Belfast: St Patrick's Day celebrations at Belfast City Hall on Friday will be organised by the city council for the first time.
The council is supporting a series of events estimated to cost £100,000 (€145,000).
Alcohol and flags have been banned in an effort to promote the inclusion of all sections of society and to mark a departure from previous rallies at City Hall, which have been criticised by some as overly nationalistic.
"We are saying there should be no emblems or symbols that would be deemed as sectarian, racist, or anything that would be offensive to anyone," deputy Lord Mayor Pat Convery has said. "We are depending on the citizens of this city to have good faith and to help us generate a situation whereby there will be a good event and all will feel welcome."
The council has planned a parade from the City Hall involving hundreds of community groups.
A free outdoor concert is also being held at the newly pedestrianised Custom House Square near the docks area.
The line-up includes rock groups as well as traditional Irish and Ulster-Scots performers. Other artists will perform music from overseas communities living in the city.
Queen's University and the University of Ulster will combine to offer a three-day St Patrick's festival in south Belfast.
The joint venture follows complaints from residents in the Queen's area about anti-social behaviour last year.