PRESS RELEASE IMAGE 1/8/15: Justice Minister David Ford showing his support for the LGBT community at Belfast's Pride Festival with Roisin Lavery, Equality Commission and Sean O'Neill, Festival organiser. Picture: Michael Cooper

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Belfast Lord Mayor Arder Carson joins thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Teenagers look on as thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Christian protesters outside the City Hall as thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Members of Sinn Fein join thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Basil McCrea, centre, joins thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland?s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Saturday 1st August 2015 - Pride Party in the Square Pictured is the pride party in the square at the Custom house square in Belfast Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye

Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Saturday 1st August 2015 - Pride Party in the Square Pictured is the pride party in the square at the Custom house square in Belfast Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye

Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Belfast - Northern Ireland - Saturday 1st August 2015 - Pride Party in the Square Pictured is the pride party in the square at the Custom house square in Belfast Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A drag queen takes a selfie with a friend as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Religious protestors demonstrate against homosexuality as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Religious protestors demonstrate against homosexuality as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A man draped in a rainbow flag watches as religious protestors demonstrate against homosexuality while thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Drag artiste Glitzy Glamour performs on stage in Union Street as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A street party on Union Street takes place as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A man displays his rainbow coloured tights as thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: A religious protestor hands out pamphlets to participants taking part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 1: Thousands of participants and supporters take part in the 25th annual Belfast Pride parade on August 1, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage whilst legal in the United Kingdom is still not recognised in Northern Ireland despite repeated votes on the issue. The governing Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 1st August 2015 - Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland??s LGBT community. Organisers claim there was a larger than normal turnout in the wake of the recent same-sex marriage referendum in the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Belfast will be awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns.

Belfast Pride ranks in the top ten largest Pride parades in the UK and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015.

It is a 10 day festival over 100 events that showcase the creativity, arts, history, culture, opinions and everyday lives of the LGBT community in Belfast.

When is Belfast Pride week?

The 10-day festival takes place from July 29 to Sunday August 7.

Belfast Pride is Ireland's biggest LGBT festival with thousands flocking to the city to take part.

This year's theme is We Are One.

When is the parade?

The biggest single parade in Belfast takes place on Saturday August 6 from 1pm.

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Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2016 Belfast Pride Festival 2016 Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2016 Belfast Pride Festival 2016 Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2016 Belfast Pride Festival 2016 Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2016 Belfast Pride Festival 2016 Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2016 Belfast Pride Festival 2016 Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2016 Belfast Pride Festival 2016 Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye 2016- Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press Belfast 06-08-2016: Belfast Pride Festival 2016. Belfast awash with rainbow colours as the annual LGBT festival returns. Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2016 Belfast Pride Festival 2016 Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2016 Belfast Pride Festival 2016 Thousands of people take part in the annual Belfast Gay Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Belfast Pride 2016: Thousands of people take part in the annual Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Belfast Pride 2016: Thousands of people take part in the annual Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Belfast Pride 2016: Thousands of people take part in the annual Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Belfast Pride 2016: Thousands of people take part in the annual Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Belfast Pride 2016: Thousands of people take part in the annual Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Belfast Pride 2016: Thousands of people take part in the annual Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Belfast Pride 2016: Thousands of people take part in the annual Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Belfast Pride 2016: Thousands of people take part in the annual Pride event in Belfast city centre celebrating Northern Ireland's LGBT community. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye / Facebook

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Traffic and Travel

The parade will leave Queen’s Square at 1pm, travel along High Street, Bridge Street, Waring Street, Donegall Street, Royal Avenue, Donegall Place, Donegall Square North, Donegall Square East, Donegall Square South, Howard Street, Upper Queen Street, Queen Street, Castle Street, Castle Place, move along High Street again before returning to Queen’s Square for dispersal at approximately 2pm.

There will be a pre-parade build up party from 11.30am at Custom House Square and the Albert Clock before and after the parade as well as Pride Village in the Donegall Quay area, adjacent to Custom House Square.

Police will seek to keep traffic moving through the city centre throughout the day where possible however motorists are advised that delays should be expected.

How to take part:

To register a float or a walking group register here

Belfast City Council has rules that mean that participants on the Belfast Pride Parade cannot distribute flyers, business cards, balloons, flags, badges or any other promotional items, so remember not to include this in your plans.

What other events are there?

Throughout the 10 days there are a series of events taking place across the city. The official launch and 2016 Belfast Pride Awards take place at Belfast City Hall on July 29.

The Belfast Pride Awards are the leading LGBTQ awards ceremony in Belfast. The Awards recognise contributions to the LGBTQ community from across a range of sectors from business, entertainment and community support groups.

The Big Pride Picnic family day takes place on Saturday July 30 in the grounds of City Hall Belfast. It is on from 12pm - 5pm. There will be giant inflatables on the lawn, Here NI’s Family Fun Day with Arts & Crafts, Storytelling and Music, plus having a screening of Disney / Pixar’s animated film UP.

For the full list of events click here

Can I volunteer?

Volunteer recruitment is now closed. But the team will be recruiting throughout the year for Committee members and for the 2017 festival.

Pride in numbers

50,000 people attend events across Belfast Pride

Belfast Telegraph