Twin Cities Pride is the largest free Pride festival in the USA, and this year, organizers have planned the most Accessible Pride in Twin Cities history!  Held on Saturday, June 29th, and Sunday, June 30th at beautiful Loring Park, this vibrant festival

highlights the best in LGBTQIA+ entertainment on four stages, featuring over 650 vendors, including LGBTQIA+ & BIPOC community resources, artists, and businesses.  The Parade is Sunday, June 30th from 11 am-2 pm, beginning at 3rd St and Hennepin and proceeding down Hennepin to Spruce.  For more information, or to leave feedback on improving Pride accessibility efforts, email accessibility@tcpride.org.  

Additionally,  a Friendly "shout out" is due to Executive Director, Andi Otto, who leverages his many years of leadership experience to help as many LGBTQ+ community members get to be their authentic selves and feel supported by their communities. 

Click here to view Twin City Pride's 2024 Festival Map at full size! 

Your Accessible Trip to Twin Cities Pride

Open the full Twin Cities Pride map here to view the entire grounds and the festival's Accessibility options up close!

ACCESSIBLE SEATING: MAIN STAGE

There is an accessible viewing area for every stage noted with a wheelchair icon.  

Accessible viewing areas and paths that are more accessible are noted on the map with green dots. Paths that are steep, rocky, narrow, or inaccessible are marked with yellow road signs on the map. 

ACCESSIBLE SEATING: PARADE 

The Accessible Grandstand viewing area is clearly delineated, has an ASL interpreter, provides shade, and has an accessible bathroom nearby. All free tickets to the Accessible Grandstand viewing area at 9th and Hennepin have been claimed. However, an additional Accessible Viewing area will be taped off on the sidewalk between the Grandstands. For attendees over 65, tickets are available here for the adjacent Senior Grandstand.  

Those who would like to explore other nearby viewing areas may find success in the following locations:  

• By arriving no later than 9 am, you may be able to secure a curb-front spot directly on the parade route. 
• The Minneapolis Community and Technical College has a slightly elevated area that may work for parade viewing 
• Watch the parade from above on the bridge connecting Mayo Clinic (located on Hennepin and 1st St) to rooftop parking. Note that rooftop parking in this area is private and not designated for Pride attendees. 
• Nearby rooftop restaurants, such as Crave, Riva Terrace, and Union Rooftop may charge a cover fee but have views of the parade from above.
• The Hennepin (located on Hennepin and 9th St) has large glass windows on two floors from which it is possible to view the parade.

Note:  There are also Portable Restrooms all along Hennepin, and there are ADA restrooms at each bank of restrooms.

ACCESSIBLE SHUTTLES

The map has Designated Benches (and Golf Cart icons) to identify accessible pickup and drop-off locations.  To request a pickup, text the number on the bench with the location number on the sign. Shuttles ONLY pick up and drop off from these designated benches and will not provide transportation elsewhere. 

ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS

Every bank of Port-a-Potties includes an ADA bathroom. Accessible bathrooms are also available in the beer garden, Autism tent, and the Time of Birth zone. Additional ADA bathrooms are located near the Accessible seating area at the LGBTQ+ Pride March.

The Time of Birth booth has child and adult changing tables and an area for breast feeding and expressing milk. It is located near the Escape Space in the light blue zone.

ASL INTERPRETERS

There are ASL Interpretation on all stages, all day long!

ASL interpreters, for Deaf/Hard of Hearing attendees  are available at the Accessibility Grandstand on 9th and Hennepin on the South Side of the street

The ASL & Interpreter Coordinator Booth is located at the Minnesota Deaf Queers booths 506 & 507 in the orange zone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and need assistance, the wonderful humans at this booth want to help!   

IDENTIFYING VOLUNTEERS & STAFF

Pride staff, volunteers, sensory-friendly volunteers, and paramedics will be roaming the grounds in clearly color-coded shirts. 

•   Staff shirts - Kelly Green
• Volunteer shirts - Fuschia
•  
•   Sensory Friendly shirts - Lime Green.
• Note:  Sensory-friendly volunteers will carry sensory aids in their backpacks such as headphones and fidget toys.
• Paramedics will be wearing official uniforms
  
  

TAKE A BREAK/LOW SENSORY SPACES

Need a break? Visit the Escape Space near the Remembrance Garden in the Light Blue Zone. This tent is designed to give anyone sensory relief and its contents are provided by Autism Minnesota. There is also a calming yard set-up outside of the tent. The Escape Space is air conditioned and has windows offering a beautiful lake view. 

FAMILY-FRIENDLY AREAS

Next to the Escape Space on the light blue section of the map, there is a Family Services area. This includes an ADA bathroom and a Universal Changing Place (with youth and adult changing tables). There is a quiet and relaxing area with a lactation point, fidget toys, blankets, and a Rainbow Wardrobe with gender-affirming wardrobe options. 

ASSISTED MOBILITY DEVICE - WHEELCHAIR RENTAL AND CHARGING 

Chairs are available to borrow at no cost at the Pride Operations area. There is limited availability.

Charging stations for people with disabilities are available at the First Aid tent near the Grant and Willow Street entrance on the East side of the park. Power is available, however, please bring the specific charger for your chair. 

Find Lime Scooters around Loring Park and use the discount code in the app to get around!

Emergency Services

• First Aid tents can be found near the entrance at Grant and Willow Street (East side of the Park) and near the food court in the purple zone (West side of the park). 
• First Aid tents are staffed by paramedics. Additional EMS providers are roaming the parade and festival grounds in official uniforms.

PUBLIC & ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT OPTIONS

Metro Transit:  Public Transportation is the best way to get to the festival! You can get free ride passes for the festival via Metro Transit by selecting the day(s) you need a pass here:  June 29th and/or June 30th.

Metro Mobility:  Accessible buses visit designated spots next to the parade route and park. Drivers receive extensive training assisting passengers, properly securing wheelchairs and scooters, and safely operating the motorized lifts provided on every Metro Mobility vehicle. All Metro Mobility lifts can accommodate mobility devices up to 30 inches wide and 48 inches long. Metro Mobility lifts can handle approximately 800 pounds.

You can find more information at https://www.metrotransit.org/metro-mobility or by calling Metro Mobility directly, at 651-602-1111 (TTY 651-221-9886).

RIDE SHARE PICK UP AND DROP OFF LOCATIONS

Rideshare services will be able to pick up and drop off at Loring Park from W 15th Street near the 15th St W & Oak Grove St bus stop.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING

Accessible parking is only valid in MARKED spaces, elsewhere you are subject to a ticket and/or tow. 

We have worked with the city of Minneapolis to provide as many Accessible parking spaces near Loring Park as possible. Please observe accessible signage and ensure you are parked in proper accessible signed spaces. For an interactive parking and transit map, please click here.

Accessible spaces around Loring Park are centered in two locations. The first is the entire block of Maple Street directly off Hennepin Avenue. Accessible spaces on this road are marked by a blue accessible hood over standard City of Minneapolis parking meters. 

The second location for handicapped parking is located on West 15th Street near the intersection of Willow Street and West 15th Street. 

For additional handicapped parking, we suggest using dedicated handicap spaces within the MCTC Ramp, as the ramp is a short distance from our handicapped parking on Maple Street. 

Personalized Accessible Adventures

Friendly Like Me is now and forever a 100% free mobile app in which people can find and review locations all around the country for their specific access needs. In the app, you can build a personalized profile and select from a list of accessibility features to help you know at a glance whether a business is Friendly to you. From bars and hotels to hospitals and parks, we have over six million businesses waiting for you to explore!

Below, find a list of hand-picked venues near and around Twin Cities Pride with detailed information about accessible places to visit and stay.

Now get out there, go with confidence--and PRIDE!