diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index f4bb2225629..9f88dcf3155 100755
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,4 +1,32 @@
 # Changelog
+## [17.6.0](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/tree/17.6.0) (2024-02-07)
+
+[Full Changelog](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/compare/17.5.0...17.6.0)
+
+**Implemented New Features and Enhancements:**
+- Dropdown | make clear method public for better DX [\#14641](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14641)
+
+**Fixed bugs:**
+- MultiSelect: selectedItemsLabel is not localized (re-opened) [\#14554](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14554)
+- Component: Calendar isn't show initial value from FormControl/ngModel [\#14616](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14616)
+- Component: Dropdown removing a letter from filter that comes after a whitespace ' ' removes the whitespace [\#14701](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14701)
+- Component: p-multiselect - double click on multiselect "button" causes modal window to jump around before disappearing [\#14442](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14442)
+- Virtual Scroll Jumping Backwards [\#14298](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14298)
+- p-dropdown: dropdown options float to the top when searching [\#14659](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14659)
+- Dropdown: Key events not correctly working when filter is enabled [\#14189](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14189)
+- Component: Dropdown| closing overlay on pressing enter key on filter input [\#14708](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14708)
+- Component: p-Dropdown placeholder/values not displayed [\#14695](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14695)
+- TreeSelect: When using reactive form disabled input doesn't affect [\#14662](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14662)
+- MultiSelect: dynamic text in placeholder is not displayed [\#14321](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14321)
+- Dropdown: dynamic text in placeholder is not displayed [\#14320](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14320)
+- Component: Dropdown TypeError: option.toLowerCase is not a function [\#14682](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14682)
+- Dropdown: "0" Value in optionValue, causes Label to be replaced by Placeholder [\#14715](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14715)
+- The scrollToIndex method on VirtualScroller does not scroll to the correct index when triggered twice. [\#14731](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14731)
+- Checkbox: Disabled property does not work when it's used with formControlName [\#14693](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14693)
+- PrimeNg p-columnFilter does not close on outside element click or scroll or search submit [\#14658](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14658)
+- Showcase | Remove stateful config [\#14752](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14752)
+
+
 ## [17.5.0](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/tree/17.5.0) (2024-02-01)
 
 [Full Changelog](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/compare/17.4.0...17.5.0)
@@ -242,6 +270,12 @@
 - TypeError: this.focusedItemInfo.mutate is not a function [\#14119](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14119)
 - Upgrade to Angular 17? [\#14063](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14063)
 
+## ![LTS](https://www.primefaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/lts-icon-24.png "PrimeNG LTS") [16.9.5-LTS](https://www.npmjs.com/package/primeng/v/16.9.5-lts) (2024-02-07)
+
+**Fixed bugs:**
+- The scrollToIndex method on VirtualScroller does not scroll to the correct index when triggered twice. [\#14731](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14731)
+- Checkbox: Disabled property does not work when it's used with formControlName [\#14693](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14693)
+
 ## ![LTS](https://www.primefaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/lts-icon-24.png "PrimeNG LTS") [16.9.4-LTS](https://www.npmjs.com/package/primeng/v/16.9.4-lts) (2024-01-19)
 
 **Fixed bugs:**
@@ -789,6 +823,12 @@
 - Checkbox in p-treeNode always checked when using custom icon [\#12951](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/12951)
 - ConfirmDialog: Duplicated AcceptIcons [\#13001](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/13001)
 
+## ![LTS](https://www.primefaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/lts-icon-24.png "PrimeNG LTS") [15.4.16-LTS](https://www.npmjs.com/package/primeng/v/15.4.16-lts) (2024-02-07)
+
+**Fixed bugs:**
+- The scrollToIndex method on VirtualScroller does not scroll to the correct index when triggered twice. [\#14731](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14731)
+- Checkbox: Disabled property does not work when it's used with formControlName [\#14693](https://github.com/primefaces/primeng/issues/14693)
+
 ## ![LTS](https://www.primefaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/lts-icon-24.png "PrimeNG LTS") [15.4.15-LTS](https://www.npmjs.com/package/primeng/v/15.4.15-lts) (2024-01-19)
 
 **Fixed bugs:**
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 86941ae4ea6..ed24dbe2932 100755
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
     "name": "primeng",
-    "version": "17.5.0",
+    "version": "17.6.0",
     "license": "SEE LICENSE IN LICENSE.md",
     "scripts": {
         "ng": "ng",
diff --git a/src/app/components/api/translationkeys.ts b/src/app/components/api/translationkeys.ts
index ca48602cfa6..1c1f803cc23 100644
--- a/src/app/components/api/translationkeys.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/api/translationkeys.ts
@@ -43,5 +43,5 @@ export class TranslationKeys {
     public static readonly EMPTY_FILTER_MESSAGE = 'emptyFilterMessage';
     public static readonly SHOW_FILTER_MENU = 'showFilterMenu';
     public static readonly HIDE_FILTER_MENU = 'hideFilterMenu';
-    public static readonly SELECTION_MESSAGE = '{0} items selected';
+    public static readonly SELECTION_MESSAGE = 'selectionMessage';
 }
diff --git a/src/app/components/calendar/calendar.ts b/src/app/components/calendar/calendar.ts
index 311bf6f2ecb..ce28618cce4 100755
--- a/src/app/components/calendar/calendar.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/calendar/calendar.ts
@@ -3016,9 +3016,7 @@ export class Calendar implements OnInit, OnDestroy, ControlValueAccessor {
                 }
             }
         }
-        if (this.dataType === 'string') {
-            this.updateModel(value);
-        }
+
         this.updateInputfield();
         this.updateUI();
         this.cd.markForCheck();
diff --git a/src/app/components/dropdown/dropdown.ts b/src/app/components/dropdown/dropdown.ts
index 029b537cb6e..54c58442874 100755
--- a/src/app/components/dropdown/dropdown.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/dropdown/dropdown.ts
@@ -886,7 +886,7 @@ export class Dropdown implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterContentInit, AfterV
         return {
             'p-dropdown-label p-inputtext': true,
             'p-placeholder': this.placeholder() && label === this.placeholder(),
-            'p-dropdown-label-empty': !this.editable && !this.selectedItemTemplate && (!label || label === 'p-emptylabel' || label.length === 0)
+            'p-dropdown-label-empty': !this.editable && !this.selectedItemTemplate && (label === undefined || label === null || label === 'p-emptylabel' || label.length === 0)
         };
     }
 
@@ -912,11 +912,11 @@ export class Dropdown implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterContentInit, AfterV
                 !_filterBy && !this.filterFields && !this.optionValue
                     ? this.options.filter((option) => {
                           if (option.label) {
-                              return option.label.toLowerCase().indexOf(this._filterValue().toLowerCase()) !== -1;
+                              return option.label.toLowerCase().indexOf(this._filterValue().toLowerCase().trim()) !== -1;
                           }
-                          return option.toLowerCase().indexOf(this._filterValue().toLowerCase()) !== -1;
+                          return option.toLowerCase().indexOf(this._filterValue().toLowerCase().trim()) !== -1;
                       })
-                    : this.filterService.filter(options, this.searchFields(), this._filterValue(), this.filterMatchMode, this.filterLocale);
+                    : this.filterService.filter(options, this.searchFields(), this._filterValue().trim(), this.filterMatchMode, this.filterLocale);
 
             if (this.group) {
                 const optionGroups = this.options || [];
@@ -939,6 +939,7 @@ export class Dropdown implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterContentInit, AfterV
 
     label = computed(() => {
         const selectedOptionIndex = this.findSelectedOptionIndex();
+
         return selectedOptionIndex !== -1 ? this.getOptionLabel(this.visibleOptions()[selectedOptionIndex]) : this.placeholder() || 'p-emptylabel';
     });
 
@@ -1773,13 +1774,13 @@ export class Dropdown implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterContentInit, AfterV
     }
 
     onFilterInputChange(event: Event | any): void {
-        let value: string = (event.target as HTMLInputElement).value?.trim();
+        let value: string = (event.target as HTMLInputElement).value;
         this._filterValue.set(value);
         this.focusedOptionIndex.set(-1);
         this.onFilter.emit({ originalEvent: event, filter: this._filterValue() });
         !this.virtualScrollerDisabled && this.scroller.scrollToIndex(0);
         setTimeout(() => {
-            this.overlayViewChild.alignOverlay()
+            this.overlayViewChild.alignOverlay();
         });
         this.cd.markForCheck();
     }
diff --git a/src/app/components/inputtextarea/inputtextarea.ts b/src/app/components/inputtextarea/inputtextarea.ts
index 2ba3ee128e5..87cf924c2f0 100755
--- a/src/app/components/inputtextarea/inputtextarea.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/inputtextarea/inputtextarea.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import { Subscription } from 'rxjs';
         '[class.p-inputtextarea-resizable]': 'autoResize'
     }
 })
-export class InputTextarea implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterViewChecked, OnDestroy {
+export class InputTextarea implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, OnDestroy {
     /**
      * When present, textarea size changes as being typed.
      * @group Props
@@ -51,10 +51,6 @@ export class InputTextarea implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterViewChecked, O
         }
     }
 
-    ngAfterViewChecked() {
-        this.updateState();
-    }
-
     ngAfterViewInit() {
         if (this.autoResize) this.resize();
 
diff --git a/src/app/components/multiselect/multiselect.ts b/src/app/components/multiselect/multiselect.ts
index 51fc8931029..e51a28054d1 100755
--- a/src/app/components/multiselect/multiselect.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/multiselect/multiselect.ts
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ export class MultiSelectItem {
                                     </span>
                                 </ng-container>
                             </div>
-                            <ng-container *ngIf="!modelValue() || modelValue().length === 0">{{ placeholder || defaultLabel || 'empty' }}</ng-container>
+                            <ng-container *ngIf="!modelValue() || modelValue().length === 0">{{ placeholder() || defaultLabel || 'empty' }}</ng-container>
                         </ng-container>
                     </ng-container>
                     <ng-container *ngTemplateOutlet="selectedItemsTemplate; context: { $implicit: selectedOptions, removeChip: removeOption.bind(this) }"></ng-container>
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ export class MultiSelect implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterContentInit, Aft
      * Label to display after exceeding max selected labels e.g. ({0} items selected), defaults "ellipsis" keyword to indicate a text-overflow.
      * @group Props
      */
-    @Input() selectedItemsLabel: string = '{0} items selected';
+    @Input() selectedItemsLabel: string | undefined;
     /**
      * Whether to show the checkbox at header to toggle all items at once.
      * @group Props
@@ -976,6 +976,8 @@ export class MultiSelect implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterContentInit, Aft
 
     selectedOptions: any;
 
+    clickInProgress: boolean = false;
+
     get containerClass() {
         return {
             'p-multiselect p-component p-inputwrapper': true,
@@ -1692,7 +1694,7 @@ export class MultiSelect implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterContentInit, Aft
     }
 
     onContainerClick(event: any) {
-        if (this.disabled || this.readonly || (<Node>event.target).isSameNode(this.focusInputViewChild?.nativeElement)) {
+        if (this.disabled || this.readonly || (event.target as Node).isSameNode(this.focusInputViewChild?.nativeElement)) {
             return;
         }
 
@@ -1700,6 +1702,16 @@ export class MultiSelect implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterContentInit, Aft
             event.preventDefault();
             return;
         } else if (!this.overlayViewChild || !this.overlayViewChild.el.nativeElement.contains(event.target)) {
+            if (this.clickInProgress) {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            this.clickInProgress = true;
+
+            setTimeout(() => {
+                this.clickInProgress = false;
+            }, 150);
+
             this.overlayVisible ? this.hide(true) : this.show(true);
         }
         this.focusInputViewChild?.nativeElement.focus({ preventScroll: true });
@@ -1735,7 +1747,7 @@ export class MultiSelect implements OnInit, AfterViewInit, AfterContentInit, Aft
     }
 
     onFilterInputChange(event: KeyboardEvent) {
-        let value: string = (event.target as HTMLInputElement).value?.trim();
+        let value: string = (event.target as HTMLInputElement).value;
         this._filterValue.set(value);
         this.focusedOptionIndex.set(-1);
         this.onFilter.emit({ originalEvent: event, filter: this._filterValue() });
diff --git a/src/app/components/package.json b/src/app/components/package.json
index cee5282f334..9468b002cce 100644
--- a/src/app/components/package.json
+++ b/src/app/components/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
     "name": "primeng",
-    "version": "17.5.0",
+    "version": "17.6.0",
     "repository": {
         "type": "git",
         "url": "https://github.com/primefaces/primeng"
diff --git a/src/app/showcase/data/versions.json b/src/app/showcase/data/versions.json
index c7ff02b2b20..da9c2ad68bb 100644
--- a/src/app/showcase/data/versions.json
+++ b/src/app/showcase/data/versions.json
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 [
     {
-        "version": "v17.5.0",
+        "version": "v17.6.0",
         "name": "v17",
         "url": "https://primeng.org"
     },
     {
-        "version": "v16.9.3-lts",
+        "version": "v16.9.5-lts",
         "name": "v16",
         "url": "https://www.primefaces.org/primeng-v16-lts/"
     },
     {
-        "version": "v15.4.14-lts",
+        "version": "v15.4.16-lts",
         "name": "v15",
         "url": "https://www.primefaces.org/primeng-v15-lts/#/"
     },
diff --git a/src/app/showcase/layout/doc/app.docsection-nav.component.ts b/src/app/showcase/layout/doc/app.docsection-nav.component.ts
index 31e17a8e223..3c9bf1b2d90 100644
--- a/src/app/showcase/layout/doc/app.docsection-nav.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/showcase/layout/doc/app.docsection-nav.component.ts
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ export class AppDocSectionNavComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
         return [...Array.from(this.document.querySelectorAll(':is(h1,h2,h3).doc-section-label'))].filter((el: any) => DomHandler.isVisible(el));
     }
 
-     onScroll() {
+    onScroll() {
         if (isPlatformBrowser(this.platformId) && this.nav) {
             if (!this.isScrollBlocked) {
                 this.zone.run(() => {
diff --git a/src/app/showcase/layout/doc/codeeditor/templates.ts b/src/app/showcase/layout/doc/codeeditor/templates.ts
index ef1df9cfeb4..748ba555e21 100644
--- a/src/app/showcase/layout/doc/codeeditor/templates.ts
+++ b/src/app/showcase/layout/doc/codeeditor/templates.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ export interface Props {
 const app_dependencies = pkg ? pkg.devDependencies : {};
 
 const PrimeNG = {
-    version: '17.5.0',
+    version: '17.6.0',
     description:
         'PrimeNG is an open source UI library for Angular featuring a rich set of 80+ components, a theme designer, various theme alternatives such as Material, Bootstrap, Tailwind, premium templates and professional support. In addition, it integrates with PrimeBlock, which has 370+ ready to use UI blocks to build spectacular applications in no time.'
 };