Anoka’s 2025 Pride Festival Celebrates Inclusivity In The “Halloween Capital Of The World”

Anoka’s 2025 Pride Festival Celebrates Inclusivity In the “Halloween Capital of the World”

Anoka, Minnesota — Known affectionately as the “Halloween Capital of the World,” Anoka continued to build on a new legacy of inclusivity with its second annual Pride Festival on Saturday, June 7, 2025. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3rd Avenue and Main Street in Downtown Anoka transformed into a vibrant space celebrating LGBTQ+ pride, community, and self-expression.

This year’s event, listed on the City of Anoka’s official calendar, embraced the theme: “Bring your friends, bring your family, and most importantly—bring your authentic self.” Attendees were treated to an atmosphere filled with creativity, adventure, and entertainment, echoing organizers’ vision of making Pride in Anoka a welcoming tradition for all.

Launched in 2024 as a modest, self-funded gathering, Anoka Pride began as an intimate effort to create a safe and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in a region often seen as politically conservative. The inaugural event’s success inspired organizers to return in 2025 with an even stronger sense of purpose and possibility, and talk of expanding the celebration—including the potential for a future Pride parade—continues to grow.

The city’s institutions have also shown support for inclusivity beyond festival day. Both Anoka Technical College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College offer LGBTQIA+ resources and counseling, while local nonprofit HOPE 4 Youth reports that 22% of the youth it served in 2022 identified as LGBTQ+. Their mission to support at-risk and homeless youth further underscores the importance of community-based advocacy and safe spaces.

Anoka Pride 2025 was part of a broader network of Pride Month celebrations held across Minnesota, providing a more intimate alternative to larger events like Twin Cities Pride. But for the residents of Anoka and neighboring communities, the day represented something deeply personal: a meaningful affirmation that everyone belongs.

MinneapoliMedia