June has become far more than a single month of celebration across New Jersey. It has evolved into a statewide cultural movement that brings together communities, businesses, artists, performers, athletes, restaurants, wineries, breweries, nonprofit organizations, and families in a series of events that stretch from North Jersey to Cape May and continue well into late summer. What was once concentrated in a handful of cities has grown into one of the most diverse and expansive collections of Pride celebrations anywhere in the region, demonstrating how deeply these events have become woven into the cultural and economic fabric of the Garden State.
This year’s Pride calendar showcases the remarkable breadth of that growth. Large-scale festivals, intimate community gatherings, winery events, athletic competitions, nightlife experiences, family-friendly activities, boardwalk celebrations, and arts-focused programming are drawing thousands of participants to communities throughout New Jersey. Collectively, these events represent one of the state’s most significant annual cultural celebrations, generating tourism, supporting local businesses, and creating opportunities for meaningful community engagement.
One of the largest and most anticipated events on the calendar is Montclair Pride, taking place on June 13 at Lackawanna Plaza. The festival has developed into a major destination event, featuring more than one hundred food vendors, craft exhibitors, artists, community organizations, and live entertainment acts. The event transforms the area into a vibrant gathering place where residents and visitors can explore local businesses, enjoy performances, connect with advocacy groups, and experience the energy that has helped establish Montclair as one of New Jersey’s most active cultural communities.
That same day, Toms River will host its 8th Annual Pride Festival on Main Street, a celebration that continues to expand in both size and significance. Featuring more than 120 vendors, live performances, food offerings, shopping opportunities, community resources, and arts programming, the event has become one of Ocean County’s signature annual gatherings. Organizers expect attendance to once again reach thousands of visitors throughout the day as the festival brings together local residents, families, businesses, and visitors from across the region. The event’s continued growth reflects the increasing demand for community-centered Pride celebrations that are both welcoming and accessible.
June 13 also marks the return of Collingswood Pride at Pocket Park. While smaller in scale than some of the state’s largest festivals, Collingswood’s celebration highlights the importance of local community engagement. The event creates opportunities for neighborhood organizations, artists, businesses, and residents to come together in a setting that emphasizes connection, visibility, and community pride.
The following day, Summit Has Pride returns to the Village Green with a full schedule of activities designed to engage visitors of all ages. Live music performances, community resource tables, arts programming, and local organizations combine to create an event that reflects the growing role Pride celebrations play in fostering civic engagement and community participation throughout New Jersey.
As the month progresses, Atlantic City enters the spotlight with the Great Pride Festival on June 20 at O’Donnell Memorial Park. Atlantic City’s unique combination of entertainment, tourism, hospitality, and nightlife makes it a natural setting for a major Pride celebration. The festival’s blend of live entertainment, food vendors, community organizations, and public programming continues to attract visitors from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region while supporting the city’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a year-round destination for cultural events and festivals.
Downtown Somerville joins the statewide celebration on June 25 with a Pride Festival that takes full advantage of the borough’s thriving downtown district. Interactive art experiences, local business participation, shopping promotions, performances, and community activities create a dynamic event that highlights the connection between Pride celebrations and the economic vitality of New Jersey’s downtown business communities.
The final weekend of June belongs in part to Gloucester Township, where a three-day Pride Festival at Harmony Hall from June 26 through June 28 expands the traditional festival format into a multi-day cultural experience. Film screenings, visual arts programming, local performers, family-oriented activities, and community discussions provide attendees with a diverse range of opportunities to participate while reinforcing the festival’s commitment to both celebration and education.
While large festivals remain a cornerstone of Pride Month, New Jersey’s Pride calendar continues to evolve through creative partnerships with businesses, wineries, breweries, and entertainment venues. One of the most unique examples this year is Bellview Winery’s Drag Quizzo event on June 12 in Landisville. Hosted by Vinchelle and Ophelia Bawdy, the event combines themed trivia, live performances, and Bellview’s award-winning wines in a setting that reflects the growing connection between Pride programming and New Jersey’s thriving wine industry. Events like these have become increasingly important as wineries throughout the state expand their roles as community gathering spaces and cultural destinations.
Similarly, the Pitman Pride Beer Garden demonstrates how local craft beverage culture has become integrated into community celebrations. Featuring regional craft beer selections, live music, and festival activities, the Beer Garden creates an environment where visitors can experience the best of local brewing while participating in one of South Jersey’s most anticipated Pride events.
Athletics and wellness have also become important components of Pride celebrations throughout New Jersey. The Pitman Rainbow Fun Run, scheduled for the morning of June 13, brings participants together for a community-focused 5K that combines fitness, visibility, and celebration. Events like the Rainbow Fun Run reflect the increasing emphasis on health, wellness, and active lifestyles within Pride programming while providing another avenue for community participation.
Sports fans will have their own opportunity to celebrate later in the month during Mets Pride Night on June 26 at Citi Field. The matchup between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies is expected to draw fans from throughout New Jersey and the metropolitan area. Events like Pride Night continue demonstrating how professional sports organizations are incorporating community-focused programming into their schedules while creating opportunities for fans from diverse backgrounds to come together around a shared love of the game.
Dress in Your 1970s Best and Get Ready to Ride the Groove Train! All aboard the Groove Train! We’ve Got Soul: A Tribute to Soul Train is pulling into The Grand Theatre for a special two-night engagement you won’t want to miss.
This Juneteenth, The Grand Theatre comes alive with an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, dance, and soul. Inspired by the iconic television phenomenon that helped define a generation, We’ve Got Soul captures the energy, style, and spirit of the legendary Soul Train era, bringing audiences a night filled with timeless hits, electrifying performances, and nonstop feel-good vibes.
To make the experience even more fun, guests are encouraged to embrace the era and arrive in their finest 1970s-inspired fashion. Dust off those bell bottoms, platform shoes, sequined outfits, wide-collar shirts, colorful prints, and disco-ready looks. Whether you’re channeling classic Soul Train dancers or creating your own retro style, this is your chance to be part of the show and celebrate one of music’s most vibrant decades.
Come ready to sing, dance, and relive the magic of an era that continues to inspire generations. The Groove Train is leaving the station—don’t miss your chance to climb aboard!
The Jersey Shore remains one of New Jersey’s most iconic destinations, and Pride celebrations continue to flourish along the coast. Ocean City’s Boardwalk Parade on June 27 offers one of the most visually distinctive events of the season, combining a morning march along one of the state’s most recognizable boardwalks with additional festivities that continue into the evening. The event showcases how Pride celebrations have become an important part of New Jersey’s tourism landscape while bringing visitors into local businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
In Sussex County, the Sussex Pride Night Market adds another unique dimension to the state’s Pride calendar. Hosted at the Sussex Fairgrounds by Lunar Faire, the event combines artisan vendors, performers, artists, creators, and community organizations within a vibrant nighttime festival atmosphere. The Night Market highlights the growing diversity of Pride programming across New Jersey, demonstrating that celebrations can take many forms while still fostering inclusion and community engagement.
As thousands of residents and visitors prepare to participate in this year’s events, one thing is clear: New Jersey’s Pride season has become one of the state’s most significant annual cultural traditions. The festivals, performances, athletic events, markets, community gatherings, and celebrations taking place throughout the summer demonstrate not only the continued growth of Pride throughout the Garden State but also the power of communities coming together to celebrate inclusion, creativity, culture, and connection.
