The state of New Jersey may not be a known epicenter of gay culture like Fire Island or Ryan Murphy’s entire filmography, but its impressive commitment to celebrating Pride Month is a notable step in the right direction. As a lifelong resident of the Garden State, I’ve never seen so many local events and activities for the burgeoning LGBTQ+ community! So.Gay is thrilled to deliver your comprehensive 2025 NJ Pride Guide.
Like many other progressive people in the state after this past election, I felt like I was injected with literal horse shit upon seeing Trump’s endorsed candidates take so many wins. Though many NJ municipalities are turning redder than a blood-soaked tomato, we don’t want their hate to rain on our literal parade. Know our Pride shouldn’t hide because of these gross voting trends. If anything, this last election should inspire us to only be more visible and vibrant. Our joy is deserved and unbreakable.
Look no further than to NJ-born queer pioneer Marcia P. Johnson for inspiration on navigating all sides of Pride. We can learn from her unwavering fight and declaration of identity at the historic Stonewall Uprising in 1969. Channel her triumphant energy into this new Trumpian era and rejoice in the time ahead as an act of defiance.
Enjoy star-studded performances, inclusive parades, and street fairs with vendors galore. Celebrate your unapologetic queerness surrounded by like-minded folks who understand your ups, downs, and everything in between. We grow more powerful in a pack, like gay little werewolves, so add yourself to the wonderful world that is Pride Month in New Jersey.
Join the vibes of this year’s month-long rainbow revolution with these seven exclusive Pride events across New Jersey.
Event 1: Meet RPDR Ms. Congeniality, Crystal Envy (May 31, June 1, and TBD)
Crystal Envy rocked her phenomenal style and delivered sheer eleganza in season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, even earning the coveted Ms. Congeniality crown (sorry, Joella!) This New Jersey queen from Asbury Park has done wonders in elevating her shoreside city into the collective consciousness of gay viewers everywhere. She even got Ru to call it “Ass-bury Park.”
Join Ms. Envy in ringing in the start of the summer with special appearances in her hometown. She’ll be headlining Asbury Park Pride Weekend, including ‘The Midnight Mystique’ at Paradise Nightclub, a Pride Brunch at Porta, and a gag-worthy mainstage performance at Asbury’s famed Stone Pony.
Dance the night away, make friends, maybe flirt with someone cute and new. Just as Crystal proved to Ru, you are a true queen, too. Own and embrace it! Expect to see Crystal Envy and other NJ drag legends around the state throughout this busy month.
Event 2: Asbury Park Pride Kickoff – The Official Pride Parade for New Jersey (June 1)
Jersey Pride officially launches in Asbury Park on Sunday, June 1. Join the Abba-themed dance parties, parade along the beautiful boardwalk, and add to the incredible energy all around.
This is the state’s 33rd annual LGBTQ+ celebration, inviting queer peers and allies from all over for a day of fun. As the largest and oldest LGBTQ Pride Celebration in New Jersey, attendance is set to surpass a record 20,000!
Asbury Park’s legacy as an accepting safe haven for marginalized communities began in the early 1900s. What started as a secret hotspot for big-city gays to retreat and meet for beachy fun blossomed into a formidable fortress of fagotry. It’s amazing to see Asbury Park continue to embrace its storied roots as an affirming town in NJ’s colorful queer history.
Event 3: The Crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Gay New Jersey 2025 (June 1)
Get your gown on, don a dress, and tape down your tiaras. The 34th annual crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Gay New Jersey 2025 will be at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel on June 1. This fierce competition requires contestants to answer pageant questions on the spot, showcase their talents, and conclude the night in formal wear.
Ticket sales directly support The Beacon Light Fund, which empowers LGBTQ+ community members who are living with HIV or AIDS. Guests also have the opportunity to upgrade their table package by making a contribution to the organization.
If you’re a Dance Moms gay like me or ever watched Drag Race or Here Comes Honeybooboo, this is the ultimate unique Pride event for us.
Event 4: Daddies & Baddies Amateur Drag Night at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City (June 13)
Calling all daddies and baddies! DILFS to the front of the line, please. I’m talking directly to you, Pedro Pascal. This amateur night welcomes 10 contestants of all skill levels, so there’s less pressure to be perfect and more focused on fun. It’s inspiring and iconic to see such proud people transform before our plebian eyes.
Additionally, Atlantic City boasts a new and exciting gay club, The Byrd Cage, which features go-go dancers, pink drinks, and an exceptional party atmosphere. The gambling town is slowly being rainbow-fied, as they’re even having a Pride flag-raising ceremony outside the local Hard Rock on June 7. Spending a fun Pride night in AC is one bet I’m happy to take.
Event 5: Drag Brunch with Lady Celestina (June 14)
Drag Brunch at the Vogel, starring Lady Celestina (and friends), is your mid-month Pride party on Saturday, June 14. Add on a package of bottomless mimosas to vibe out all afternoon. If you’re never been to a drag brunch and have always wanted to go, let Lady Celestina pop your pitiful cherry.
As is customary, please bring cash, and try not to be stingy with tips. Drag queens should get paid double, nay TRIPLE, this month. They’re our vivacious soldiers on the front lines of art, education, and entertainment —the true triple threats helping to change hearts and minds. The least we can do, as non-performers or boring untucked folks, is to stuff a few extra singles into their gorgeous bosoms during an unavoidable Wicked medley. Tickets are required.
Event 6: Beach Bonfire and Live Music at Seaside Pride (June 20 & 21)
It’s time to get hot and sweaty on the beach with your friends and strangers! Wait, that came out wrong – unless you’re headed to the nude beach in north Jersey called Gunnison. For a more SFW activity, check out what Seaside has planned on Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Seaside Heights is more than just the birthplace of MTV’s The Jersey Shore, or where high schoolers hit up for After Prom mayhem. This soon-to-come beach bonfire is quintessential summer fun, set to bring queer folks together.
Walk the coaster-strung boardwalk and play some carnival games for a fun prize, too. Several restaurants and locally owned spots are opening their doors for Pride events, including Karaoke at Jimbo’s Bar and Grill, Drag Brunch at Seaside Social House, a happy hour at the lovely Oceanview Restaurant, and more. The back-to-back nights finish with a dance party until 2 AM at JR’s Ocean Bar & Grill.
Event 7: Vendor Fairs at Pride Festivals (Throughout, complete list below)
June really is the best time to find folks selling absolutely everything. It’s a rainbow-infused craft fair, with professional artisans fueling all the fun. Impressive pieces of hand-drawn art (because fuck AI), expansive toy collections of your favorite queer media, and deeply passionate sellers are sure to pique your interest.
Go ahead and grab queer-made Pride merch that’s creative, stylish, and fresh. So long are the days of suffering through Target’s impressively stale rainbow offerings- now you can support local creators who truly get your taste.
Trans and queer business owner Mac Allen is super active this Pride Month. He’ll be tabling at several pride events, offering pins, stickers, shirts, and more. His company SharkBoy Stuff donates a portion of all sales to a rotating list of LGBTQ+ organizations and is a great example of the community looking out for one another. Allen’s one of many LGBTQ+ leaders bringing their inclusive wares to spots like Pride in the Park in Red Bank, elevating events with shopping opportunities for all.
More Pride, More Problems?
There’s been a red scare in the air, and it’s like nobody cares. Sorry to get all rhyme-y like Dr. Seuss there, but many LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans are disappointed by the last election’s results. Knowing that many of our friends and neighbors may be feigning allyship or be outright anti-us may discourage anyone from seeking the most out of Pride Month. But where the voters truly failed, some elected officials and other government workers are working hard to bring Pride to their townspeople.
Small towns are really putting their full stussies (small-town pussies) into hosting welcoming events. Progressive leaders are helping shepherd in more opportunities to celebrate the month than ever recorded in state history. While it’s unfortunate that several events overlap, including NJ and Philly Pride, there are still plenty of chances for you to rock your rainbow attire.
Upcoming Pride Festivals in New Jersey
Many are even offering opportunities to volunteer! Lending an hour of your time to help load chairs or direct traffic can make a world of difference. Here’s your guide on where to go and when:
Sunday, June 1
Thursday, June 5
Saturday, June 7
Sunday, June 8
Friday, June 14
Thursday, June 20
Friday, June 21
Saturday, June 22
Tuesday, June 25
Friday, June 28
Whether you’re yearning to strut the parade route or watch comfortably from a shaded balcony with buddies and proseccos, your presence is more than welcome. We should all try to come out, in any way we’re comfortable, and show our support for every aspect of our colorful community.
TIPS TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE
Quick tips to make sure your Pride activities run as smoothly as a twink’s hairless abs: remember to hydrate against the unforgiving summer heat, you are not too cool for sunscreen, and sunglasses are a top-tier accessory, especially for scoping out cuties. A lot of solar-centric advice, but we just want you to be safe. Make sure to check in with a friend when you get to where you’re headed, stay alert for bad actors trying to yuck your yum, and be mindful that the haters deserve even less attention during our month.
WHAT TO WEAR
As for what to wear, every Gen Z or millennial celeb is rocking Miu Miu and a Laboo, and if those words sound like pure mush to you, then you probably have more brain cells left than I do. The best practice is to wear something with any hint of the rainbow, just to confirm to folks around you why you’re there. Not only would you ruin group photos if you show up in a bland grey sweatshirt, but those pit stains and awkward stares at your blah-ness won’t amplify the colorful cause.
You’ll see so many people embracing their inner diva, dressing with boa necklaces or walking around in full drag. Don’t be afraid to spice up your own wardrobe, paint that pinky nail silver, and just be sure to try something new that excites you. That’s one part of Pride, the ‘fuck it let’s do this’ mentality, that has kept our people going through time.
This concludes your comprehensive guide to the ultimate Pride for 2025. So.Gay will continue to connect you with places, people, performances, and other pertinent p words to keep you in the LGBTQ+ loop. We hope to see you around NJ all month long.
