With its inaugural event last year, local non-profit Out Montclair is hosting its second annual Montclair Pride Festival + concert on Saturday, June 11th, 2023. But it’s not just a one-day event to celebrate our amazing LGBTQ+ community and its allies — it’s a full celebration for the next few weeks. The Montclair Girl is proud to be an Empower sponsor for this year’s festival. Keep reading for the full lineup of Pride events leading up to the second annual Montclair Pride festival happening this June 2023 in Montclair.
The 2023 Events
The list of events is constantly being updated. Check Out Montclair’s website as the festival gets closer for the most up-to-date information.
Thursday, June 1st — Montclair Pride Kick-Off at the Montclair Art Museum
A night of fun musical programming in partnership with Montclair Art Museum to celebrate the Montclair Pride Week of events from 5PM to 9PM. This event will celebrate queer artists, musicians, DJs, dancers, and guests. Learn more here.
Read More: The 1st Ever Montclair Pride Festival: See Photos
Friday, June 2nd — Pride Ride
A brand-new event hosted in partnership with Bike + Walk Montclair including a picnic in the park featuring local food vendors like Cafe Moso + Caribbean Touch, a bike ride that starts and ends at Canterbury Park, music, games, and treats from local spots like Guerriero Gelato, Stuff by SJ, and more from 6PM to 8:30PM. Learn more here.
Saturday, June 3rd + Sunday June 4th — Montclair Pride Workout Weekend
Join participating gyms all across the Montclair area to get you primed and pumped for the Montclair Pride Festival. Learn more here.
Sunday, June 4th — Declan McKenna in Concert With Special Guests Oracle Sisters
Declan McKenna has penned anthems that address LGBTQ representation in the media, trans rights, social hierarchy, and more with his catchy indie-rock jams. This event will be held at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair from 7PM to 10:30PM. Learn more here.
Monday, June 5th — Pride Drag Show
The Montclair Drag Variety show will feature fierce and fabulous drag stars who will wow and entertain you, and is hosted by Harmonica Sunbeam. This event will be held at Vanguard Theater Company in Montclair from 6:30PM to 10PM. Learn more here.
Tuesday, June 6th — Doughnuts + Drag
Decorate a doughnut and choose from a bar of toppings to dress it up with local drag stars at Rabble Rise Doughnuts in Montclair, followed by a mini family-friendly drag show. from 6PM-8PM. Learn more here.
Wednesday, June 7th — Big Pride Run
This run, which will be held from 6PM-9PM, is presented in partnership with Montclair Brewery and Feet Fleet Montclair, and will start and end at Montclair Brewery. Learn more here.
Thursday, June 8th — Pride Reception
A moment of connection and reflection amidst the exuberance of the Montclair Pride “Week” of Events. This special event is a chance to thank sponsors, donors, and advocates. The Pride Reception fundraiser contributes to Montclair Pride and helps secure Out Montclair’s ability to provide year-round programming to the greater Montclair area, including dedicated programs for LGBTQIA+ youth, seniors, and families in addition to special, dedicated programming for transgender and gender non-conforming families. This event will be held at Porta Montclair from 6PM-10PM. Learn more here.
Friday, June 9th — Pride Rally + Flag Raising
A rally and flag-raising at Watchung Plaza in Montclair as a declaration that Montclair can be the place we dream it should be. Learn more here.
Saturday, June 11th — Montclair Pride Festival
Enjoy three stages of live entertainment from 12PM-6PM, and a street dance party from 6PM-8PM. Learn more and see who will be making an appearance at each stage here.
The Montclair Girl is excited to be a sponsor at Out Montclair’s Pride Festival for the 2nd time!
About Out Montclair + Last Year’s Festival
Out Montclair was founded in 2021 as a non-profit organization to support and provide solidarity for LGBTQIA+ individuals in and around Montclair. The organization hosts events to bring the community together and provide safe spaces to find friendship, camaraderie, and resources for people of all ages. Reflecting the community of creative, compassionate, and fun-loving LGBTQIA+ individuals who live in and around Montclair, this volunteer-run organization places a special focus on programs specifically designed for teens, 21+, families, and 50+.
“We bring together people who understand and embrace the importance of community, who are of the diverse LGBTQIA+ community, and our allies who are drawn to Montclair as a place of uncommon acceptance, unity, creativity, and joy,” Barbara Simon, the Director of Communications at Out Montclair, shared with The Montclair Girl. “We offer educational and charitable activities + events to promote inclusivity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary, and gender-fluid youth + adults.”
Out Montclair has had considerable support from the get-go when it first launched in 2021. Montclair Councilman Peter Yacobellis acts as the President of Out Montclair and is the first openly LGBTQ+ elected official in the town, as one of two at-large Council Members.
Out Montclair describes the community as steeped with talent in the creative arts, communications, culture, business, and community-building. This organization provides a unifying organization to bring out the creative and committed community members to design events and create space for learning and understanding for non-LGBTQIA+ individuals.
See More: LGBTQ-Owned Businesses to Support in Hudson County
The first-ever Montclair Pride Festival was held on Saturday, June 11th, 2022 in Downtown Montclair. It had an impressive turnout, with nearly 100 vendors and sponsors from Montclair and the surrounding areas, and drew an estimated crowd of about 15,000 attendees. Local restaurants + businesses showcased delicious food and locally-made products in booths for festival-goers to enjoy.
Stay updated with Out Montclair and the Montclair Pride Festival here, as well as on Instagram. If you are interested in being a sponsor or vendor at Pride, click here, if you are interested in volunteering at the festival, click here, and if you want to become an Out Montclair donor, click here.
