Up North Pride Week Returns September 23 - 27th!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Traverse City, MI - Up North Pride is excited for the return of the annual Pride Week Celebrations, September 23 - 27th throughout Traverse City. The week includes returning favorites as well as some new exciting elements. 

“This week has become a series of events that the community looks forward to every year!” says Adrienne Brown-Reasner, Up North Pride Executive Director. “We celebrate Pride all year long, but this week is really special.” 

The week-long series of events includes storytelling, a fashion show, comedy night, visibility rally and march through downtown Traverse City, dancing, music, and opportunities to connect with resources and service providers that support the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Michigan. 

Pride Week Event Schedule: 

Queer:Say

Tuesday, September 23rd
7 pm @ The Alluvion
Ticketed event | $15
Parental Discretion Advised
Event Partners: Here:Say Storytelling & The Alluvion

Sponsored by Grocers Daughter Chocolate

Queer:Say is a live storytelling show where we can reconnect through the hilarious, heartfelt, and sometimes horrifying stories that tell life’s many truths. This special edition of Here:Say Storytelling, paired with Up North Pride, will feature storytellers from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Proceeds from this event will support Up North Pride and Here:Say Storytelling.

Sign Making Party
Wednesday, September 24th
7 pm @ The Little Fleet
Free | All Ages

Event Partners: Idea Farm and The Little Fleet

Join us at The Little Fleet for our annual Sign Making Party. The Sign Making Party is your chance to make a statement and prepare for the Pride Visibility March on Saturday. Free admission, all ages are welcome. 

The Intimi Affair & Disco Party
Thursday, September 25th
6:30 pm | @ H&L Social (Hotel Indigo Rooftop)
Tickets $40 for Fashion Show, $20 for Disco Party, $60 for both events| 

Must be 18 years of age or older to attend
Event Sponsors: Intimi TC and Hotel Indigo 

Lingerie, lounging, and a little bit of lust….Get ready to recline, revel, and raise a brow at our unapologetically inclusive lingerie fashion show — where the only thing more scandalous than the outfits might be the faces you see on the runway! Before the fashion show starts, enjoy the complimentary activities while you strut around, including Glamour Shots with Viking Sister Photography, Glitter Freckle Station with Initmi, and Live Temporary Tattoo Drawings with AI Allegedly Tattoo. Then we dim the lights and dial up the disco — because nothing says "intimate evening" like sweating glitter ’til sunrise. Snacks and nibbles provided throughout the evening. Cash bar featuring signature Intimi drinks created by Gypsy. Tickets on sale now!

Comedy Night
Friday, September 26th
8 pm - 9:30 pm @ The City Opera House
Tickets $20 - $35 | Available now at City Opera House Box OFfice

Parental Discretion Advised
Event Sponsors: Higher Grounds Trading Co

Join us for Up North Pride's fifth annual Comedy Night featuring Kristin Key and special guest Nicole Melnyk! Don't miss out on this fantastic night of comedy. Doors open at 7:00 pm, and the show kicks off at 8:00 pm.

Visibility Rally and March
Saturday, September 27th
12:00 pm @ F&M Park
Free admission | All ages
Event Sponsors: Fierberg National Law Group & The Little Fleet

Join us for the largest participant-driven 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride March in Michigan beginning at F&M Park and proudly walking through downtown to The Open Space. The rally starts at noon with keynote speakers and our Grand Marshall! The march will follow the kickoff speeches and is free and open to everyone.

Insider Tips:

- The march ends at Open Space. If you're planning on staying for Drag Night and the Silent Disco, you may want to plan for transportation close to the bay.

- Wear your pride! This is the time to celebrate our individuality. Marchers often bring flags and signs to show their pride!

- We will line up for the march immediately after the Rally Speakers are finished, plan to be to F&M Park no later than 12:45 to be sure you are there for step off! !

- The Open Space will have a clear bag policy. Please visit our website for more details.

Resource Fair

Saturday, September 27th
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Free admission | All ages
Event Sponsors: Huntington Bank, Priority Health, Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

The Open Space will be lined with area non-profits, service providers, and other area organizations that provide resources, support, and inclusive programs and spaces for the Northern Michigan LGBTQ+ Community. 

Please note, the Open Space will have a clear bag policy. Visit upnorthpride.com for more information.

Drag Night & EMM Concert    
Saturday, September 27th
Show Begins: 6:00 pm
Free admission | All ages, Parental discretion advised
Event Sponsors: The Begonia Charitable Foundation, Gilead, and ViiV Healthcare, Traverse City Tourism

Join us at the Open Space Saturday night for an evening full of musical entertainment!! Come and support local drag artists at Drag Night,  hosted by local drag king and fan favorite, Ben Eaton. And new this year, we are thrilled to welcome EMM as our headliner performer for our first Pride Concert starting at 9 PM! 

Refreshments and food will be available for purchase on-site. Come dressed in Pride gear, drag, or any gender expression you’re vibing with that night. Free admission. Parental guidance is advised.

Silent Disco
Saturday, September 27th
10 pm - Midnight @ The Open Space
Free admission | All ages, Parental discretion advised
Event Sponsors: Fox and Fern Events, Gilead, ViiV Healthcare 

The party continues with the iconic Silent Disco under the stars. Attendees will be given headphones specially designed to keep the party going after hours. Our friends at 2Bays Productions will be hosting the tunes till midnight! 

For more information about Up North Pride, community events, volunteering, and sponsorship opportunities visit upnorthpride.com. 

Up North Pride’s mission is to foster inclusive spaces that provide education, inspire activism, and celebrate community through the production of 2SLGBTQ+ events in Northern Michigan. Up North Pride is the organizer of Up North Pride Week, Traverse City’s official 2SLGBTQIA+ annual Pride Celebration.

Up North Pride can be reached online at 

upnorthpride.com/events, on Facebook and 

Instagram at @upnorthpride, and by email at info@upnorthpride.com