Twin Cities Pride 2019: Transit, Schedule, Parade Route

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — This year marks the 47th anniversary of the Twin Cities Pride Festival, and 2019 will see a full weekend of celebrating the city's LGBT community, kicking off with Beer Dabbler at Twin Cities Pride and culminating in the annual Ashley Rukes Pride Parade on Sunday, June 23. The festival is held in Loring Park, 1832 Willow St. in Minneapolis.

The 2019 festival, which officially kicks off at 10 a.m. June 22, honors the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that occurred outside New York's landmark Stonewall Inn in 1969 and began the gay rights movement. The festival features 400 exhibitor booths, 40 food vendors, and four free music and performance stages. Admittance to the festival is free, though some events charge a fee. See the full schedule of weekend entertainment and vendors on the Twin Cities Pride website.

This year’s parade sees a change in route, according to organizers, due to construction on Hennepin Avenue. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday, and the route starts at Third Street South and follows Second Avenue around the Minneapolis Convention Center and into Loring Park. Grandstand and parade judges will be stationed in front of the convention center. Grandstand general admission tickets can be purchased for $69.

Transit To Festival

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul area has an expansive bus and light rail system, and festival-goers can plan their trip using Metro Transit’s route planner. Metro Transit also is offering a Free Ride To Pride on Sunday. Download your free pass here.

Ride a bike to the festival using Nice Ride, which offers docking and availability at the 15th Street docking station. Bike check and bike valet will be available on the southwest corner of Loring Park in the horseshoe pit area. Attendees can also take Uber or Lyft. Two joint drop-off and pickup locations will be stationed at Yale and Willow, and on 15th near Lyndale and Hennepin.

Beer Dabbler at Twin Cities Pride

Scheduled from 5:30-9:30 p.m. June 21, sample hundreds of local brews and ciders from more than 50 breweries. Held in Loring Park, the event also features food trucks and entertainment. Beer Dabbler tickets can be purchased online. Cost to attend is $50 per person.

12th Annual Fruit Bowl

For festival-goers looking for a family-friendly activity, the annual Fruit Bowl at Memory Lanes in Minneapolis will offer a substance-free environment with bowling, volleyball, kids activities, karaoke, a taco bar and door prizes. While the Fruit Bowl is a ticketed event, no one will be turned away, according to festival organizers.

The Fruit Bowl is scheduled Friday, June 21, at 9 p.m. Tickets are available online or at the door.

Annual Pride Dance At The Clubhouse

The Woman’s Club, 410 Oak Grove St. in Minneapolis, will host the annual Pride Dance on Saturday, June 22, starting at 8 p.m. The event offers music, dancing, food and drinks. Take in the fireworks outside at 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Rainbow Run 5K

The 8th annual run, scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 23, has a new route this year. Runners will start at BF Nelson Park, 434 N.E. Main St. in Minneapolis, and must clear the route by 10:30 a.m. for the parade. All runners over 21 get a free beer at the end of the run. Participants can register for the Rainbow Run 5K online.