Tens of thousands to parade across Northern Ireland today in celebration of centuries-long tradition

Tens of thousands of people are set to march in Northern Ireland today for the Orange Order's annual Twelfth parades.

The celebrations mark 336 years since the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange defeated Catholic King James II.

Events are set to take place in 18 main locations throughout the region - though because July 12 landed on a Sunday this year, the traditional parades have been moved to Monday.

Forecasters are predicting warm and sunny conditions for the day's festivities, while the Orange Order's Grand Master Harold Henning has praised today as a celebration of 230 years of parading.

"Our parades are a vibrant public expression of our identity, culture and heritage and that tradition is one which is held dear by a great many people in our community," he said.

Bonfires were lit at hundreds of sites in loyalist areas over the last three nights as part of the celebrations.

And today, members from over 1,000 lodges, accompanied by approximately 600 marching bands, will turn the streets of the province orange.

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY...

Where can we expect parades today?

Events are slated to take place at 18 main locations throughout Northern Ireland later today.

Parades are scheduled for Ballymena, Larne, Ballymoney, Portglenone, Glenarm, Newtownhamilton, Belfast, Rathfriland, Killyleagh, Royal Hillsborough, Ballymartin, Ballywalter, Maguiresbridge, Limavady, Kilrea, Cookstown, Castlederg and Aughnacloy.

The County Armagh parade is widely considered the biggest of the day, while Belfast's route stretches more than six miles, making it the longest march of the celebrations.

Though the Royal Black Preceptory's traditional Scarva event, which features a mock battle between actors portraying Kings William and James, has been rescheduled to tomorrow.

GB News back with 'very best coverage' - as Twelfth parades return TODAY

GB News will once again deliver the very best coverage of Northern Ireland's historic July 12 parades - with the People’s Channel returning to Royal Hillsborough for a full day of live programming on Monday, July 13.

This year's parades fall a day later than usual, because July 12 lands on a Sunday, and demonstrations will take place across 18 venues in Northern Ireland.

And GB News will centre stage with coverage running across Breakfast, Britain's Newsroom and Good Afternoon Britain.

Presenting duties will once again fall to Dame Arlene Foster, alongside Coronation Street actor and commentator Charlie Lawson and GB News’ correspondent Dougie Beattie, who has fronted the channel's Twelfth coverage over each of the last five years.

READ MORE ON THE PEOPLE'S CHANNEL'S LIVE COVERAGE HERE

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter