Your Guide to Up North Pride Week 2023

And other LGBTQ+ events around the North

By Jillian Manning | Sept. 23, 2023

Up North Pride, a Traverse City-based nonprofit “collective of 2SLGBTQIA+ humans [and] allies looking to build a more inclusive and welcoming northern Michigan,” has made September their new go-to month for their annual Pride Week events. Here’s what’s on the schedule for the coming weeks in TC, plus other community events around the area:

Pride on the Patio

Sunday, Sept. 24, 12-4pm | MiddleCoast Brewing Company | Free
MiddleCoast Brewing will host “a day of solidarity” at their downtown TC brewery with a live DJ, dance floor, themed drinks, and fun for all ages. middlecoastbrewingco.com

Coffee Hour with Straits Pride

Monday, Sept. 25, 5:30-7:30pm | Boxwood Coffeeshop & Cafe | Free
Straits Pride, which represents Mackinac Island, Saint Ignace, Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Les Cheneaux, and the surrounding areas, hosts a coffee hour get together twice a month for LGBTQ+ community members and allies. Look forward to light refreshments, activities (like a book club!), and good conversation at Mission Point Resort’s coffee joint. straitspride.org

Dance the Rainbow

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 5:30-7pm | The Alluvion | $25
Head to The Alluvion at the Commongrounds building on Eighth Street for a performance that combines the visual and performing arts. Billed as “part TED Talk, part catwalk, part improv jam,” this one-of-a-kind event features the works of visual artist Winnie van der Rijn and painter and dancer/choreographer Peter Sparling. thealluvion.org

Pride Ride & Sign Making Party

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6-9pm | F&M Park | Free
Join the Up North Pride team at F&M park with your bike gear on Wednesday! The ride departs promptly at 6pm. Sign making for the weekend’s march will take place at The Little Fleet following the ride, and of course food trucks will be on hand with tasty treats for sale! upnorthpride.com

Pride Poolside

Thursday, Sept. 28, 6-9pm | The Delamar Traverse City | $35
This event has sold out in years past, so don’t miss out! The three-hour pool party (at the Delamar’s heated outdoor pool) is for ages 18+ and features snacks, a cash bar, and tunes from 2BaysDJs. Limited cabana purchases are available with seating and perks for groups of eight. upnorthpride.com

Comedy Night

Friday, Sept. 29, 8-9:30pm | City Opera House | $20
Catch Kristin Key, Erin Foley, and Daniel Webb on the stage of the City Opera House for a night of music and comedy. All three have appeared on popular shows and networks like NBC, Comedy Central, and more. (Parental discretion is advised.) upnorthpride.com

Visibility Rally & March

Saturday, Sept. 30, 4-6pm | F&M Park | Free
This is the biggest—and dare we say best?—Pride march in Michigan! The rally starts with keynote speakers and this year's grand marshall, RuPaul Drag Race’s Miss Congeniality, Nina West. The march starts at F&M Park and ends at the Open Space, and attendees are encouraged to wear their pride and bring their signs! upnorthpride.com

Drag Night & Silent Disco

Saturday, Sept. 30, 6-11:59pm | The Open Space | Free
Later on Saturday, directly following the Visibility March, Up North Pride will put on a show! National, regional, and local drag artists will perform at the Open Space, including Nina West and Jackie Cox. After the drag show, a silent disco—aka the type where everyone wears headphones to quietly rock the night away—will conclude the big day of celebration. upnorthpride.com

Big Gay Brunch

Sunday, Oct. 1, 11am-2pm | The Open Space | Free
The last official Up North Pride event on the calendar is the Big Gay Brunch, also held at the Open Space. Yummy brunch food and drink will be available for purchase; local nonprofits will be sharing their stories at booths in the park; and family-friendly activities and live music will make the morning fun for all ages. upnorthpride.com

Northport Pride’s Tea Dance 3.0, featuring MarciaX3

Sunday, Oct. 1, 2-6pm | Willowbrook Mill | $30
But wait, there’s more! Head north for the afternoon to Northport for Northport Pride’s Tea Dance 3.0, featuring MarciaX3 from season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The event is cohosted by the Michael Chetcuti Foundation, which produces events that promote visibility, awareness, and inclusion for the LGBTQ community, and will have music by DJ Jace. mynorthtickets.com

 Photo by Lil Jes Photogtaphy