MINNEAPOLIS — Pride Month is officially underway, and there are already a number of celebrations and events on tap across the Twin Cities.
The 51st Annual Twin Cities Pride Festival will take place over three days on June 23-25, culminating in the Pride March that Sunday.
Multiple Pride weekend events, along with the two-night Taylor Swift concert, will impact how easily you can get around the city. Here's a look at the road closures to be aware of:
Block party: From 9 a.m. on Friday, June 23 until 5 a.m. on Monday, June 26, Ninth Street between Hennepin and Hawthorne avenues will be closed for the Pride Block Party at the Saloon.
Parade and run: From 7 a.m. on Sunday, June 25 until approximately 4 p.m., Hennepin Avenue will be closed from Washington Avenue to 16th Street for the Rainbow Run 5K My Way and the Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March
Warehouse District Live: This weekend and all weekends throughout the summer, First Avenue from Fifth Street to Sixth Street is closed to motor vehicles starting at 9 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Sunday.
Taylor Swift Eras Tour: Chicago Avenue between Fourth and Sixth Streets will be closed from 11 a.m. until an hour after the concert ends, and Fourth Street will be closed between Park Avenue and Norm McGrew Place from 2:30 p.m. until an hour after the concert ends.
For Pride-goers staying out late at night, Metro Transit added LRT and bus routes past 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Taylor Swift will perform at U.S. Bank Stadium on both nights, and Metro Transit added the routes after online pressure from the Swiftie fanbase. Click here for more Metro Transit Pride Weekend information.
Check out the events hosted by Twin Cities Pride this June, and click here for a full community calendar of events and activities.
Cheers to Pride
When: Thursday, June 1
Where: Dozens of locations around the Twin Cities
What: "Cheers to Pride" is Twin Cities Pride's kickoff to Pride Month 2023. Dozens of participating locations are donating a portion of drink purchases to Rainbow Circle, a year-round community programming organization. Click here to see the full list of participating breweries, coffee shops and restaurants.
Pride Family Fun Day
When: Sunday, June 18, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Where: Como Park East Pavilions
What: This rain-or-shine family day will have games for kids, snacks and a free Minnesota Twins Youth Baseball Clinic from noon until 2 p.m., hosted by Twins Pride.
Twin Cities Pride Festival
When: June 23 6-9 p.m., June 24 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., June 25 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Loring Park and Parade Park, Minneapolis
What: The theme of the 51st annual Twin Cities Pride Festival and March is "Elevate and Amplify." The three-day festival will feature local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ vendors, food courts, a beer garden and music stages.
This year, Metro Transit is once again offering free rides to Pride. Those interested just need to fill out a survey for a free ride pass for Saturday or Sunday.
Rainbow Run 5K My Way
When: Sunday, June 25 from 9-11 a.m.
Where: Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
What: Dress in your rainbow best for the 2023 Rainbow Run. The race continues down Hennepin Avenue and runners ages 21 and older will receive a free beer at the Sculpture Garden beer tent. Click here to register.
2023 Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March Honoring Ashley Rukes
When: Sunday, June 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: March begins at 11 a.m. at 3rd Avenue and Hennepin and proceeds down Hennepin to Spruce then into Loring Park.
What: While attending the Pride March is free, tickets are now available for grandstand seating along the march route in downtown Minneapolis.
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