2022 N.J. Pride Month: A guide to events across the state – Jersey’s Best

June is Pride Month, and celebrations are kicking off in cities and towns across New Jersey. The events recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ people and highlight their work to ensure equality for all. Enjoy this roundup of noteworthy events to attend in all regions: north, central and south.

Atlantic County

Atlantic City — Fri., June 17 at 8 p.m. to closing

2022 AC Pride Ball: AC is Burning. The houses are ready, and the categories are set. Its the fiercest competition for Pride Week in Atlantic City, held at Anchor Rock Club (247 S. New York Ave.).

Bergen County

Glen Rock — Sat., June 4 at noon

Pride in the Park will be held at Wilde Memorial Park (683 Maple Ave.). A flag raising ceremony will be held at noon. Festivities including rock art, temporary tattoos, face painting and live music will happen from 1 to 3 p.m.

Leonia — Sun., June 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Listen to speakers and entertainment and enjoy a biergarten at Wood Park (370 Broad Ave.).

Mahwah — Sun., June 12 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Mahwah Pride Coalition will present the 2nd Mahwah Pride Celebration & Art Show. The theme is “Love Will Bring Us Together!” celebrating with inspirational speakers, live entertainment, an art show and information booths. The main celebration will be at the Commodore Perry field (70 East Ramapo Ave.).

Ramsey — Sat., June 4 at 5 p.m.

Ramsey’s 4th annual LGBTQ Pride Ceremony will take place on the Ramsey High School lawn (256 E. Main St.) with speakers, live music and food trucks. Bring a lawn chair and join in.

Tenafly — Wed., June 1 at 3:30 p.m.

Join Tenafly Pride for a flag raising in Huyler Park at 1 Piermont Road. The town will also have a “Say Gay Day” on Sat., June 11 with a parade beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the corner of George Street and West Clinton Avenue. The event will continue at Huyler Park with speakers, music and community partners.

Burlington County

Burlington — Sat. June 4 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Enjoy a Drag Queen Show: Pride Edition at Chrisie Styles BoutiQue at 23 East Broad St., Suite 1. Tickets are required and can be purchased here.

Camden County

Collingswood — Mon., June 20 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The lawn at Scottish Rite Auditorium (315 White Horse Pike) is the site of the Collingswood Pride Family Picnic. Enjoy an evening of fun featuring Drag Queen Story Hour with Philadelphia’s favorite drag queen, Brittany Lynn of Drag Queen Mafia. Get creative and paint the flag that represents you at the crafts table. Play some games and enjoy live music by DJ Lilly and enjoy the Teen Poetry Slam. Dress in your best pride gear and participate in the Pride Picnic Blanket Decorating Contest to win prizes. Bring family, snacks and blankets. Local restaurants will be offering “Picnic Packages” for pick up.

Haddon Township — Thurs., June 9 from 6 to 10 p.m.

The Haddon Township parade will proceed down Haddon Avenue from Crystal Lake Avenue to Strawbridge Avenue. Participants will move continuously and perform along the parade route. Bring water, chairs and signs of support.

Merchantville — Sat., June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The inaugural Pride at Peak will be a fashion celebration on the street to kick off Pride Month. It will happen outside Peak Secondhand on 105 Centre St. The free event will feature appearances from Philly Drag Mafia’s comedy queen, Dominique Lee, and the sassy Miss Redd. Expect a variety of vendors, performances from local musician, Garnet Daze, a Freddie Mercury impersonator and face painting for the kids. The event will culminate with a fashion show hosted by comedian, Dan Vetrano, that will star local fashionistas, and possibly even a town mayor on the runway.

Cape May County

Middle Township — Sat., June 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Johanna’s Beauty will be hosting a free photoshoot for photographers and models of the LGBTQ+ community to work together. The event will take place on Cooks Beach Road, and rainbow powder will be provided. All outfits are welcome.

Cumberland County

No upcoming events.

Essex County

South Orange — Fri., June 3 from 7 to 11:30 p.m.

North Jersey Pride presents the Say Gay Soiree. You’ll have an evening of dining, dancing and debauchery at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club (305 North Ridgewood Road). Enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations, a full open bar and specialty drinks, and dancing. You’ll have access to the club and outdoor patios, too. Get your tickets here.

Maplewood — Sun., June 12 from Noon to 6 p.m.

Now in its 11th year, the North Jersey Pride Festival is a family-friendly celebration of love, respect and unity at Memorial Park (580 Valley St.). This year will be the biggest celebration yet for the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Admission is free to this all-day community celebration. Enjoy a show featuring local and national talent where all material is family-friendly. More than 100 merchant vendors will be selling jewelry, art, crafts, clothing and, of course, plenty of rainbow gear. You’ll also be able to learn more about the nonprofits that advocate on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Sample cuisine from local culinary artisans. Kids can also enjoy the Rainbow Kids Zone, an area with inflatables for toddlers, obstacle courses for older kids and slides for everyone. The interactive Kids Stage features a new show every hour on the hour. Come with a blanket or some beach chairs for a day of fun, family and celebration.

Montclair — Sat., June 11 from noon to 6 p.m.

Montclair’s newest festival, Pride 2022, is going all out. Downtown Montclair will have stages on Bloomfield Avenue and Park Street with all-day music, comedy, performances by local talent and speeches on LGBTQ+ equality. An evening concert at the Wellmont features Jordy and Fab The Duo as well as Betty Who. Admission to the events is free; a ticket is needed for the evening concert. You can purchase them here.

Gloucester County

Pitman — Tues., June 7 at 7 p.m.

There will be a drag show to support the Pride Alliance of Pitman at VFW Post 6469 (42 Oakcrest Ave.). Advance tickets are available here. The Pride Alliance also will present a Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m. on Sat., June 11, at the First Baptist Church of Pitman (30 North Broadway; registration is $25), followed by the Pride in Pitman Celebration at the church until 1 p.m. Visit facebook.com/PrideAllianceofPitman for more information.

Hudson County

Hoboken — Thurs., June 2 at 7 p.m.

The Hoboken Historical Museum is kicking off events when Randy Wicker, famed Gay Rights activist for more than 50 years, joins the museum’s month of LGBTQ+ programming celebrating Pride with Hoboken Talks. This is one in a series of events; to learn more, click here.

Jersey City — Thurs., June 2 from 5 to 9 p.m.

The NJ Pride Chamber of Commerce is holding Pride Month Kickoff Extravaganza at the Hyatt Regency (2 Exchange Place). It will include hors d’oeuvres, free signature cocktails (provided by Saint Luna Spirits) and discounted cocktails (provided by Tito’s). The entertainment will be numbers performed by RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 contestant and New Jersey native, Liv Lux Miyake-Mugler; hosting and performances by Saturday Night Live Crooner and Robert Bannon; and music entertainment by DJ Mike Cruz. A VIP reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. To register and learn more, click here.

Hunterdon County

Flemington — Sat. June 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy a DJ, dancing, treats, games and giveaways at this Pride Dance Party. Grab a drink at the beer garden under the Filling Station tent (50 Stangl Road; all adults must show ID). Pick up dinner from a local restaurant and bring chairs.

Mercer County

Robbinsville — Sat., June 4 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The second annual Robbinsville Pride will be held at PJ’s Pancake House & Tavern (17 Main St.). This year’s event will include speakers from Robbinsville High School’s Genders and Sexualities Alliance. It will be followed by music, celebration and food and beverages. All ages are welcome, but you must be 21 or older to drink.

Trenton — Thurs., June 9 at 6 p.m.

Trenton Thunder Pride Night returns to the Trenton Thunder Ballpark (1 Thunder Road) with a pre-game happy hour and post-game fireworks. For tickets ($12) and more information, click here. For discounted $10 tickets through the New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce, click here.

Middlesex County

Edison — Sat., June 4, from noon to 7 p.m.

Hit up 926 Amboy Ave. for a day of fun. Munch on food from Cousins Maine Lobster Truck. The Wag performs 2 to 5 p.m. Enjoy performances by drag performers and a guest speaker from Garden State Equality.

Monmouth County

Asbury Park — Sun., June 5 from noon to 7 p.m.

After delays due to COVID, New Jersey’s 30th annual Statewide LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration will be held in-person. It is the largest and oldest LGBTQ pride celebration in the state, with attendance under normal circumstances over 20,000. The parade starts at noon. Spectators can see floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands and marchers. Against a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and boardwalk, national headliners and local artists will share the rally stage for a six-hour outdoor concert. And the Pride Festival is a family- and pet-friendly event featuring the state’s largest outdoor display of the Names Project’s AIDS Memorial Quilt, rides in the Family Zone and a food court. A $15 admission fee gives you access to both the festival grounds and the rally/entertainment. The event takes place at Ocean and Sunset avenues.

Red Bank — Sat., June 11 from noon to 4 p.m.

Join the 3rd annual Pride in the Park. Enjoy vendors, giveaways, live music and dance, kids activities and more. This free event takes place in Riverside Gardens Park (40 West Front St.).

Morris County

Boonton — Sat., June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The day will begin with a presentation with the mayor at town hall (100 Washington St.). Afterward, they encourage people to walk up Main Street using the sidewalks and pick up lunch or a Pride Plate Special from a place in town. End your walk at Grace Lord Park (Essex Avenue and Main Street), where you can picnic with your family, participate in an interactive art exhibit, and listen to music and speakers.

Pequannock — Sat., June 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy a free day of music, food and fun at Greenview Park (9 Robert Place). Enjoy food trucks from Johnny’s and Mozzarella God. They’ll have informational booths from the Pequannock Library, The Little Free Library and more. Children’s activities are presented by the Scribble Garden and Melody Mom.

Randolph — Sat., June 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Morris County Pride is holding a free, family-friendly event at County College of Morris (214 Center Grove Road). It’s a fun day of celebration and connects the community to health, education and employment resources.

Ocean County

Toms River — Sat., June 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the 4th annual Pride Festival, hang out on Washington Street in Toms River to play games, picnic and visit local vendors and food trucks. Enjoy free, outdoor, mainstage performances by The Golden Gays, Izzy Uncut and more. Join the free drum circle from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Exit 82 Studio Theatre (73 Main St.). Catch a drag show at Exit 82 Studio Theatre at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.

Passaic County

No upcoming events.

Salem County

No upcoming events.

Somerset County

No upcoming events.

Sussex County

Newton — Sun., June 12 at noon

Visit the Newton Green (Spring and Main streets) for a Sussex County Pride Event. The event will have vendors, live music, drag performers, a DJ, food pantry collection and voter registration.

Union County

Kenilworth — Wed., June 1 at 5 p.m.

In honor and to commemorate June as Pride month in Kenilworth, the second annual flag raising ceremony will be held right in front of Borough Hall (567 Boulevard).

Summit — Sat., June 4 at 6 p.m.

The Summit Department of Community Programs is hosting its annual LGBTQ+ Pride month event, “Summit Has Pride,” on the Village Green (356 Broad St.). The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a concert. At 7:30 p.m., a local drag queen will present a family-friendly drag performance. The event concludes at dusk with the showing of a film.

Warren County

Blairstown — Sat., June 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Blairstown will be hosting its second annual Pride Day celebration at Footbridge Park (Footbridge Lane).

* Events and times subject to change

Stacey Feintuch is a freelance writer for print and online publications. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from George Washington University and a master’s in magazine journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She grew up in Morris County and currently lives in Bergen County.