MINNEAPOLIS — Every season is Pride season as far as we're concerned, but it isn't until June that we really get to turn up the heat.
Beginning in 1972 with a small protest march on the third anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Twin Cities Pride Festival organizers have spent more than half a century preserving that legacy, waging a continued fight for the LGBTQIA+ community to freely and openly celebrate their authentic selves.
This year's festival at Minneapolis' Loring Park officially begins Friday, and features live entertainment, art, food, activities and more than 650 vendors and businesses offering resources and support to our LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC neighbors.
The fest ends Sunday after the annual Pride parade spanning the length of downtown Minneapolis.
But that's just the SparkNotes version — you certainly don't have to wait until the end of Pride month to get the party started.
WHEN:
Twin Cities Pride officially kicks off Friday, June 28, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with Twin Cities Pride Youth Night. The festival starts up again Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and then resumes Sunday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Twin Cities Pride Parade happens Sunday, June 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE:
Most of the weekend-long festival occurs in and around Minneapolis' Loring Park, just south of downtown.
Sunday's parade route starts at Hennepin Avenue and North Third Street, proceeding down Hennepin until Spruce Place, only a few blocks from Pride HQ in Loring Park.
WHO:
All are welcome at the main festival, free of charge.
EVENTS BY DAY:
Thursday, June 27
Meet at Mia: Pride, 5-7 p.m., Free, Minnesota Institute of Art (2400 Third Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55404)
Per Mia: Join us in Target Park for a sampling of Twin Cities talent. Local music expert Diane Miller spins tunes before and after the live performance. Enjoy food trucks, art making, and gallery tours. In the event of inclement weather, we’ll move the activities indoors.
Friday, June 28
- Pride Beer Dabbler, 5-9 p.m., $55, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at Walker Art Center (725 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis, MN 55403)
Per organizers: The Beer Dabbler is a celebration of our state’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community and offers beer enthusiasts a chance to take part in the festive and flamboyant environment of Twin Cities Pride all while sampling great beer, cider, and seltzer from over 70+ breweries and cideries in one of Minneapolis’ most scenic parks–complete with food trucks, dance parties, and more.
- Rainbow Rhythms: Pride Poolside Party, 6-10 p.m., Free, Aloft Minneapolis (900 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55415)
Per organizers: Bring all your friends to kickstart Pride weekend with a poolside pre-Pride party! Featuring live music and DJ, themed cocktails, Pride face painting, beer sampling by Pryes Brewing, and so much more.
- Pride Palooza, 7-10 p.m., Free, Eat Street Crossing (2819 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408)
Per Eat Street Crossing: Get ready to kick off Twin Cities Pride weekend in style at Pride Palooza at Eat Street Crossing in Minneapolis! Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with excitement, music, and dazzling performances.
- Pride Concert: Open Spaces, 7:30-9 p.m., Free/donations encouraged, St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral (519 Oak Grove St., Minneapolis, MN 55403)
Per the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra: MPO’s Pride concert Open Spaces evokes the unbound freedom of wide open spaces — from the homesteaders’ clearing of Aaron Copland’s ballet to the vast deserts of Alexander Borodin’s symphonic poem, from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s jubilant dance to the flight of monarchs in Andrew Yee’s Briefly Gorgeous, and from the heartfelt melodies of Diane Benjamin’s overture to the romping celebration of Beethoven’s symphonic finale.
Saturday, June 29
- Spotlight Science: SciPride, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., $15, University of Minnesota Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55113)
Per UMN: SciPride celebrates the scientific contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community at the University of Minnesota. Celebrate Pride by connecting with a diverse group of students, faculty and research staff. Learn about their science through hands-on activities and demonstrations around the museum.
- Pride Brews and Drag Brunch, 1-3 p.m., $20, Boom Island Brewing Company and Taproom (5959 Baker Rd. Minnetonka, MN 55345)
Per organizers: Get ready to brunch and be dazzled at Boom Island Brewing Co‘s “brew-unch” Drag Brunch event. Sip on your favorite Boom Island brews and seltzers, savor delicious bites from the Rosa Frida Food Truck, and prepare to be wowed by a fabulous Pride-themed drag show.
- DecaDance: Pride, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $10, James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW (2916 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408)
Per organizers: Dress up to get down – Spinnin’ records and hard drives back to a time of opulent bacchanalian delights, consummate DJs FNK and D Untethered present a night of classic disco and funk mixed seamlessly with modern grooves and bangers. Featuring GoGo dancers and unique performative visuals throughout the night.
Sunday, June 30
- Rainbow Run 5k, 9 a.m., $45, route starts at B.F. Nelson Park (434 NE Main St., Minneapolis)
Per TC Pride: Get ready to dash through the rainbow and join us for an electric run down Hennepin Avenue and feel the energy as parade spectators cheer you on or participate virtually from wherever you are. This year, the theme is "Show Your Colors 365," so gather your friends and family and dress as bright and colorful as possible to celebrate and represent you identity in this race for all paces. The best race outfits win prizes.
- 2024 Twin Cities Pride Parade, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Free, starts at Third Street & Hennepin Avenue and proceeds down Hennepin to Spruce Place near Loring Park (1382 Willow St., Minneapolis, MN 55403)
Per TC Pride: Celebrate love, equality, and diversity at the Twin Cities Pride Parade, an iconic event renowned as one of the largest Pride Parades in the United States. With a vibrant procession down Hennepin Avenue, this annual extravaganza draws over 200,000 cheering supporters to champion LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility. Join us as we march forward, spreading joy, acceptance, and empowerment for all.
For an exhaustive list of activities, entertainment, vendors and businesses, visit Twin Cities Pride's website.
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