Celebrating Pride Month in Northern Michigan

12 events happening this June

As June arrives, Pride Month arrives alongside it with a rush of color and community. Check out this year’s round-up of Pride events happening across NoMi, from coffeehouse gatherings, to dance floors, to quiet circles of understanding, to the glittering joy of a drag show.

1. Pride in the Park — Saturday, May 30 | 1–3pm
Lions Pavilion, First Street Beach, Manistee
Pride Month starts early in Manistee! Pride in the ’Stee’s annual Pride in the Park celebration is designed for maximum community vibes: an ice cream sundae bar, games, and activity tables that make it easy to mingle even if you’re a wallflower.

2. Get Tie-Dyed for Pride — Monday, June 1 | 4–6pm
Marquette Park, Mackinac Island
Straits Pride is kicking off June with a tie-dye gathering in Marquette Park on Mackinac Island and inviting attendees to create their own uniquely designed Straits Pride tee. Plain white Straits Pride shirts will be available for $15 each, and all dye materials are provided. The best part: it’s open to all ages and identities, which makes it a great option for families, visitors, and locals who want a relaxed way to join in.

3. Youth Group (Ages 13–17) — Thursdays | June 4 | 4:15–5:45pm
UUCGT, 6726 Center Road, Traverse City
Pride Month isn’t only about parties. This teen-focused Youth Group is designed specifically for ages 13–17, offering a consistent weekly space to connect. A special thanks goes to 3 Owls, who will be facilitating and available to provide free, confidential support for any teens who need it.

4. “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything!” Viewing Party — Thursday, June 4 | 6–10pm
State Theatre, 235 E. Front Street, Traverse City
Traverse City’s State Theatre is hosting a screening party for the iconic camp classic To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, complete with drag performances, community energy, and special appearances from Deija Vaton and Mercedes Benz-Over. Doors open at 5pm, the event starts at 6pm, and tickets are $10. Proceeds benefit The Trevor Project.

5. Spoken Word Showcase — Friday, June 5 | 7–8pm
Lucky Bean Coffeehouse, Mackinac Island
If you love Pride events that leave you feeling both inspired and a little more human, put this one on your list. The Spoken Word Showcase at Lucky Bean Coffeehouse brings together local creatives for dramatic readings, monologues, and poetry, all centered on LGBTQ+ topics and the theme of queer experience. Expect a range of tones and genres: educational, entertaining, heartfelt, and occasionally hilarious. The event is free and open to the public.

6. Tarot Workshop — Monday, June 8 | 5:30–7pm
The Crow’s Nest at Commongrounds, 414 E. Eighth Street, Traverse City
If you’ve ever wanted to explore tarot without the pressure of “doing it right,” this workshop is for you. This isn’t a lecture or a memorization session, it’s a collaborative exploration of tarot for self-care and inspiration. Decks and books by queer creators will be available to interact with, and all you need to bring is a pen, paper, and curiosity.

7. TC Pit Spitters Pride Game — Monday, June 8 | 7–9pm
Turtle Creek Stadium, 333 Stadium Drive, Traverse City
The TC Pit Spitters Pride Game invites fans to celebrate Pride Night alongside the Up North Pride community. Whether you’re there for baseball, the atmosphere, or the simple joy of seeing rainbow gear in the stands, it’s a fun summer evening out.

8. The Open Page: A Queer Writers Circle — Tuesday, June 9 | 6–7:30pm
The Folded Leaf, 414 E. Eighth Street, Traverse City
Not every Pride event needs a stage. The Open Page is a monthly writing circle hosted in collaboration with Up North Pride and The Folded Leaf. It’s designed for LGBTQ+ writers, questioning creatives, and allies who want a soft, supportive place to write, explore, and connect. Each gathering begins with a short prompt inspired by queer literature, memory, identity, place, imagination, or joy followed by quiet writing time and optional sharing. Bring your journal, a scrap of paper, or your Notes app. All forms are welcome: poems, fiction, essays, memoir, journaling, letters, fragments, unfinished thoughts.

9. Drag Brunch — Tuesday, June 16 | 11am–2pm
Community Hall, Mackinac Island
Brunch is already a celebration. Add Pride Month, a lilac theme, and world-class drag performers, and you’ve got a mid-June event that’s designed to become one of your favorite memories! Straits Pride’s lilac-themed Drag Brunch pairs mimosas and a full meal with Midwest drag talent that knows exactly how to work a room. If you’ve never been to a drag brunch, this is your sign. If you have been, you already know: go with friends, show up early, and be ready to cheer.

10. Rainbow Run — Saturday, June 20
Hull Park + Boardman Lake Loop Trail, Traverse City
If your ideal Pride celebration includes movement, fresh air, and a little bit of color chaos, the Rainbow Run is your event. Hosted by TART Trails and Up North Pride, this annual color fun run and fundraiser celebrates Northern Michigan’s 2SLGBTQ+ community while highlighting the trail systems that connect us. Expect music and refreshments at Hull Park before and after the run. Packet pick-up/check-in: Friday, June 19, 4–7pm (Fleet Feet, downtown Traverse City); Race day: Saturday, June 20, 8am late pick-up/check-in; 9am run/walk start (Hull Park). More info: runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/TraverseCityRainbowRun

11. Pride Ride — Thursday, June 25 | 6–7pm
Meet at F&M Park in Downtown Traverse City
Want to celebrate Pride in motion without needing to train for anything? Join the Pride Ride, a spirited, all-ages community bike ride through downtown Traverse City led by Norte. Show up in your bike gear and your Pride gear, and arrive a little early to rally before the 6pm start.

12. Queer Adult Prom — Saturday, June 27 | 8pm–11:59pm
Hotel Indigo Ballroom, 263 W. Grandview Parkway, Traverse City
Some of us didn’t get the prom we deserved the first time around. Luckily, Pride Month is a great time to fix that. Queer Adult Prom is back in Traverse City, taking over the Hotel Indigo Ballroom for a night of dancing, dressing up, and reclaiming a classic rite of passage, this time with the freedom to be fully yourself. Go full glam, thrift-store fabulous, or “I just want to dance.”

For more events, visit upnorthpride.com and straitspride.org. Photo by OB&Co, courtesy of Up North Pride.

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