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 27-28, 2026. 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!
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. Finally, grab a pint at Brühaven or 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 26 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 28 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 2025 Twin Cities Pride Rainbow Run 5k
Sign up for the Rainbow Run 5k down Hennepin Avenue on Sunday, June 28 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! During the summers the museum hosts Skyline Mini Golf, featuring 10 whimsical, artist-designed holes set against panoramic views of downtown Minneapolis. 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.
9. Check out all the other Pride related events happening around town
You'll love these drag shows, bar crawls, performances and more! Check back soon for even more Pride events happening in Minneapolis.
June 5-20, 2026
901 North 3rd Street
Shakespeare's most overdone comedy gets a radical new production that explodes Original Practice all-male casting into something messy, sexy, and very gay. Performed by six dynamic actors, this Midsummer Night's Dream embraces the dark, twisted, and unsettling aspects of Shakespeare's original text, served up in a flamboyant and unexpectedly queer way. See what chaos ensues when a company of Boy Actors takes over the Cockpit for the performance of their dreams.
June 23, 2026
Afternoon & Evening
Minneapolis American Indian Center
New Native Theatre’s Two Spirit Powwow is Minnesota’s only powwow honoring our Native Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ relatives — and it’s happening June 23 at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. This free, family-friendly event brings together over 500 people for a full day of dancing, drumming, regalia, craft vendors, and a community feast. It’s more than a celebration — it’s a sacred space for visibility, culture, and love.
June 24-28, 2026
Brühaven Brewing
From drag queen bingo to tank top tie-dyeing and an electric pride dance party, there's something fun happening to celebrate Twin Cities Pride all week long at Brühaven Brewing!
June 25, 2026
6pm
The Boiler Room Coffee Co
Think you know your LGBTQ+ history, pop culture, and pride anthems? Gather your most knowledgeable friends and come test your trivia skills in a welcoming, celebratory space. Teams welcome, solo players welcome, everyone welcome.
June 26, 2026
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 27, 2026
Noon - 4pm
Powderhorn Park
The Minneapolis People’s Pride intends to be a space for all queer folks to experience joy, eat food, trade art, and various other activities. Making space for and feeding queer joy is a radical act of resistance that both uplifts the queer community and resists white supremacist heteropatriarchy. We aim to create a space for rest, collaboration, and love, centering those most marginalized and affected by systemic xenophobia.
June 27, 2026
Noon - 5pm
Broken Clock Brewing Collective
Celebrate Pride month and support an incredible lineup of local LGBTQIA+ makers, creators, and organizations at our upcoming Queer Makers Market! The pop-up marketplace will feature everything from stunning stained glass and handmade crafts to local art, unique clothing, and community resources. Grab a delicious craft brew, hang out in the taproom, and shop local!
June 28, 2026
2:30pm
Butcher's Tale
Flip Phone + The Butcher's Tale + Daddy Issues present PRIDE DISCO BLOCK PARTY + DRAG SHOW w/ Daddy Issues and Rebecca Black (DJ set). We are 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, Pop-up Drag Shows, Delectable Food and Drink available by The Butcher's Tale
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.
