Minnesota Youth Pride

Youth Pride is a free event for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13-22. This is an event for young people to feel celebrated and strengthen connections to their community. Youth Pride has a little bit of everything; resources from local organizations serving queer youth, activities and games, performances by amazing entertainers, food from local businesses, photo-booths, and more! 

Join us on Thursday May 28th 2026 for Youth Pride 2026. It will be held at the Como Midway Picnic Pavilion Park (1199 Midway Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55103). Please note that this event is no longer held on the first weekend in June as it has been in the past!

Youth Pride 2025

 

Volunteer for Minnesota Youth Pride

Youth Pride is coordinated by a team of people who work for many different LGBTQIA+ youth serving organizations in Minnesota.

Volunteers are needed to help coordinate the event, help with set up/tear down, assist with food and other offerings, and participate as vendors representing their organizations.

You will be able to find volunteer registration information here closer to the 2026 event. Please check out our other events for volunteer opportunities as well.

Thank you to our 2024 Youth Pride Sponsors

The History of Minnesota Youth Pride

Youth Pride has been an event for over 20 years! The event was founded by community organizers in 1998 as “Gay Day in the Park” which was established as a way for high school Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) to meet one another, grow, and build connections in the park. The event began with some youth workers, donated pizzas, and yard games for about 100 kids in the park, and has grown more and more each year!

MNSOC took on the organizing of this event around 2010, and Youth Pride had its largest turnout in 2023 with nearly 500 youth joining to celebrate their pride. With St Paul Parks and Rec joining MNSOC, the coalition was able to take one of our events to St Paul.

Over the years we have worked with many great vendors who provide resources to young people in the Twin Cities who have stuck with us through many iterations of MNSOC.

Frequently Asked Questions About Queer Youth Pride

  • Youth Pride is geared towards LGBTQIA+ youth. Many of the organizations present serve youth ages 12-24.

  • We are excited to be holding Youth Pride at the Como Park East Picnic Pavilions in Saint Paul!

  • Youth Pride will be held on Thursday May 28th, 2026 from 4-7pm

  • You can volunteer! Stay tuned for more information about how to volunteer for our next Youth Pride in June 2026. We are always looking for volunteers to help out at our other events throughout the year, too.

  • Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to let the young people lead their time at Youth Pride. We recognize that some young people are independent, and some still feel most comfortable with a trusted adult with them.

  • Youth Pride will include activities and games in the park, food from local businesses, entertainment from local LGBTQ+ DJs and performers from amazing entertainers, resources from local LGBTQ+ serving organizations, photo-booths, and more!