Essex County, Hudson County, and New York City are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and amplifying their voices through hosting numerous events this year. From educational talks to networking mixers to parades, and flag raisings, there’s a ton happening. Keep reading to find out all the ways to celebrate Pride in the Essex County, Hudson Couty, and New York City area.
NJ Events
Montclair
Out Montclair + Planned Parenthood Spring Stir
June 2nd | 7PM
Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey will be joined by Out Montclair to kick off Pride Month with a virtual celebration of the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Other event sponsors include the Human Rights Campaign, Garden State Equality, and Hudson Pride. Keynote speaker Jodie Patterson is a nationally recognized activist and acclaimed author of The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation. Learn more here.
Montclair Town Hall Pride Flag Raising
June 4th | 3PM
The township of Montclair in partnership with Out Montclair will raise an inclusive pride flag in honor of Pride Month.
Pride Shabbat + Open Mic Concert
June 4, 7:30PM-9PM
Join the Ner Tamid Community in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride with a joyous evening of music, poetry, and community. The “Open Mic” concert will feature LGBTQ+ artists and allies, including Out Montclair President Peter Yacobellis. Each participant will need to register separately. RSVP here.
Out at Night
June 16 | 7PM
Out Montclair’s is hosting an “Out at Night” gathering to celebrate Pride at Egan & Sons. RSVP required, here.
Fleet Feet Pride Stride
June 17th | 6PM
The 3rd annual Fleet Feet Montclair Pride Stride Run + Walk is taking place in partnership with Montclair Brewery and Diadora. Funds raised and registration fees will be donated to OUT Montclair.
Luna Stage – Gay History for Straight People
June 18 | 8PM
The in-person, outdoor performance by Will Nolan and his comedic alter ego Leola guides audiences through the complexities of the “LGBTQYMCA community – everything from GAY to Z.” In addition to being named the 2020 Outstanding Cabaret Performer by BroadwayWorld, Leola has appeared across the country in fringe festivals, regional theaters, and at middle-aged birthday parties, winning the Long Island City Flying Solo Festival two years in a row. Tickets are pay-what-you-wish and available here.
RISE 1969! at Guerrilla Fitness
June 20th | 10AM
Guerrilla Fitness has always been proud of its inclusive community. It is partnering with OUT MONTCLAIR to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
Montclair Film Summer – To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar
June 26th
Presented in partnership with Out Montclair, Montclair Film Summer hosts a movie night at the Lackawanna Plaza parking lot behind TD Bank at 233 Bloomfield Avenue.
Verona
Verona Flag Raising
June 1st | 6:30PM
The Progress Pride flag raising will take place at the Verona Civic Center. The Rain date is June 3rd.
Newark
Going to Pride for Kids
Jun 22 | 5:30PM
Join Children’s Librarian Aly and LGBTQ Librarian Lena for storytime to learn about Pride Month – including: Why do we celebrate Pride? When did it start? What should kids know about going to a parade or festival with their adults?
Hoboken
In The Mix at UNJUMBOLD
June 8th | 5PM – 8PM
LGBTQ+-owned lifestyle boutique, UNJOMBOLD is hosting a pride celebration that will be hosted by Joe Mode and John Forslund, and Vincent Tropepe.
Every Woman Wellness Event
August 7th | 4PM-8PM
This event hosted at the Hoboken University Medical Center is a healthy living event for lesbian, bisexual, cis, and trans women. The event will discuss free yearly medical exams, safe sex resources, guided meditation, and have food, music, and prizes.
LGBTQ Networking Mixer
August 9th | 7PM-9PM
This social event will offer wine and cheese pairings. A$20 donation with proceeds going to Hudson Pride Center.
Foam N’ Glow Dance Party on the Pier
August 11th | 6PM-11PM
The dance party will feature live music and foam cannons. There will be a performance by Felipe Rose, a founding member of the Village People. It was hosted by drag queen Harmonica Sunbeam. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Jersey City
26th Annual Jersey City Caribbean Festival
July 24
JC Pride celebrates the 26th Annual Jersey City Caribbean Festival with an LGBTQ+ twist. There will be island-inspired music and performers.
Pride Divas Salsa Brunch
August 1st | 12PM – 3PM
The 4th Annual Pride Divas Salsa Brunch will be held at Hard Grove.
Pride Men’s Party
August 6 | 8PM – 11:30PM
Hudson Pride hosts the 4th Anniversary + Pride Men’s Party. Stay tuned for further details
Pride With Your Pup
August 7th | 2PM – 6PM
Hudson Pride hosts the 4th Annual Pride With Your Pup at Corgi Spirits at the Jersey City Distillery.
Lillian Bustle’s Rainbow Review
August 12th – 8PM – 11PM
Get into the festivities with Lillian Bustle and friends at The Rainbow Revue – Drag and Burlesque. Stay tuned for further details.
Light Up Pride Night
August 13 | 7:30PM – 10PM
Come celebrate JC Pride with Bike JC and the Jersey City LGBT Pride Festival in this special ride celebrating the 20th Anniversary Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival. Riders are encouraged to decorate and light up their bikes in honor of the festivities. Ride gathers at 7:30 and rolls at sunset.
Jersey City Pride Bar Crawl
August 15th | 6PM – 11PM
Join Hudson Pride as they visit some of their favorite downtown watering holes. Stay tuned for details.
Karaoke Pride Night
August 18th | 5PM – 10PM
Join Hudson Provide for the Pride edition of Karaoke Wednesdays at Headroom’s front bar stage. Stay tuned for further details.
Pride Drive-In Sing-Along
August 19th | 7:30PM – 10:30PM
Hudson Pride hosts a drive-in sing-along screening of Yentl at Congregation Bnai Jacob of Jersey City.
Jersey City Pride Flag Raising
August 20 | 12PM – 1PM
The township of Jersey City will raise the pride flag in honor of Pride Month.
NYC Events
NYC Pride Family Movie Night
June 17th
The return of its two annual LGBTQIA+ film events making its debut in the digital space. In partnership with Tribeca, the Pride Presents digital film festival experience that will feature trailblazing shorts, documentaries, a feature film, and a live talk back to end the evening. Also making its return this year is Family Movie Night, back with family-filled fun for all ages. For more information about NYC Pride’s 2021 roster of events including Pride Presents and Family Movie Night, see here.
Playbill Hosts Glimmer of Light Live Concert
June 17th
This coming June, Playbill will team with Cadillac and The Neon Coven to produce its first-ever live concert event in celebration of Pride 2021. Presented by Cadillac and Playbill Pride, Glimmer of Light will be an inclusive virtual and in-person concert event. One hundred percent of in-person ticket sales will go to benefit Born This Way Foundation and its mission of working with young people to build a kinder and braver world. In-person tickets for Radial Park are now available here.
NYC Pride 2021 Human Rights Conference + Rally
June 21-23
NYC Pride is hosting its fourth conference from June 21 through June 23, and the Rally on Friday, June 25. The Human Rights Conference, NYC Pride’s annual symposium of transformative changemakers in the queer community, focuses on developing new ideas and approaches to activism and community.
NYC Pride Youth Pride
June 26th
NYC Pride is excited to bring back Youth Pride, a celebration of and for LGBTQIA+ and ally teens, as a virtual gathering in 2021. For this year’s experience, NYC Pride has partnered with youth-focused LGBT centers, organizations, and programs nationwide to present the iconic annual Youth Pride virtual event. This program follows 2019’s unforgettable event at which 10,000+ LGBTQIA+ teens came together for a day of performances, appearances, activations, and dancing at Central Park’s Summerstage. Learn more here.
