Your Guide to Up North Pride Week 2025

UNP is putting community and LGBTQ+ safety first

By Abby McKiernan | Sept. 20, 2025

When Adrienne Brown-Reasner looks back on the past year, one word comes to mind: resilience.

As the executive director of Up North Pride, she’s steering an organization that’s not just planning events but also carrying the weight of what it means to create safety and belonging in a tough year for LGBTQ+ rights.

“This whole year has been hyper-focused on community building,” Brown-Reasner says. “The best way for us to get through these times and feel like we have someone on our side is by reinforcing that we are here and there are many safe and inclusive spaces that welcome everyone, always.”

That’s no small task in 2025, when the laws and policies impacting LGBTQ+ communities seem to change by the week. “The hardest part has been staying up to date on legislation…especially when things are hidden into other bills or happening in the middle of the night,” Brown-Reasner says. “We’re in a state of constant change and constant unknowns. So we are just focused on creating a stable place and doing what we can do.”

And what they can do is expand presence, consistency, and support. Smaller events like line dancing nights and art nights have popped up across five counties to bring connection to outlying regions throughout this year. On top of that, Up North Pride now has a new home base thanks to SBK Property Management, who offered office and community space in the former Copy Central building on Eighth Street.

“And once we had the space, people came alongside us to donate everything we needed to fill it, right down to the carpet” Brown-Reasner says. “It has been so incredible to feel such love and kindness from everyone.”

That message of love is woven into the 2025 Pride Week schedule, which feels both familiar and refreshed. Many favorites are back, but with little twists—like Comedy Night. Instead of the usual lineup of four or five comedians, fan-favorite Kristin Key is taking over the stage for a full set. “Kristin has always been our host,” Brown-Reasner explains. “But this year she’ll be doing a full set—and we’re so excited to see her shine.”

The Sign-Making Party, already a beloved tradition, will bring even more sparkle this year with henna and fairy hair stations. And while the Sunday brunch is taking a pause, Saturday’s Open Space schedule has been expanded to pack in everything from the rally and march to a local music sensation’s (EMM) homecoming concert, a drag show, and a late-night silent disco.

As Brown-Reasner puts it, “We’ve had really wonderful partners this year who have stepped up to host events and offer support in both big and small ways that have added up. That’s what Pride is all about—showing up for each other through everything.”

And in that spirit, here’s how to show up this September:

QUEER:SAY Storytelling
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: The Alluvion
Cost: $15
Kick off Pride Week with a night of hilarious, heartfelt, and jaw-dropping stories. Queer:Say brings 2SLGBTQIA+ voices to the stage for an evening of connection, catharsis, and plenty of laughs.

Sign Making Party
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Location: The Little Fleet
Cost: Free
Paint, glitter, markers, fairy hair, henna—the works. This is your chance to get creative while gearing up for Saturday’s march. Bring your energy; supplies are provided.

Intimi Fashion Show & Dance Party
Date: Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025
Time: 7pm – 11:59pm
Location: Hotel Indigo Rooftop
Cost: Varies (see website)
Fashion and celebration meet under the stars. Watch bold looks strut the runway at the Intimi Fashion Show, then dance the night away at a rooftop party. Tickets available for one or both events.

Comedy Night
Date: Friday, Sept. 26, 2025
Time: 7pm – 10pm
Location: City Opera House
Cost: Ticketed (see website for details)
Kristin Key returns, this time with a full set of her signature humor. This Pride Week tradition is guaranteed to leave you laughing.

Visibility Rally & March + After Events
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
Time: 1pm – Late Night
Location: F&M Park and Open Space Park
Cost: Free
This is the heartbeat of Pride Week. Rally at 1pm in F&M Park, march downtown to Open Space; Resource Fair (2–6pm); Drag Show (6pm); EMM Homecoming Concert (9pm); Silent disco under the stars (10pm)

For the full schedule, volunteer opportunities, and a resource directory, visit upnorthpride.com

Photo by Lil Jes Photography, courtesy of Up North Pride