am from Jubilee Way, making its way along Ballyclare Road to Lilian Bland Park where there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph. The procession will then make its way to Antrim Road, O’Neill Road, Church Road arriving at V36 Park around 1.30pm.

The return parade commences at 3:30pm from V36 Park, making its way along Church Road, Prince Charles Way, Church Way and Antrim Road, before finishing at Ballyclare Road.

Cloughfern District LOL No. 24 will leave the main parade at O’Neill Road roundabout and return to Cloughfern Protestant Hall.

A day full of colour and culture is expected with approx. 3,000 participants, 66 Lodges, and nearly 40 bands from Northern Ireland and Scotland as well as traditional Lambeg Drums.

Attendees will include members from nine Districts – Carnmoney District LOL No.25, Larne District LOL No.1, Sixmilewater District LOL No.10 , Antrim District LOL No.13, Staffordstown District LOL No.15, Killead District LOL No.17, Carrickfergus District LOL No.19, Randalstown District LOL No.22 and Cloughfern District LOL No.24.

Leading the Parade will be Carntall (Mossley) LOL 134, one of the oldest-warranted Lodges in Antrim, they will be accompanied by the excellent Black Skull Flute Band from Glasgow, continuing a proud 35-year partnership.

The platform proceedings will commence at 2:00pm with a religious service led by Wor. Bro. Rev. David Bissett, County Antrim Deputy Grand Chaplain with musical accompaniment from Bro. James Strange. Traditional resolutions will be read and passed.

CULLYBCAKEY

For the first time in living memory two districts will co-host what is known as the ‘Triangle’ Twelfth in the heart of Co. Antrim. This year, Portglenone District LOL No. 7 and Ahoghill District LOL No. 12 will jointly organise the Twelfth celebrations in the renowned village of Cullybackey.

The two District Masters, Wor. Bro. Robert Hanna of Portglenone and Wor. Bro. Ian Small of Ahoghill look forward to welcoming the Brethren of the ‘Triangle’ to Cullybackey.

The parade will commence from Ard Na Maine at 12.30pm and proceed the full length of the village’s main street, taking the direct route to the Cullybackey Community Playing fields.

The parade will be led by Brethren from Cullybackey District, followed by the lodges of Portglenone and Ahoghill and will include award winning bands such as Cullybackey Pipe Band, Killycoogan, Milltown and Killyless Accordion Bands together with McNeillstown Pipe Band, former world champions.

Platform proceedings will commence at 2:15pm led by Wor. Bro. Robert Edwards.

A large turnout of lambeg drums is also anticipated and they will join forces in a Massed Lambeg Drumming display in the demonstration field before the return parade leaves the field at 3:45pm and makes its way to the Fenaghy Road.

LISBURN

This year, the City of Lisburn plays host to the 335th Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne on Saturday, 12th July 2025, organised on behalf of the South Antrim Combine by Lisburn District LOL No. 6.

The celebration promises to be a major cultural and historical event, with over 2,000 members of the Orange Institution—including Orangemen, women, and Juniors— with 65 lodges joining forces with up to 25 marching bands to commemorate one of the most significant events in British and Irish history. Districts taking part include Royal Hillsborough District LOL No.19, Aghalee District LOL No.2, Glenavy District LOL No.4, Magheragall District LOL No.9, Ballinderry District LOL No.3, and Derriaghy District LOL No.11.

The day will be filled with music, pageantry, and celebration as they gather to mark their shared heritage and values. The main parade will begin at 11:30am from the assembly field at Wallace Park and proceed to QEII / Ballymacoss Playing Fields (The Brambles).

The parade route is as follows, Wallace Park (Magheralave Road), Railway Street, Market Square (through the ceremonial arch), Market Street, Smithfield Street, Hillsborough Road, Governors Road, Longstone Street (Chapel Hill Roundabout), Thiepval Road, Prince William Road, Knockmore Road finishing at QEII / Ballymacoss Playing Fields, where the procession is expected to arrive at around 1:00pm.

Formal proceedings will commence at approximately 1:45pm and will include a short religious service by Wor. Bro. Rev. Stephen Kilpatrick, reflecting the Orange Institution’s commitment to Christian principles and faith.

Lisburn District is proud to welcome two distinguished speakers to this year’s platform Deputy First Minister and local MLA, Emma Little-Pengelly and Wor. Bro. Keith Harbinson (PAGM), Chairman of the Institution’s Recruitment & Retention Committee.

The return parade is scheduled to begin at 3:30pm, following the route of Knockmore Road, Ballinderry Road, Longstone, Chapel Hill and North Circular Road.

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