In pictures: The Twelfth of July celebrations

Three women smiling at the camera. They are wearing Union flag glasses and summer clothes.Pacemaker

Participants and spectators enjoyed one of the hottest Twelfths in recent years

Crowds have lined the streets of cities, towns and villages all over Northern Ireland on Saturday to attend Twelfth of July parades.

Thousands of Orange Order members take part in the annual marches to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

The event is also a celebration of Protestant traditions and Ulster-Scots heritage, and comes after bonfires were lit across Northern Ireland on the Eleventh night.

Here's a look at some of the best pictures from the celebrations.

A black silhouette of two men grasping hands. One is wearing a cowboy style hat, left, and the other is wearing a cap and smoking a cigarette. The blaze of a bonfire can be seen in the background.PA Media

People watching a bonfire at Sandy Row in Belfast

Two ladies are at the side of the road. One is sitting and wearing a Union flag bucket hat and a floral shirt. The other is standing over her holding a Union flag umbrella. She is wearing the same hat and a blue top and trousers.

Sheila Patterson and Elizabeth McClelland attended the Twelfth celebrations in Keady, County Armagh

Two men holding and playing lambeg drums while walking in the parade.Pacemaker

Lambeg drums are a regular feature of Twelfth parades

A group of people wearing orange sashes leading the parade, holding a large flag.Pacemaker

Ballymena was one of the 18 locations for this year's parades

A little boy wearing a blue and white striped sun hat, eating an ice cream. He is sitting on a multicoloured towel.

An ice cream is well needed in the heatwave in Kesh

A group of drummers wearing red polo shirts and dark blue trousers with dark red detailing down the outside of the legs. They are playing silver drums using white drumsticks.

Hundreds of people watched the parade in Kesh

Men walking in the parade wearing orange sashes and white shirts.PA Media

There were some short sleeves on display in the heat in Lisburn

Two little boys in flute band uniforms wearing beige hats.PA Media

The parade continues in Belfast

A man wears heart-shaped "Ulster Girl" glasses. He has a long moustache.Reuters

Sunglasses are a must in the heat

Five ladies in matching blue and white dresses wearing orange sashes. PA Media

Out in their best dress

A group of ladies all wearing orange and orange sashes. Pacemaker

Members of a women's lodge celebrating in Belfast

Little girls wear shirts stating "Little Protestant Princess", as people wait in the hot weatherPacemaker

Ellie, 1, and Ida, 3, wait in the hot weather

A lady sitting on a camping style chair wearing a dress that is Union flag print. Her watch is also Union flag print and her sunglasses.PA Media

Yvonne McDonnell from Ballinderry attending the Twelfth of July celebrations in Lisburn

A child wearing heart shaped sunglasses that have 12th July in white writing on them. The child is giving two thumbs up. Pacemaker

People of all ages have joined the celebrations in Belfast

A man is sitting in the boot of a blue car next to a case of bottled water. He is wearing a dark blue cap and a red sash.Pacemaker

With the mercury set to reach 30C in places, it's important for everyone to stay hydrated

A group of women waving Union flags. They are dressed in red white and blue. Pacemaker

There were plenty of Union flags along the parade route in Belfast

A man applying sun cream to a child. They are wearing flute band uniforms, which are red and blue.Pacemaker

It is important to remember sun cream - the UV index is high at 8

A man wearing a Union flag bucket hat holding the front of a drum. He is wearing a white shirt with a crown emblem on the left breast and a blue tie with red and white stripes.Pacemaker

Drummers struggling in the heat in Glengormley

A drummer holding a large drum on his front. He is wearing a white shirt and the drum is white with grey detailing on it of Edward Carson, James Craig and the Thipeval Tower. Pacemaker

Flute bands lead the parade in Glengormley

Members of the orange Order parades wait on Clifton Street dressed in red tops, blue trousers and surrounded by drums.PA Media

Members of a marching band wait on the street in north Belfast for the main parade to start

A woman is folding a union jack flag in a hall, a little girl being held up by an adult is attempting to crawl across the table to the flag. The girl is wearing a red top and trainers with blue socks.PA Media

People at Clifton Street Orange Hall getting ready for the Twelfth of July parade

Two band members are crossing a zebra crossing. They are wearing red and blue uniforms with white hats. PA Media

Marching a-cross: Members of a band before the parade in Belfast

A flute band holding flags at the front. They are wearing a navy and white uniform with white hats.

A flute band walking along the route in Coleraine

A group of people sitting, lining a parade route. They are covering themselves with umbrellas to protect from the sun.

The parade in Keady, County Armagh, arrives in the demonstration field, while people protect themselves from the sun

A woman holds a Union Jack umbrella to shield herself from the sun, while people sit on the side of the road as they wait for the Twelfth of July parade to begin, in Belfast.Reuters

There are plenty of umbrellas to be seen in Belfast - and on this, the warmest Twelfth in years, they're shading people from the sun

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