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.
Read More: 24 Seasonal Jersey Shore Restaurants + Bars Back Open for Summer 2025
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.
See More: LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses to Support in Hudson County
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.
Celebrating 5 Years of The Local Girl’s Wedding Directory
This is a sponsored article.
As your self-proclaimed New Jersey BFF, we think of ourselves as a go-to resource for every occasion — from the small, quotidian questions (ex: where can I print things in town?) to the most special milestone events (ex: your wedding day). Five years ago, after dozens of recommendations and requests, we decided to lean into the latter, launching an online New Jersey Wedding Directory. Our mission then remains the same as now: to help New Jerseyans plan their big day and support local businesses in the process. In 2025, our directory is more robust than ever, chock-full of the best food vendors, venues, makeup artists, photographers, and planners in the area. Read on to learn more about The Local Girl’s Wedding Directory and some of our newest vendors.
About the Directory
We first launched our Wedding Directory in 2020 (ironic, we know), to serve as a resource for couples to connect and collaborate with vendors throughout the state. Broken down by category, readers can easily sift through trusted and highly recommended vendors for various wedding day needs.
Categories include: eauty + wellness, catering + bakeries, decor + stationery, entertainment, fashion + jewelry, fitness, florists, gifts, planners, photo + video, and of course, venues. To begin exploring, simply visit our directory here and click your preferred category. Readers can also refine their search and filter by region, popularity, or latest additions.
Vendor Spotlights
Beauty + Wellness
Complete Wellness Spas | Various Locations
Complete Wellness Spas is a premier destination with personalized spa services that include comprehensive care, detailed consultations, and an overall relaxing experience. Guests can choose from treatments such as injectables, facials, laser hair removal, medical weight loss, and more to prepare for their next big event.
Complete Wellness Spas has various locations throughout New Jersey, including: 764 Broadway in Bayonne, 76 West Jimmie Leeds Road #105 in Galloway, 760 US-46 in Kenvil, 48 Hoboken Road in East Rutherford, 709 Haddonfield-Berlin Road in Voorhees Township, 1214 Route 37 in Toms River, and a Ramsey location (coming soon).
Event Planners
Creations by Christine Events | On-site
Creations by Christine Events is run by Christine Figliuolo, a former HBO producer who has been planning events and weddings since 1993. Christine understands that the key to any successful event involves careful planning, research, attention to detail, and a trusted team. Since her start in the events industry, Christine has planned hundreds of events, giving her a sharp insight when it comes to making a big day run smoothly.
Photo Credit: Jay Lim Studio
Photography
Kayfield Photography | On-site
Christopher Kayfield is the eye behind the camera at Kayfield Photography. His eclectic style brings a creative touch to everything he photographs. Chris leads with empathy and expertise, standing by clients throughout their entire planning process. Working with Chris allows couples to relax on their wedding day, knowing that he has everything covered to capture some of the most sentimental moments with ease.
Marie Papp Photography | On-site
Marie Papp knows just how to capture a photo filled with deep connection and emotion. Her goal is to celebrate life and love through timeless photography, creating photos from the heart. Marie aims to hone in on the authentic energy of not only her subjects, but the moment as she preserves special moments in time. Marie also offers custom heirloom photographic prints and legacy albums.
Photo Credit: Marie Papp Photography
Venues
Antique Loft at Riverview | 33 Newark Street, Hoboken
Antique Loft at Riverview is a 4,000 square foot rooftop event space located just steps away from the Hoboken PATH station. The space features floor-to-ceiling windows and a stunning wrap-around terrace with panoramic views of New York City over the Hudson River. The venue serves as a romantic backdrop for wedding-related events and acts as a blank canvas for its guests.
The Hudson Rose | 238 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
The Harlow Room at The Hudson Rose is designed for unforgettable events. Whether it's for a wedding, corporate gathering, birthday party, shower, or any special celebration, the elegant space can bring any vision to life. Located above the main dining room of the Hudson Rose, the Harlow Room features sophisticated decor, natural light, and a completely customizable layout.
To check out all of our exclusive vendor deals + recommendations, head over to the Wedding Directory. To be featured as a vendor, please email [email protected].
