The Cook County Pride Committee is proud to announce the return of Cook County Pride, taking place June 12–14, 2026, with a full weekend of community events, arts, wellness activities, live entertainment, advocacy gatherings, and the annual Pride Rally and March in downtown Grand Marais.

The 2026 theme, “Pride is Protest,” reflects the event’s continued focus on visibility, community connection, inclusion, and collective action. The weekend will bring together residents, visitors, families, allies, and LGBTQ+ community members from across the region for a celebration centered around both joy and advocacy.

Festivities begin Friday, June 12, with a community happy hour at Lady Superior N/A Bottle Shop followed by an LGBTQ+ and Friends Country Western Dance Night at the Cook County Community Center Log Cabin Building. The evening will feature beginner two-step and line dance lessons, free dancing, and opportunities for attendees to connect in a welcoming environment.

Saturday’s events will take place throughout downtown Grand Marais and Harbor Park, beginning with free yoga led by Consciously Carly. The day will include arts and crafts activities, social gatherings, a writing session with author Brian Malloy, and a networking event for justice advocates. Family-friendly programming includes a Drag Story Performance presented by Drag Story Hour MN.

The celebration continues with community dancing, singing, and music-making before culminating in the annual Pride Rally and March through downtown Grand Marais. Following the march, attendees are invited to gather for a free community dinner provided by Double D’s Catering and Angry Trout Cafe. The evening concludes with a DJ Dance Party at Up Yonder.

Sunday’s programming will include a community church service hosted by First Congregational Church at Harbor Park.

“As in past years, Cook County Pride is about creating space for community, celebration, visibility, and connection,” said the Cook County Pride Committee. “We are excited to welcome people from across the North Shore and beyond to gather together for a meaningful and joyful weekend.”

In the event of poor weather, Harbor Park activities will be relocated to the Cook County YMCA.

Cook County Pride has grown into one of the North Shore’s signature community events, featuring opportunities for education, wellness, creativity, advocacy, and celebration while highlighting the welcoming spirit of Cook County.

For a full schedule of events and additional information, visit www.cookcountypride.org

About Visit Cook County 

Visit Cook County encompasses the northeastern Minnesota communities of Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder, Grand Marais, the Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage, commonly referred to as “the Arrowhead” and the “North Shore of Lake Superior”.  Grand Marais, Minn., has earned several national accolades -- most recently it was named America’s Best Small Lake Town by Travel & Leisure Magazine, USA Today’s Best Midwestern Small Town, Outside Magazine’s The 16 Best Places to Live in the U.S. 2016, and Budget Travel’s 2015 Coolest Small Town in America. Rekindle your sense of adventure by exploring the Superior National Forest or paddling through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Discover what makes the communities of Cook County, Minn. “Naturally Unforgettable.” Connect on social media using #donorthmn, Twitter @CookCoVisitors, Facebook, or Instagram @donorthmn. Learn more at www.visitcookcounty.com.