Part of the Gay Minneapolis Guide — bars, events & things to do.
Friday, June 26, 2026
Loring Park & Downtown Minneapolis
Loring Park, 1382 Willow St, Minneapolis, MN 55403Drag brunches, circuit nights & every party worth knowing in Minneapolis — in your inbox every week.
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The complete LGBTQ+ guide to Minneapolis & St. Paul — bars, Pride festival, neighborhoods, events, and everything you need to plan your trip.
Robbie S.
The North Star gay rodeo, a Taylor Swift Eras drag brunch, and Cruel Intentions the musical at LUSH — plus the week's queer pop-culture briefing.
Robbie S.
Bottomless mimosas, themed rooftop shows and a $10 seat in Northeast — here's where to find drag brunch in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and how to book the good ones.
Robbie S.Twin Cities Pride is one of the largest free Pride celebrations in the United States — drawing 475,000+ people to Minneapolis over a long weekend of festivals, a massive parade, block parties, and nightlife that transforms the city. Whether you're a local or flying in for the weekend, this guide covers everything you need to know about Twin Cities Pride 2026.
Two weeks before the main Twin Cities Pride, St. Paul throws its own celebration at Dual Citizen Brewing Company. STP Pride features 15+ musical artists across two days, 10+ food trucks, a Youth & Family Fun Zone, outdoor games, local vendors, and educational programming.
It's a smaller, more intimate vibe than the massive Loring Park festival — think neighborhood block party meets community celebration. If you're in the metro area, it's a great way to kick off Pride season without the crowds of the main weekend.
When: June 13–14, 2026 Where: Dual Citizen Brewing Company, St. Paul
Prefer a grassroots, police-free celebration? Minneapolis People's Pride runs the same June weekend at Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis.
Pro Tip
St. Paul Pride is two weeks before Twin Cities Pride — if you're visiting from out of town, you could hit both by extending your trip. They're completely different vibes and well worth experiencing separately.
The Pride Beer Dabbler is a uniquely Minnesota tradition that kicks off Pride weekend on Friday evening. Set in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 70–75 Minnesota breweries and cideries pour their best alongside food trucks, live music, and DJ entertainment.
The standout feature: a partnership with The Little Wedding Co. offering on-site LGBTQ+ vow exchanges and renewals right in the Sculpture Garden. It's a beautiful, celebratory way to start the weekend.
When: Friday, June 26, 2026, 6–9:30 PM (Early Access at 5 PM) Where: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Tickets: Ticketed event with Early Access, General Admission, and Designated Driver tiers
Pro Tip
The Pride Beer Dabbler is the perfect Friday evening warm-up — you're steps from Loring Park and the Hennepin Avenue bars, so you can easily flow from the Sculpture Garden into the rest of Pride weekend nightlife.
The Twin Cities Pride Festival is the heart of the weekend — a massive, free, two-day celebration that fills Loring Park with stages, vendors, food, and community spaces. At 475,000+ attendees, it's one of the largest Pride festivals in the country, and the fact that it's completely free makes it one of the most accessible.
Twin Cities Pride is exceptionally welcoming for families:
Pro Tip
The festival is huge — pick up a map at the entrance and plan your route. The beer garden fills up fast on sunny afternoons, so grab your spot early if you want shade.
The Twin Cities Pride Parade is officially the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade, named after the transgender activist who directed the parade starting in 1993 and transformed it into the largest parade of any kind in Minnesota before her passing in 2000. It's one of the few Pride parades in the country permanently named after a trans woman — and that history runs deep through everything the parade represents.
The parade runs approximately 1.5 miles down Hennepin Avenue, ending at the doorstep of Loring Park so you can walk straight into the festival:
Pro Tip
For the best parade experience, post up near The Saloon at 830 Hennepin Ave — it's the only gay bar on the route, and the energy on that block is unmatched. Get there by 9 AM for the best sidewalk spots, or head inside for drinks and AC.
Twin Cities Pride weekend transforms Minneapolis's LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. The action centers on the Hennepin Avenue bar cluster — three gay bars within a few blocks of each other — plus venues in NE Minneapolis and beyond.
The single biggest party of Pride weekend. The Saloon shuts down its entire block and transforms it into an outdoor festival with a main stage (state-of-the-art sound and lighting), a Ferris wheel, carnival rides, top DJs, and performances running from 7 PM until late on both Saturday and Sunday nights. It's part circuit party, part street fair, part neighborhood celebration — and there's nothing else quite like it at any Pride in the country.
Gay 90's goes all-out for Pride with a multi-floor mega party — different music and vibes on every level, from the main dance floor to the drag cabaret stage. It's one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ venues in the Midwest and the energy during Pride weekend matches the reputation.
Tucked between The Saloon and Gay 90's at 422 Hennepin Ave, The Brass Rail is the classic dive bar of the Hennepin cluster. During Pride weekend, it's the perfect spot to duck in between the bigger venues for a cheaper drink and a breather before diving back into the action.
Pro Tip
The Saloon, Gay 90's, and Brass Rail are all within a 3-block walk on Hennepin Avenue — you can easily hop between all three in a single night without needing a rideshare.
Over in NE Minneapolis, LUSH hosts a Pride Weekend Bash with circuit-inspired dance parties, drag shows, and performances. It's the go-to venue if you want a different vibe from the Hennepin Ave cluster — more curated, more theatrical, and a showcase for some of the best drag talent in the Twin Cities.
Pride weekend drag brunches are a Twin Cities institution:
The Twin Cities' LGBTQ+ nightlife is concentrated in Minneapolis, but St. Paul has two standout venues worth visiting during Pride season:
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
St. Paul, Minnesota
St. Paul, Minnesota
Explore Twin Cities Pride Events
Find all Minneapolis Pride weekend events, venue details, and more on Out x Out
Pride weekend fills up fast — especially hotels near Loring Park and the Hennepin Avenue bar cluster. Book 4–6 weeks in advance for the best rates and availability.
These hotels put you walking distance from both the festival and the parade:
If the Loring Park hotels are booked, downtown options keep you close to the Hennepin Ave bars and an easy walk to the festival:
A different vibe — quieter and more residential, near Lake Bde Maka Ska:
For groups or longer stays, Airbnb and VRBO listings in Loring Park, the North Loop, and NE Arts District offer great options. Look for places within walking distance of Nicollet Mall station or the Hennepin Avenue bars. Popular listings in these neighborhoods book out weeks before Pride — plan ahead.
Browse Gay Friendly hotels in Minneapolis on Expedia
Pro Tip
Book your Pride weekend hotel at least 4–6 weeks in advance. The Hyatt Regency and Chambers Hotel sell out first due to their proximity to Loring Park and the parade route. If those are gone, the W Minneapolis and AC Hotel are excellent downtown alternatives.
The biggest perk of Twin Cities Pride: Metro Transit offers free rides all Pride weekend. Light rail, buses, and connectors are all free — no fare needed. This is the easiest and cheapest way to get around.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) connects directly to downtown via the Blue Line light rail — about 25 minutes and completely free during Pride weekend.
Uber and Lyft are widely available. Expect surge pricing during and after the parade (2–4x normal rates). Set your pickup a few blocks away from Hennepin Avenue to avoid closed streets and find a faster match.
If you must drive:
Pro Tip
Metro Transit is free all Pride weekend — take the Blue or Green Line and skip parking entirely. From MSP airport, the Blue Line gets you downtown in 25 minutes with no fare.
A few things set Twin Cities Pride apart from other cities:
Plan Your Twin Cities Pride Weekend
Browse all Minneapolis events and venues on Out x Out — your LGBTQ+ travel companion
Pride Month isn't just about the festival and parade — organizations across the Twin Cities host their own Pride celebrations throughout June and beyond. The biggest draws are the pro sports Pride Nights, where Minnesota's major teams go all-in with themed merchandise, community activations, and fundraising for LGBTQ+ organizations.
All five major Minnesota sports teams host annual Pride Nights:
The metro's Pride calendar also includes Golden Valley Pride in the western suburbs.
Pro Tip
The Twins, MNUFC, and Lynx all hold their Pride Nights in June — if you're visiting for Pride weekend, check if any games overlap with your trip. The Twins game on June 12 makes a great warm-up to Pride season.
Twin Cities Pride 2026 runs June 26–28. Youth Night is Friday evening (June 26), the festival at Loring Park runs Saturday and Sunday, and the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade is Sunday, June 28 at 11 AM.
Yes — both the festival at Loring Park and the parade are completely free. The Pride Beer Dabbler on Friday evening is a separate ticketed event.
The Saloon at 830 Hennepin Ave is the only gay bar on the parade route and the most popular viewing spot — it opens at 8 AM on parade Sunday. For sidewalk viewing, Hennepin Avenue near 9th Street offers good sightlines with slightly thinner crowds. A VIP ticketed grandstand includes breakfast and beverages.
Metro Transit is free all Pride weekend. Take the Blue or Green Line to Nicollet Mall station — it's the closest stop to Loring Park. From MSP airport, the Blue Line takes about 25 minutes to downtown.
Whatever makes you feel fabulous. Late June in Minneapolis averages highs around 80°F, so dress for warm weather. June is also the city's wettest month, so bring a compact rain jacket just in case. Wear comfortable shoes — you'll be on your feet all day between the parade, festival, and bars.
Very. The festival at Loring Park includes a Youth Hideaway with dedicated Rainbow Stage programming, a Family Services Tent with changing facilities, a Sensory Escape Space for anyone needing a quiet break, and a kids' Rainbow Dash before the parade. The parade itself is family-friendly, though after-dark nightlife is more adult-oriented.
Hotels near Loring Park (Hyatt Regency, Chambers Hotel, Hilton Minneapolis) put you walking distance from both the festival and the parade. Downtown Minneapolis has more options at various price points. Book 4–6 weeks in advance — Pride weekend fills up fast.
The Twin Cities Pride Parade is officially named the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade, honoring the transgender activist who directed the parade starting in 1993 and grew it into the largest parade of any kind in Minnesota before her death in 2000. It's one of the few Pride parades in the country permanently named after a trans woman.
Planning your Twin Cities Pride trip? Check out our LGBTQ+ Guide to the Twin Cities for neighborhood tips and the full venue rundown, and browse all Minneapolis events on Out x Out for the latest listings.
