Twin Cities Pride
Celebrate the greater LGBTQ community at one of the largest free Pride festivals in the country.
Come celebrate Twin Cities Pride with us at the 2019 Pride festival and parade Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23! With over 400 exhibitor booths, 4 stages of entertainment, plenty of food and drink options and a schedule packed with events, Twin Cities Pride is something you don’t want to miss!
Get the excitement going with the Pride Beer Dabbler on Friday, June 21. Sample unique beers specifically created for Pride from 50 different Minnesota breweries! Then kick off the festival at Loring Park on Saturday and experience six different zones each including a variety of entertainment like the beer garden, fireworks, arts and culture, sports field and food courts. On Sunday, be sure to get a spot for the parade so you can participate in the one of the biggest celebrations of the LGBTQ community!
To make the most out of your festival experience, don't worry about driving home. Make a weekend out of it! It's more fun when you sleep over (we promise). Be sure to check out the best hotel deals plus summer events and things to do during your weekend getaway.
8 Ways to Maximize your Pride Experience in Minneapolis
While there are plenty of awesome events and activities to experience at 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 8 ways to maximize your Pride weekend in Minneapolis!
1. Dive into the foodie scene at Cafe Bar & Lurcat
Calling all foodies! You can’t come to Minneapolis and NOT try Café and Bar Lurcat. The trendy, urban eatery has both a café for a fabulous sit-down dinner, and a bar for hanging out with a couple of craft cocktails. Located right outside of Loring Park, it’s the perfect spot to relax and indulge in the Minneapolis food scene post festival madness!
2. Get your brunch on at The Bird
The fun at Pride doesn’t stop, so you need to fuel up! Also right outside of Loring Park, The Bird is a great spot for healthy eats, nutritious smoothies and fresh squeezed juice. If you’re looking for more of a jolt in the morning, don’t worry. They offer bottomless bloody marys and mimosas with breakfast and lunch.
3. 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.
4. Get a taste of our brew scene Lakes & Legends
A trip to Minneapolis just wouldn’t be the same without experiencing our incredible craft beer scene. Luckily, Lakes and Legends is just a few short blocks from Loring Park, so you can quench your thirst with a cold beer whenever the mood strikes. The beer is incredible, the space is beautiful, and they even offer games.
5. 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. 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.
6. Spice up your dinner plans with Salsa A La Salsa
When you’re done at Lakes and Legends, round up your friends and head just a block over to Salsa A La Salsa for some Mexican food! Enjoy margaritas, traditional Mexican cuisine, and even vegetarian dishes. It’s a great spot to unwind after the festival, or get the party started. We’ll let you decide.
7. Get moving at Lake of the Isles
Travel just 2 miles southwest of Loring Park and find the beautiful Lake of the Isles. It wouldn’t quite be a Minneapolis weekend without walking around one of our many lakes. Minnesota is the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” after all. One of the most popular spots to break a sweat or lay out a towel, you’ll find bikers, skaters, sun-seekers, people-watchers, and everything in between.
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! Although the Walker has a number of incredible galleries and exhibits, the star is the Sculpture Garden. Recently renovated and re-opened last summer, the Sculpture Garden is a true gem in Minneapolis. Visit the iconic Spoon Bridge and Cherry among more than 40 other works from the Walker’s collection. Afterwards, make a visit to Esker Grove, 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.
MAKE IT A WEEKEND!
Come for the Pride Festival, but stay to experience all there is to do in Minneapolis. Why not make a weekend out of it? Check out hotel deals, summer events, and other festivals and fairs that you might just want to stay for.