9 Ways to Maximize your Pride Experience in Minneapolis
Celebrate the greater LGBTQ community at one of the largest free Pride festivals in the country June 28-30, 2024. Featuring local BIPOC and LQBTQ+ vendors, food courts, a beer garden, music stages, and, starting in June, a schedule packed with events. Twin Cities Pride is something you don't want to miss.
While there are plenty of awesome events and activities to experience during Pride, we want to make sure you make the most of your time in Minneapolis. There’s so much to see and do, and a single day just won’t cut it. Why not extend the celebration and make a weekend out of it? To make your decision easy, we’ve compiled the top nine ways to maximize your Pride weekend in Minneapolis!
*Note: Downtown Minneapolis will be busy with other events this weekend such as the US Olympic Team Gymnastic Trials, theater shows and other live music concerts.
1. Dive into Loring Park's foodie scene
Calling all foodies! Loring Park is surrounded by numerous delicious restaurants that you can't skip. Gai Noi is right next to the park and serves shareable plates of Laotian cuisine, like papaya salad, panang spaghetti, basil wings and more. Sit down at Lotus Restaurant for Vietnamese classics and excellent pho. Craving breakfast at all hours of the day? Nicollet Diner is Minneapolis' only 24-hour restaurant and specializes in classic diner breakfast, as well as hamburgers and milkshakes. In the same building, catch dazzling drag shows while you dine at Roxy's Cabaret. For more breakfast and brunch, check out Eggy's Diner. It'll be hard to choose between skillets, omelets and waffles. Finally, grab a pint at Sisyphus Brewing, which also happens to host late-night comedy each day of the week. Friendly dogs are also welcomed inside the taproom.
2. Sample some of the best beer Minneapolis has to offer
Get the excitement going with the Pride Beer Dabbler on Friday, June 28 from 6 to 9:30pm. The Dabbler kicks off Twin Cities Pride weekend with a night of craft beer sampling from Minnesota breweries, live music, and fun activities. This is a celebration of our state’s vibrant LGBTQ+ craft beer community in one of Minneapolis’ most scenic parks—the beautiful Minneapolis Sculpture Garden! Be sure to get your tickets ahead of time.
3. Cheer on the Twin Cities Pride Parade in downtown Minneapolis
Join friendly faces downtown Minneapolis Sunday, June 30 from 11 am to 2 pm to witness a colorful parade of local Minnesota personalities and businesses supporting pride. The parade starts at 3rd and Hennepin and proceeds down Hennepin to Spruce.
4. Dash through the rainbow at the 2024 Twin Cities Pride Rainbow Run 5k
Sign up for the Rainbow Run 5k down Hennepin Avenue on Sunday, June 30 at 9am as parade spectators cheer you on! Kids can take part in the fun too — the Rainbow Dash, is just two blocks long. The theme this year is "Show Your Colors 365," so dress as bright and colorful as possible to celebrate and represent your identity. There's a contest for best race outfit with prizes.
5. Visit queer-owned businesses in Minneapolis
Twin Cities Pride only lasts a weekend, but there are so many LGBTQ+ businesses to support in Minneapolis throughout the year. Shop at queer-owned Tandem Vintage for colorful fashion from the 1950s to 90s. Dancing Bear Chocolate is a must-try for locally made truffles, tarts and cakes, and gelato. Watch women's sports at A Bar of Their Own. Go on a tour of Minneapolis' historic sites and landmarks with Minneapolis Trolley Tours. Catch a unique professional theater performance at Theater Latte Da in Northeast Minneapolis, then head to The Saloon downtown for nightlife, karaoke and dancing. Here are more queer-owned businesses in Minneapolis.
6. Try lawn bowling at Brit's Pub
Walk just a few blocks and find yourself…in the UK? Get a taste of life abroad at Brit’s Pub! Grab a beer, try lawn bowling on the rooftop, or watch a soccer or rugby game while chowing down on some pub food. This is one of the most unique bar and dining experiences in Minneapolis, so don’t miss it.
7. Experience one of Prince's favorite spots, the Dakota Jazz Club
Come for the food, stay for the music. Or…come for the music, stay for the food. Few places do both food and live music really well. The Dakota Jazz Club is the exception, and . It's no wonder that this was one of Prince's favorite spots in Minneapolis. With an outstanding menu and performances by world-renowned artists, it’s the perfect place for an evening out. Enjoy an amazing meal before or during the show, or simply sit back with a cocktail and be absorbed by the sounds.
8. Get inspired at Walker Art Center
The Walker Art Center is a must-see destination in Minneapolis, and with its location right next to Loring Park, it’s an easy choice! On view now is artwork by Keith Haring showcasing his artistic commentary on issues surrounding sexuality, religion and race. And you absolutely can't miss the Walker's Sculpture Garden. Visit the iconic Spoon Bridge and Cherry among more than 40 other works from the Walker’s collection. Afterwards, make a visit to Cardamom, the attached restaurant at the base of the museum. Enjoy top-notch cocktails and remarkable dishes all with a fabulous view through the glass-enclosed walls.
9. Check out all the other Pride related events happening around town
You'll love these drag shows, bar crawls, orchestra performances and more!
Now - July 14, 2024
Mill City Museum
Featuring LGBTQIA+ community spaces in Downtown Minneapolis, this photo exhibit details queer resistance, love, and identity formation amid the evolution of the neighborhood through the 20th century.
June 15, 2024
1pm - 7pm
Insight Brewing
We're partnering with Queerspace Collective and Ruff Start Rescue to throw a pride celebration like none other - Purrride at Insight Brewing! Join us for an afternoon of:
- A Kitten Snuggling Booth!
- Live Music from DJ Izzie P!
- Pop Up Queer Market from Plant Tea!
- Mirasol Mexican Food Truck!
- Charity Sour Collaboration with Queerspace Collective!
June 16, 2024
7pm
First Avenue & 7th St Entry
Presented by F1rst Wresting. Ages 18 and over with a valid government ID.
June 20-22, 2024
Orchestra Hall
As the 2023–24 season comes to a close, we’ll have plenty of reasons to celebrate: an extraordinary first season with Thomas Søndergård as our music director and the month-long Pride festivities here in Minneapolis and around the country. In a program close to Thomas’ heart, we invite you to join us for music by composers from the LGBTQ+ community featuring the Minnesota Orchestra return of soloist Francesco Piemontesi and culminating with the fireworks of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony.
June 21-30, 2024
Open Eye Theatre
A modern romance for the guy inside all of us. Depravity and enlightenment, protection and liberation, love bombing / situationships / ghosting / et al – Only Ugly Guys delivers a stark reflection on how affection manifests in a non-committal, algorithm-fueled culture. Get tickets now for this gay "anti-romcom."
June 22, 2024
4pm - 11pm
The Pourhouse
Two days full of bar crawl adventures, two complimentary drinks or shots, free cover to a drag show, an awesome after party...and more!
June 23, 2024
11am
Como Park Pavilion
Join us for an action packed celebration of LGBTQIA+ families at our annual Family Fun Day! This FREE event is open to all families, friends, and allies.
June 23, 2024
Showplace ICON Theatres
Watch five feature presentations by local filmmakers on June 23, 2024, at the Showplace ICON Theatres in St. Louis Park. All screenings will be FREE for our community and audiences. In true festival fashion, there will be red carpet filmmaker interviews, post film discussions and an event in celebration of PRIDE month!
June 28, 2024
6 - 9:30pm
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The Beer Dabbler is back to kick off Twin Cities Pride weekend with a night of craft beer sampling from 70 Minnesota breweries and cideries, live music, and fun activities at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
June 28, 2024
7pm - 10pm
Eat Street Crossing
Come one, come all to a Pride Weekend kickoff drag show at Eat Street Crossing. Presented by Lala Luzious of POWER: Drag Revue, our Queens will wow you in a setting befitting of a weekend full of Pride here in the Twin Cities. Join us for a drag affair for all ages on a night filled with glitz, glamour & greatest hits on our inaugural Pride Palooza event here at ESC. Free admission!
June 28, 2024
10:30pm - 2am
Union Rooftop
PLANET GLITTER is back! Blast off to PRIDE! Experience two dance floors of fun. The rooftop will have all the pop-up drag you could ever want, and the basement will celebrate Beyonce's hits. Pop-up drag starts at midnight and occurs throughout the night. This event is 21+.
June 28-30, 2024
The Saloon
Three days full of fun, entertainment and live music.
June 28-30, 2024
On The RoX
Celebrate Pride weekend with us at On The RoX, steps away from Loring Park above The Nicollet Diner, and Roxy's Cabaret. Enjoy skyline views, delicious food, great music, games, prizes, and incredible people in our beautiful cocktail lounge or on our two-story rooftop patio!
June 29, 2024
9pm
First Avenue
Flip Phone Pride XXL featuring Morphine Love Dion and Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige. This show is 18+.
June 29 & 30, 2024
11am - 5pm
Café Lurcat
Located next to Loring Park and Pride headquarters, Café Lurcat will host its annual two-day Pride celebration! Come for a patio party Saturday, June 29 with summer food and drinks and a dance party on Sunday, June 30! There is a $10 cover on Sunday, and both days are 21+.
June 30, 2024
9 - 11am
BF Nelson Park
Get ready to dash through the rainbow at the 2024 Twin Cities Pride Rainbow Run 5k & Kid’s Rainbow Dash! Join us for an electric run down Hennepin Avenue and feel the energy as parade spectators cheer you on!
This year, our theme is ‘Show Your Colors 365,’ so gather your friends and family and dress as bright and colorful as possible to celebrate and represent your identity in this race for all paces. There will be a contest for best race outfit with prizes!
June 30, 2024
10am - 7pm
The Butcher's Tale
Flip Phone is taking over The Butcher's Tale for Pride Sunday. Don't miss the return of the ICONIC event. Join us all day or just come after the parade. Featuring disco dancing all day, drag performances, and delectable food and drink.
Getting Around
Public parking and different transportation options are available to get to Loring Park.
Metro Transit
There are numerous bus stops around Loring Park. Find bus stops along Hennepin Avenue, W 15th Street and Willow Street. Use the Metro Transit Trip Planner to find the best route for you. The best part? Metro Transit provides free rides Pride weekend! Check back here for the free pass.
ADA Shuttle
Find ADA shuttle pickup and drop off locations at designated benches around Loring Park. Text the number on the bench with the location number printed on the sign to request a pickup. Shuttles only pick up and drop off from these designated benches. For more Pride festival accessibility information, visit tcpride.org.
Public Parking
Street parking is available around the neighborhood, but these spots are hard to come by. We recommend the Loring Ramp or the Dunwoody Parking Lot. A bit further is the Vineland Place Ramp across from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Rideshare Pickup and Drop Location
Rideshare services will pickup and drop off from W 15th Street near the W 15th Street & Oak Grove Street bus stop.
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle parking is available at the horseshoe court in the purple zone off W 15th Street.
