Grand Forks, a proud city in North Dakota, continues to embrace and celebrate its lgbtq+Q+ community with the annual Grand Forks Pride festival. For 2025, organizers are preparing an expanded week-long celebration that will run from September 7 through September 14, offering a variety of events to honor diversity, foster inclusion, and bring people together. Grand Forks Pride has always been about creating safe spaces for lgbtq+Q+ residents and allies, and the 2025 edition marks a milestone as the festival will feature the city’s first-ever Pride parade. Community leaders and volunteers have worked with local government and sponsors to develop a schedule that honors local traditions while introducing new experiences to the region.
The festival will kick off on Sunday, September 7 with a Pride-themed worship service held at the Christus Rex Lutheran Campus Center and Tabula Coffeehouse on the University of North Dakota campus. This welcoming service will bring together multiple local churches to reflect on faith and equality, followed by a community meal to encourage fellowship. On Monday, September 8, the Grand Forks Public Library will host a creative “Library Craft Night” where participants can make pride-themed bead art using Perler beads. Tuesday, September 9 invites community members to listen to and learn from local trans residents at a Trans Panel held in East Grand Forks, providing a platform for trans individuals to share their experiences and answer questions about gender diversity.
Mid-week activities continue with a Pride Bowling Social on Wednesday, September 10. Held at a local bowling alley, this event encourages attendees to enjoy an afternoon of bowling and bonding, with multiple lanes reserved for participants. After a brief break on Thursday, the festival resumes on Friday, September 12 with a Pride BBQ and Open Mic Night at the Christus Rex Lutheran Campus Center and Tabula Coffeehouse. The evening will feature an outdoor barbecue, followed by an open mic session where attendees can share poetry, music, stories and other performances in a supportive environment. These weekday events highlight the festival’s emphasis on community engagement and provide multiple entry points for people of all ages and identities to participate.
The weekend ushers in the festival’s most anticipated gatherings. On Saturday, September 13, Kittson Avenue in downtown Grand Forks will host “Pride in the Park,” a vibrant vendor fair and community gathering. Pride in the Park will bring together local artists, businesses, and advocacy organizations for a day of music, food, and family-friendly activities. Later that evening, the American Legion in East Grand Forks will welcome attendees for a dance celebration, giving the community a chance to come together and enjoy music into the evening. Saturday will also feature an “18+ Pride Mixer” designed for adult lgbtq+QIA+ attendees and allies. This mixer promises a lively night of dancing, music and camaraderie, adding a nightlife component to the festival.
The festival culminates on Sunday, September 14 with Grand Forks’ first ever Pride Parade. The parade will process down 3rd Street in downtown Grand Forks, symbolizing the city’s growing embrace of lgbtq+Q+ visibility and activism. According to organizers, the parade is open to all participants and will celebrate unity, pride, and inclusivity. Community advocates have emphasized that the 2025 parade is a historic moment, made possible through collaboration with city officials and the support of local residents. Following the parade, participants can reflect on the week’s activities and continue their connections through informal gatherings and post-parade celebrations.
Grand Forks Pride 2025 underscores the city’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where lgbtq+Q+ individuals, families and allies feel seen and celebrated. The festival’s varied schedule invites participation from diverse segments of the community—from faith communities and families with children to artists, students, and adults seeking social connection. Throughout the week, organizers encourage volunteers to lend their time and businesses to support the festival through sponsorships. For the most up-to-date schedule, including additional events that may be added, attendees should visit the official Grand Forks Pride website and follow Grand Forks Pride on social media.
In joining Grand Forks Pride 2025, visitors will not only enjoy a week of engaging activities but also contribute to a broader movement for equality and inclusion. Whether you attend the intimate craft night, cheer on performers at the open mic, browse booths at Pride in the Park, or march in the inaugural parade, your presence helps to amplify the message that Grand Forks is a place where everyone is welcome. Make plans now to join this vibrant celebration from September 7–14, 2025, and be part of a historic moment as the city hosts its first Pride parade and continues to grow its community of love and acceptance.
