Cities, towns and villages around Northern Ireland are preparing to turn green to toast St Patrick on Friday with a host of parades, events and gatherings planned.
Thousands of visitors are expected to visit Belfast this week to take part in a number of scheduled events.
Celebrations will kick off on Thursday evening with a concert at Custom House Square where Dublin singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan will headline the family-friendly gig.
There will also be free face painting, circus performers, balloon artists and buskers to entertain children.
On Friday, from noon until 2pm, artist Trisha McNally will host a St Patrick-themed art workshop at 2 Royal Avenue in the city centre.
The free workshop is suitable for children aged between four and 10 years-old.
From 1.30pm, a colourful pageant of costume, music, dance and theatrical performance will make its way through the streets of the city centre.
The parade's theme - `Voices of Belfast' - will celebrate Belfast’s music heritage from pop to punk and traditional to disco.
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The parade will leave city hall and make its way along Chichester Street, Victoria Street, High Street, Castle Place and Donegall Place, before returning to city hall.
There will also be live traditional music from members of Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann at St George's Market on Friday.
Elsewhere, in Downpatrick, St Patrick's final resting place, family-friendly activities are planned for throughout the day.
Down Arts Centre will be hosting local artists with craft demonstrations between 11am and 1.30pm and 2.30pm and 4pm.
Visitors will be able to admire copper etching, felt and St Brigid crosses as they are made.
Children will also be able to make a memento of their day.
At Down County Museum in the town, a programme of music, dancing, crafts and history is planned.
There will also be music and dance from local performers while children will be able to get crafting and take part in a special Leprechaun’s treasure trail.
There will also be street entertainers performing at both sites.
In Downpatrick itself, there will be face painting, walkabout characters, arts and crafts, balloon modelling and live performances on offer.
A parade, led by St Patrick and made up of swirling dancers, community floats and costumed characters, will leave the Downshire Estate on Ardglass Road at 1.30pm and make its way to Rathkeltair Car Park at Lower Market Street.
There will also be a parade in Newry on St Patrick's Day as well as a host of other activities.
The parade will depart The Quays Shopping Centre at 1pm while the main stage will be based at Marcus Square.
There will also be children’s arts and crafts workshops, guided exhibition tours, traditional music and dance performances.
There will also be a family village at McClelland Park.
In Enniskillen, a St Patrick’s Day Parade will snake around the town from 1.30pm. There will also be live music at the Diamond from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.
In Derry, a `Recycle & Renewal' St Patrick's Day parade will leave Bishop Street at 3pm on Friday.
Communities will come together in a parade which will use the elements of nature- fire, air, earth and water - to highlight the significance of recycling and reusing, reducing waste and the positive impact this can have on the environment for future generations.
In Armagh - the home of St Patrick - a parade will leave the CBS and make its way through the city finishing at Cathedral Road Recreation Centre.
In addition, on Saturday and Sunday, walking tours will help visitors delve into the history of St Patrick and his connection with both Cathedrals.
Meanwhile, in Dublin, large crowds are expected to gather for the St Patrick’s Festival.
The annual parade will leave from the northern edge of Parnell Square at 12noon and make its way along O'Connell Street, past Trinity College and on to Dame Street, before finishing at St Patrick's Cathedral.
Patrick Duffy, star of 80s TV drama Dallas, who is Irish-American, will be this year's guest of honour at the parade.