All corners of Belfast came together to take part in Northern Ireland's biggest parade through the city centre.
The carnival parade, with the theme of spring, featured the biggest springtime bouquets ever seen in Belfast, surrounded by huge exotic butterflies.
The carnival procession, involved hundreds of participants, departed from City Hall at midday and made its way to Custom House Square.
The cross-community event, organised by Belfast City Council, was well attended and early estimates suggested thousands had come out to support it. West Belfast support for the parade was dented by the presence of St Gall's footballers who contested the All-Ireland club football final in Croke Park. Thousands of fans from the Falls Road made the trip south for the final.
The parade was led off by deputy Lord Mayor Danny Lavery and an Irish pipe band from British Colombia.
Floats included St Patrick in a boxing ring with a snake, and St Patrick was being cheered on by Sandy Row Falcons Cheerleaders.
A 10ft St Patrick was also seen waving from a large boat, and was followed by children dressed as butterflies and other woodland creatures.
Some of the most popular floats involved marvellous and their flying machines, which had two men suspended in the air and the Streetwise Community Circus who entertained the crowd on stilts.
Music was ever present varying from traditional fiddles to large groups playing an array of different-sized drums.
The last of the groups involved members of the Special Olympics club Salisbury and Wandsworth.
The parade included over 30 community groups from the North, South, East and West of Belfast in the St Patrick's Day Parade. These community groups featured children and adults from all sections of the community.
The groups have all taken part in workshops leading up to the event and added colour and enthusiasm to the parade through their outfits and music.
The procession finished without disruption apart from the usual crowds spilling over onto the streets.
Julie Ferguson, an onlooker said: "it's great to see so many children getting involved and wonderful to see it so well supported."
After the parade finished the crowd were treated to a concert featuring X-Factor star Ruth Lorenzo and MOBO award winning Chipmunk took place along with traditional Irish music acts including Ulster Scots and Irish dancers.