Pride Month, celebrated in June, honors the LGBTQ+ community. The Jersey Shore is home to many organizations that aim to provide support and a safe haven for LGBTQ+ individuals. Alongside small businesses at the Jersey Shore, such organizations are hosting parades, festivals, and themed nights in beloved oceanside towns to celebrate the LGBTQ+ members of the Garden State. Keep reading to learn more about how to celebrate Pride at the Jersey Shore.

Atlantic City Pride Bar Crawl | Atlantic City, New Jersey

The Atlantic City Pride Bar Crawl is on June 21st. The bar crawl takes place from 4PM until 10PM. As of this writing, the AC Pride Bar Crawl includes access to four venues, two to three drinks or shots, food/drink specials, and access to a photographer/videographer. Pub Crawls asks participants to check in between 4PM and 8PM at the location listed on the ticket to receive a wristband, which will provide access to the bars selected for the crawl.

Atlantic County Pride in the Park | 109 NJ-50, Mays Landing

The Atlantic County Pride in the Park is at War Memorial Park in Mays Landing. The event takes place on June 21st from 11AM until 3PM. Atlantic County Pride in the Park is a family-friendly celebration of Pride Month featuring activities like face painting, balloon art, crafts, food trucks, vendors, and community resources.

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Barnegat Pride Festival | 382 North Main Street, Barnegat

Barnegat Pride's first annual festival is happening on May 31st. From 12PM until 5PM, attendees can expect a day of celebrating one's true colors with fun vendors, live entertainment, food trucks, and a kids' zone. To help Barnegat Pride understand its potential turnout, RSVP here. FYI: There is a $5 suggested donation and the opening ceremony begins at 11:30AM.

Beach Bonfire + Live Music @ North End | Seaside Heights Beach, Seaside Heights

The Beach Bonfire + Live Music event is part of Seaside Pride 2025, a three-day program of Pride-themed activities in and around Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. Seaside Heights Borough hosts this beach-themed LGBTQ+ event at the North End of Seaside Heights Beach. The beach bonfire and live music are happening from 7PM until 10PM on Saturday, June 21st.

BlueClaws Pride Night | 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood

Photo Credit: Blue Claws

The Blue Claws are a local Jersey Shore minor league baseball team. Its stadium, located in Lakewood, is hosting a Pride-themed night on July 26th. Pride Night in Shoretown includes a night of food + drink specials and a variety of promotions. The Chronicles of Rock + Roll plays in the Sand Bar at 6:15PM as part of Farro's Tees Summer Concert Series. Purchase tickets here.

Drag Brunch Bingo at Island Beach Fish Company | 2102 Central Avenue, Seaside Park

Island Beach Fish Company is a laid-back seafood restaurant in Seaside Park. As part of the Seaside Pride 2025 schedule, it's hosting a drag brunch bingo at 11:30AM on Sunday, June 22nd. As of this writing, tickets have not yet been released. Keep updated here.

Drag Brunch at Seaside Social House | 116 Sumner Avenue, Seaside Heights

Photo Credit: Seaside Social

Seaside Social House is a casual restaurant in Seaside Heights that serves pizza and small Italian dishes. Also involved in Seaside Pride 2025 programming, Seaside Social House will have its drag brunch on Saturday, June 21st, from 11:30AM until 3:00PM. Those interested in attending can click here to grab a ticket.

Drag Brunch at The Vogel | 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

The Vogel is an intimate concert venue in the Count Basie Center in Red Bank. In honor of Pride Month, The Vogel is hosting a drag brunch on Saturday, June 14th. The show starts at 11AM, and doors open + food service begins at 10AM. All tickets include brunch, and there is an option to add bottomless mimosas or a VIP ticket. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Eden After Dark at Over the Moon Art Studios | 808 Springwood Avenue, Asbury Park

Over the Moon is an art studio in Asbury Park. It is the location of Eden After Dark, a Stray Cats Burlesque experience featuring over ten burlesque performances, drag, aerial acts, and live music. In celebration of Pride, Eden After Dark also includes a live painting and pop-up art. Plus, the ticket gets you access to an open bar and light bites. FYI: Eden After Dark is a 21+ event —  buy tickets here.

Equality Ball at Asbury Lanes | 209 4th Avenue, Asbury Park

Asbury Lanes is a concert venue and boutique bowling alley in Asbury Park. In honor of 2025 Pride, Asbury Lanes is where the Equality Ball,  Garden State Equality's premier event and largest annual fundraiser, is taking place. This 21+ festive event features special guests, dancing, food, and drinks. The Equality Ball is on May 30th —  at 5PM is the VIP cocktail reception, at 6PM is the cocktail reception, at 7PM is the dinner, and the after party starts at 9PM. To learn more about the difference between VIP and general tickets, click here (you can also register at the link).  

Equality Cape May Pride March | Cove Beach, Cape May

Equality Cape May is an organization that helps to support and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community in Cape May. It is hosting a pride march at the cove on June 18th at 5PM. There is an after-party following the march starting at 6:30PM at The Inn of Cape May and ending at 8:30PM. The after-party includes a DJ, drinks, dancing, and face painting to keep the celebration going post-march.

Jersey Pride  (Asbury Park's) Parade + Festival | Fifth Avenue + Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park

Jersey Pride Parade + Festival is on June 1st from 12PM until 7PM. The parade begins at noon at Asbury Park City Hall and ends at the rally/festival grounds. From there, national headliners and local artists share the rally stage for a six-hour outdoor concert. The festival, which is family and pet friendly, has a variety of food options and resources for availability of support for issues that the queer community faces. Admission is $10 — purchase online here. 

Miss + Mr. Gay New Jersey 2025 at Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel | 1401 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park

Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel is a historic hotel overlooking the boardwalk in Asbury Park. The Miss Gay New Jersey Association (MGNJA), Inc., the oldest drag entertainment organization in New Jersey, celebrates Pride with its Miss + Mr. Gay New Jersey 2025 Competition on May 31st at Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. The show includes interviews, a talent section, formalwear, and crowning/prizes. Those who want to watch the competition can find tickets here. 

Night Before Pride Mixer at 3BR Distillery at 3BR | 7 Main Street, Keyport

3BR is a distillery in Keyport. 3BR runs a Night Before Pride Mixer + Holiday Bazaar on May 29th from 7PM until 10PM. The mixer gives the LGBTQ+ community a space to connect while browsing gifts and treats from local vendors. 3BR's queer mixer and holiday bazaar tickets are available here.  

Ocean City Pride Fest | East 6th Street, Ocean City

Ocean City Pride Fest is happening on May 31st. The festival starts at 9AM at 6th Street + The Boardwalk for its opening ceremony and Pride walk.OC Pride Fest, which is brought to the public by We Belong Cape May County, continues its celebrations with live entertainment starting at 10AM, along with family fun activities and resources taking place until 1PM.

Pride Fest in the Park | 329 Bay Avenue #325, Highlands

Highlands Business Partnership is bringing the Pride Fest in the Park to Huddy Park in the Highlands. The 3rd annual festival is on July 12th from 2PM until 8PM. Those attending can expect live music, a beer garden, food trucks, and specialty vendors.FYI: Admission and parking are free.

Pride Flag Raising | 607 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch

The City of Long Branch is holding its Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on June 6th. The event starts at 6PM at West End Park. Des + The Swagmatics will provide live music to add to the flag-raising festivities.

Pride Kickoff Fundraiser | 7 Ocean Street, Cape May

The Inn of Cape May is a renovated 19th-century Victorian mansion across the street from the beach in Cape May. On June 1st, Equality Cape May runs a pride kickoff fundraiser from 4PM until 7PM. The fundraiser includes a silent auction, gift basket raffles, a live DJ, drinks, dancing, and face painting.

Pride Kickoff Party + Karaoke at Jimbo's Bar + Grill | 715 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights

Jimbo's is a casual bar + grill on Seaside Heights' boardwalk. As part of Seaside Pride 2025, the bar hosts a kickoff party on June 20th from 5PM until 11PM. Jimbo's also has karaoke, a fun way to hear from community members. 

QSpot Pride BBQ | 1601 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park

QSpot is a LGBTQ+ community center in Asbury Park. The community center is hosting a BBQ on Saturday, May 31st starting at 4:00PM. There's also a special guest performance by Monte, a local singer from the Jersey Shore. QSpot is offering a limited number of free tickets for those who would benefit from attending the BBQ — click here to learn how (or to purchase tickets).

Red Bank's Pride in the Park | 58 West Front Street, Red Bank

Red Bank's Pride in the Park is happening at Riverside Gardens Park. The event is on June 7th at noon, and there is music, entertainment, and local vendors to experience in celebration of inclusivity. FYI: Rain date is June 8th.

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Toms River Pride Festival | Washington Street, Downtown Toms River

 

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The Toms River Pride Committee and Exit 82 Theatre Company are hosting Toms River's 7th Annual Pride Festival on Washington Street in Downtown Toms River. On Saturday, June 14th, in celebration of LGBTQIA2+, the festival gives the community access to a safe + welcoming environment including food, vendors, performances, community resources, and shopping. The festivities start at 11AM and end at 5PM.