Portadown Orange District’s parade and rally is expected to attract up to 10k to the town centre.

Although the rally was widely advertised on social media, the District did not submit a request to the NI Parades Commission until Monday evening, and approval was given.

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Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th September 2026

Belfast Court of Appeal overturns an earlier ruling of not allowing the Portadown Orange Order parade down through the Garvaghy Road.

Portadown Orange men form up at Drumcree Church before standing down after being told by the police the Garavaghy Road is not clear.

Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye — Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th September 2026 Belfast Court of Appeal overturns an earlier ruling of not allowing the Portadown Orange Order parade down through the Garvaghy Road. Portadown Orange men form up at Drumcree Church before standing down after being told by the police the Garavaghy Road is not clear. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

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According to the Parades Commission website the parade is due to start at Watson Street, Portadown at 7pm.

It follows through to Bridge Street, High Street, Market Street, Church Street, Mandeville Street, West Street before stopping on Town Plaza for a rally.

After the rally the parade will travel back the same route towards Watson St with an expected finish of 10pm.

The District is expecting 5000 participants and 10,000 supporters to attend the Portadown parade and rally.

The Garvaghy Road is not on the proposed route.

Tensions have been high since the District was barred from marching on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown despite a positive Parades Commission ruling.

There was around 10 days of a standoff when protesters took to the Garvaghy Road in support of the residents aiming to block the march.

A number of court battles ensued before the Parades Commission decision was overturned by the Secretary of State for NI Sir Chris Bryant.

The Portadown District are now seeking a Judicial Review of the Secretary of State’s decision.

A spokesperson for the District said: “Portadown District LOL 1 will be holding a Parade and Rally in Portadown this Saturday night, and we encourage the entire Orange family to come out in their colours, alongside the wider unionist community, to demonstrate the strength of feeling within our community.

"For us, this is about more than a parade. It is about the rule of law, the right to peaceful assembly, and the principle that lawful decisions must be upheld.

"Our community has every reason to be angry and deeply disappointed at the decision to overturn our lawful parade determination following the threat of Republican violence. We believe the actions of the Chief Constable and Secretary of State have undermined confidence in the rule of law and sent a deeply troubling message about whether lawful decisions will be respected when faced with threats and intimidation.

"Let us not forget that, after 28 years of being denied the right to complete our traditional parade along the Garvaghy Road, a determination was finally made in our favour, with the matter also considered by the Court of Appeal and the High Court. Yet that opportunity was subsequently lost.

"This Saturday night, we ask you to stand with Portadown District and make your voice heard peacefully and with dignity,” said a spokesperson for Portadown Orange District.

The District said the rally at the town plaza will be ‘short’ before the return parade.

A spokesperson said: “Bands wishing to take part in the parade are asked to contact the Portadown District LOL 1 Facebook page.

"We encourage the Orange family and the wider unionist community to turn out, show their support and demonstrate the strength of feeling across our community.”