The Twelfth: Orange Order and bands parade at 18 venues

Spectators on Railway Road in Coleraine watch the bands

The Orange Order and approximately 600 bands have taken part in parades at 18 locations on Wednesday to mark the Twelfth of July.

As well as Belfast and Ballymena, parades were held in towns including Ballinamallard, Magherafelt and Kilkeel.

Bangor, Northern Ireland's newest city, also hosted a demonstration.

The processions mark the victory of King William III over King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

A young band member catches his baton as an Orange band makes it's way along the parade route

Some banners referenced an Orange Order document which suggested plans to shorten the Belfast parade

William, a Protestant, had become King of England, Scotland and Ireland the previous year, after Catholic James II was deposed, and his victory secured his position.

Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson said the event was a "day to remember".

He said there had been "extraordinary" numbers of people celebrating.

"The weather conditions weren't entirely favourable for all throughout the day, but the rain could not dampen the spirits of those on parade," he said.

He said there had been visitors from Scotland, England, Wales, the US and Canada taking part in the parades.

Confetti cannons were fired in Belfast city centre as celebrations started early

The sun came out for spectators in Coleraine, County Londonderry

• In photos- Twelfth of July parades take place across NI - BBC News

Last week, an internal Orange Order document suggested the institution was considering plans to shorten the Belfast parade.

It followed what the Orange Order described as "abysmal" scenes at the 2022 march relating to anti-social behaviour and excessive drinking.

The weather failed to dampen the spirits of those taking part in the parades

Large crowds turned out in Ballinamallard in County Fermanagh to see the parade

The organisation's grand secretary, Rev Mervyn Gibson said he hoped it would be a "family friendly day where we go out and celebrate our culture".

"Today is about the glorious Twelfth of July and celebrating victory at the Battle of the Boyne," he told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme on Wednesday.

Before the parade Rev Gibson said he was not worried about the forecast: "I think if King William was scared of a bit of water, he'd never have crossed the Boyne so a bit of rain isn't going to dampen our spirits."

This year's parades are being held in:

• Ballinamallard

• Ballycastle

• Ballymena

• Bangor

• Belfast

• Broughshane

• Clogher

• Comber

• Coleraine

• Dromore

• Dungannon

• Kilkeel

• Loughbrickland

• Lurgan

• Magherafelt

• Portglenone

• Randalstown

• Upper Ballinderry

On Sunday, the annual Rossnowlagh parade in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland took place, as is tradition ahead of the Twelfth.

Up to 60 lodges from Donegal as well as counties Cavan, Leitrim and Monaghan were joined by lodges from across Northern Ireland.

Orangemen in Lurgan began the day by marching to the town's war memorial

On Tuesday night, the "Eleventh Night" was marked by bonfires in many Protestant areas across Northern Ireland.

The BBC will broadcast highlights from eight demonstrations in a special hour-long programme on BBC One at 21:00 BST and on BBC iPlayer.