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Where to celebrate Pride in the Twin Cities

Scenes at the Twin Cities Pride Parade along Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis on Sunday, June 26, 2022.
Scenes at the Twin Cities Pride Parade along Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis on Sunday, June 26, 2022. Nikolas Liepins for MPR News

by Sofia Haan

June 01, 2023

With humble beginnings as a remembrance of the Stonewall riots and the gay liberation movement of the late 1960s, Pride Month means time to uplift the LGBTQ+ community, honor their revolutionary history, and celebrate queer culture. Throughout the month of June, members of the community and allies alike come together to remember the key figures in the fight for queer liberation and to empower the future of the movement for equal rights.

Make the most of Pride Month with some of these exciting Twin Cities events, most of which will feature live music: 

Jun 1: “Going Out, Coming In: LGBTQ+ Spaces in Downtown Minneapolis” at Mill City Museum
Explore the opening of the Mill City Museum’s exhibit on queer identity and love throughout the development of downtown Minneapolis. Inspired by the Twin Cities LBGTQ+ History Tours created by Twin Cities Pride and Minnesota Historical Society, the exhibit features powerful photos of queer resistance and love throughout 20th century Minneapolis. 
Tickets, 704 S. Second St., Minneapolis

June 1: Cheers to Pride at Utepils
Raise a glass to the start of Pride Month at Utepils. As a part of a new partnership with Twin Cities Pride, the Bryn Mawr brewery will be donating a portion of every purchase to TCP’s community programming division, Rainbow Circle. Sample Pride Beer, pick up tickets for the Pride Dabbler, and groove with DJ Shannon Blowtorch in the Beer Garden. 
Tickets, 225 Thomas Ave. N. #700, Minneapolis

June 7: How Love Won: The Fight for Marriage Equality in Minnesota at the Main Cinema
Celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Minnesota’s legalization of same-sex marriage with a special screening of How Love Won: The Fight for Marriage Equality in Minnesota. Conversation following the film will feature speakers including Minnesotans United for All Families Campaign Manager Richard Carlbom, OutFront Minnesota Executive Director Kat Rohn, and filmmaker Michael McIntee.
Tickets, 115 SE Main St., Minneapolis 

Megan O'Keefe of S. Paul
People watch the Love Is The Law Concert in the Ecolab plaza in downtown St. Paul following Gov. Mark Dayton's signing of the same-sex marriage bill, May 14, 2013.
MPR File Photo/Nate Ryan

June 10: Queer Prom at the Treasury
Whether you never went to prom or want to relive your prom experience, dance the night away at the Treasury to the tunes of DJs butangel420, Patrish, and MOMMY LONGLEGS. It’s all ages, alcohol free, and welcome to all. 
Tickets, 965 Payne Ave., St. Paul

June 11: Summer of Sound: Flip Phone at Surly Brewing
In a special edition of Surly Brewing’s Summer of Sound concert series, the prolific drag brunch organizers will be spinning tunes for two DJ sets in the Surly Beer Garden. It’s just one of many events Flip Phone is hosting throughout Pride Month — explore the entire June agenda, including drag brunches, dance parties, and more. 

June 16-17: Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus Pride Concert And IIIIIIIIIIII…, at Ted Mann Concert Hall
What better way to celebrate Pride than with the music of an icon of pop? Join the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus as they pay homage to Whitney Houston with a medley of beloved hits like “Higher Love,” “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” and of course, “I Will Always Love You.” Note: the June 17 performance will be ASL interpreted.
Tickets, 2128 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis 

Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus
Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus
Jennifer Simonson/MPR

June 18: Wrestlepalooza at First Avenue
Pro Wrestling crew F1RST Wrestling is back at the First Avenue Mainroom to kick off Pride! Fan favorites like Darin Corbin, Devon Monroe, and Allie Katch will be wrestling for their chance at a belt throughout the evening, and spectators can enjoy evening of drag, burlesque and live music performances in between matches. Tickets sell out quickly for this exciting event — don’t miss out! 
Tickets, 701 N. First Ave., Minneapolis 

From MPR News: Celebrate pride month in Minnesota with these LGBTQ+ events

PRIDE WEEKEND EVENTS

June 23: GRRRL Scout SUMMER CAMP at the Hook and Ladder Theater
GRRRL Scout is bringing the block party energy to the Hook and Ladder Theater for the 10th Annual Summer Camp Pride Party. Every room and outdoor space of the Hook and Ladder will feature Pride entertainment all night long, including DJ sets by DJ Rosheen, AriAtari, and Mommy Long Legs as well as drag and burlesque performances by Pricilla Es Yuicy and Coco Dupre. 
Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis

June 23-25: Twin Cities Pride Festival at Loring Park
For its 51st year, Twin Cities Pride is taking over Loring Park for two full days of Pride activities. From local vendors and live music stages to food trucks and numerous art performances, both days are jam-packed with exciting festival fare. Live performance and lineup schedules for the Loring Stage are still in the works, so stay tuned to Twin Cities Pride to learn more as Pride weekend nears. The entire Twin Cities Pride weekend is full of events and activities, so explore TCP’s guide to making the most of your Pride weekend. 
More info, 1382 Willow St., Minneapolis

Friends take a group photo together in Loring Park.
Friends take a group photo together in Loring Park during 2018 Twin Cities Pride in Minneapolis.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

June 23-25: Saloon Block Party at the Saloon Minneapolis
With three whole nights of live music, drag, and DJ performances, the Saloon has you covered all Pride Weekend long. Catch main stage performances by Alle Reich and Daya, as well as a special performance by RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Star winner Shea Couleé.
Tickets, 830 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

June 23: Punk Pride Party at Mortimer’s
Looking for a little bit of a different flavor of music for your Pride? Head to Uptown to catch a full bill of local acts bringing punk to Pride. Enjoy the talents of Rigby, Spit Takes, Mary Jam, and Poison Ivy.
Info, 2001 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 

June 23: The Klituation Pride Party
Featuring an all-women and gender-expansive cast, Klituation parties have long been hyped as hosts of the premier safe, inclusive, and creatively exciting dance nights across the Twin Cities. Join them as they kick off Pride weekend at First Avenue with a full slate of supporting performers, including national names like JAX of RuPaul’s Drag Race and JAKI, and local artists like Dizzy Fae and Maria Isa.
Tickets, 701 N. First Ave., Minneapolis 

June 24: Extra as F*CK at the Hook and Ladder Theater
Twin Cities nightlife legends DJ Shannon Blowtorch and Elektra Cute of Black Hearts Burlesque are here to make sure you’re dancing your way through Pride weekend. Together, they’re taking over the Hook and Ladder to put on a party full of circus entertainment and drag performances, all soundtracked by a team of local DJs all night long.
Tickets, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis

June 24: Flip Phone XXL Pride edition at First Avenue
If you haven’t gotten enough Pride dance parties, catch RuPaul’s Drag Race contest Luxx Noir London as she headlines the star-studded Flip Phone dance night. Celebrate drag performers from across the Twin Cities, and dance to DJ sets all night long.
Tickets, 701 N First Ave., Minneapolis 

June 24: Minneapolis People’s Pride at Powderhorn Park
Now in its third year, Minneapolis People’s Pride is a grassroots pride event created to divest from corporate Pride influence and prioritize the people of Minneapolis’s LGBTQ+ community. While this year’s details are still in the works, get ready for a full day of local vendors, performers, and musicians to help celebrate Pride more locally. 
More info, 3400 15th Ave. S., Minneapolis

people lying down
People relax in the shade during the Minneapolis Peoples Pride festival in Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis on Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Judy Griesedieck for MPR News

June 24: Palmer’s Patio Pride
Hang out on the Palmer’s patio for an evening of music featuring local LGBTQ+ artists. Catch everything from hip hop and rap to rock and pop, courtesy of performers hailing from Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Tickets, 500 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis

June 25: Pride Parade in Downtown Minneapolis
Wrap up your Pride weekend with the downtown Pride March honoring former Twin Cities Pride organizer Ashley Rukes. Get there early to find a spot on the street downtown to enjoy floats from local businesses, clubs, and organizations as they parade through the city back toward the festival in Loring Park. More information on lineup to come. 
More info, begins at 7th and Hennepin

No matter how you choose to celebrate Pride this year, find time to celebrate the people and the efforts that created the LGBTQ+ movement of today and uplift queer joy. For Pride celebrations year round, stay connected with Twin Cities Pride to find community events near you. 

Illustration with colorful vignettes of outdoor activities
Minneapolis-based artist/illustrator Jose Dominguez created three original works for The Current's 89 Days of Summer.
Jose Dominguez for MPR

This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.