15 Events To Celebrate The Weekend And Beyond
Embrace community spirit, listen to live music, catch a comedy show—you can do all of that and more in Bergen.
May is cresting into June, which means the heat is here to stay (at last!), school is winding down, summer is on its way—and Pride Month is kicking off. This time of year in Bergen is one of our favorites; it’s filled with joyful carnivals and festivals, entertaining concerts and comedy shows and Pride-themed speakers and flag raisings.
Celebrated in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, Pride Month is a time to support, celebrate and fight for the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people all over the world. In Bergen County, towns, organizations and advocacy groups have been putting together community celebrations for all to take part in, whether you’re part of the community yourself, showing up for a friend or family member or are passionate about the cause.
Check out these weekend events and upcoming Pride celebrations:
Through June 7
- Stop by the Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus and catch the L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival! Hop on classic carnival rides, munch on your favorite summertime treat and try your hand at games. Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on weekends.
May 30
- Also in Paramus is Bergen Town Center, where you can browse an Artisan Market starting at noon. Shop handcrafted jewelry and gifts, home décor, pet products and sweet treats.
- Celebrate the best music the Garden State has to offer at the Glen Rock Public Library, which is hosting the outdoor concert Garden State Homegrown: A Tribute to New Jersey Musicians. From Patti Smith to Paul Simon to the Isley Brothers to Frank & Nancy Sinatra, this show will have you feeling home state pride. It starts at 2 p.m.
- For an unforgettable mix of music, magic and ventriloquism, stop by the Williams Center in Rutherford for Andy Gross: Comedy and Magic Spectacular. The show begins at 7 p.m. and is suitable for all ages.
- Get ready to laugh at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center, where you can catch a show by Tio Pito Colo at 7:30 p.m. Born in New Jersey but raised in Puerto Rico, he blends cultural anecdotes and relatable humor for a crowd-pleasing show.
- A fantastic tribute act stops by the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood! Magical Mystery Doors plays at 8 p.m. and presents the best of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Doors.
Pride events in Bergen
May 31
- Pride month officially kicks off with the Teaneck Pride Flag Raising at the Votee Park flagpoles. Stop by at 1 p.m. for community, togetherness and a keynote speech from Curt Collier, leader of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County.
June 1
- The Tenafly Pride Parade steps off at 3:30 p.m. from Oresko Memorial Green before making its way to Huyler Park for the flag raising ceremony.
June 6
- Fort Lee’s Pride Celebration will be held at the Fort Lee Recreation Center starting at 11 a.m. Stop by for karaoke, vendors, resources and activities for kids.
- Hosted by the Rutherford Pride Alliance, South Bergen Pridefest comes to Rutherford’s Lincoln Park for an afternoon of food trucks, games, music, a beer garden, informational tables and more. The program starts off at noon.
- Return to Oresko Memorial Green in Tenafly at noon for Tenafly’s Pride celebration with music, vendors, informational booths and more.
June 7
- Glen Rock’s Pride in the Park celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Stop by Glen Rock Borough Hall at noon for a flag raising, which will be followed at 1 p.m. by speakers, music, arts, crafts, vendors, food and family fun.
June 8
- The Bergen County Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at the Bergen County Administration Building in Hackensack promises music, crafts, vendors and light refreshments for all.
June 14
- At Memorial Park in Fair Lawn, come together to celebrate Fair Lawn Pride with a community fair, vendor market, bingo and a dance party (plus a splash pad for kids!).
June 26
- The inaugural Mahwah-Ramsey Pride Celebration combines both town’s celebrations at Ramapo College’s Bill Bradley Center with live music and entertainment, inspirational speakers, family activities and community spirit.
How are you celebrating Pride in Bergen County? Tag us in all your best moments @bergenmagnj.
