Celebrate Pride Month at these North Jersey events

June is Pride Month — a time to celebrate the LGBTQ community and its place in our culture.

Pride, as a movement, started in New York City, with an uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June of 1969, as members of the community put up resistance to a police raid at the establishment. But while New York City is home base for the movement, the commemorations, parades, celebrations and festivals have reached far and wide across the country over the years, with LGBTQ Pride Month recognized by a presidential proclamation in 1999.

North Jersey has its share of events every year, so see below for some of the places to go and fun to be had while supporting the queer community. With live music, drag shows, flag raisings and more throughout the region, here are some great ways to show your Pride:

Boonton: The Boonton Rainbow Pride event will be noon to 4 p.m. June 20 at Grace Lord Park, rain or shine.

Clifton: The Pride flag raising ceremony, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will be at 11 a.m. June 20 at City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave.

Dumont: The Cultural Affairs, Inclusivity, Diversity, and Celebrations Committee will hold its Pride event, noon to 1 p.m. June 5. In addition, the Dumont Pride event on June 12 will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Husky Drive (DHS, 101 New Milford Ave.) and march to Borough Hall, where there will be a color toss and speakers at 5, and stations and activities at 5:30.

Fair Lawn: The Pride Block Party will be noon to 4 p.m. June 14 at Memorial Park, 1 Avenue of Heroes.

Hackensack: The Annual Inclusive Pride Flag Raising Ceremony, 3 p.m. June 12 at Atlantic Street Park, 102 State St., will highlight the spirit of unity and acceptance, recognizing and honoring the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and achievements.

Hackensack, Bergen County LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee: The Pride flag raising event, 5:30 p.m. June 11 at the Bergen County Administration Building, 1 Bergen County Plaza, will include music, crafts, refreshments, resource tables and more.

Leonia: The LGBTQ+ Celebration presented by Leonia Pride, 3 to 6 p.m. June 13 at Wood Park, is a family-friendly events that will include live performances, food and craft vendors. Admission is free.

Mahwah: Join Mahwah-Ramsey Pride, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 26 at Ramapo College’s Bradley Center, 505 Ramapo Valley Road, for live music, drag performers, resources, vendors, family activities and lots of pride. Admission is free.

Maplewood: The North Jersey Pride Festival, noon to 6 p.m. June 14 at Memorial Park, 580 Valley St., is an all-day community celebration with local and national talent (all material is family-friendly) on the live stage, a vendor court with more than 100 merchants and nonprofits, a food court with local culinary artisans and desserts, the Rainbow Kids Zone with inflatables and obstacle courses, and a Kids Stage featuring a new show every hour on the hour, plus disability inclusion and accessibility. Bring a blanket or some beach chairs. Admission is free.

Montclair: Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Out Montclair’s Pride event, noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 1 (rescheduled from its original June date) at Lackawanna Plaza, will include live entertainment, community programming, family activities, food, art and cultural experiences. The Main Stage (Grove Street) will have inspirational speakers and live performances; the Spotlight Stage (Bloomfield Ave) will showcase local and emerging talent; and the Family Zone will have interactive programming, arts and crafts, and activities for all ages. There will be more than 150 vendors, including local businesses, food, artisans, community organizations, beer and beverage gardens, food trucks and specialty treats. Montclair Pride is free to the public and accessible to all.

Montville: The Pride Day event will be 1 to 4 p.m. June 13 at Montville Township Public Library.

Newark Pride festival: The 21st Annual Newark Pride Festival will be July 13 through July 19. The theme is “Our Bodies, Our Stories, Our Power.” The event will include community programs, a parade, entertainment, vendors and more. Cookiee Kawaii will be the regional headliner; Rodney Chester and Tyra Old Navy will be the celebrity hosts. There will also be a Pride flag raising, the Sakia Gunn Day of Service, Wellness Wednesday, a comedy show, a community dinner, trap yoga, the NJPAC Legacy Ball, the Gawdly Memorial Brunch, and a festival in the park.

Newark LGBTQ Picnic in the Park: Join Garden State Equality, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25 at Branch Brook Park, 257 -259 Ballantine Parkway, for games, music and resource-sharing in a welcoming and affirming outdoor environment. Enter at the Ballantine Gateway. Make friends and have fun in the sun. The rain date is Aug. 2.

Newton: The Sussex County Pride event, noon to 5 p.m. June 13 at 1 Brooks Plaza, will feature live music and drag performances by local LGBTQ+ talent, vendors and food trucks, lawn games, art activities, a photo booth and more. Admission is free.

Oakland: All are welcome to the Oakland Pride Festival, 1 to 5 p.m. June 28 at the Elks Lodge, 33 Ramapo Valley Road. The suggested donations are items for the food pantry.

Paramus: The Pride Flag Raising Ceremony, 5:30 p.m. June 29 at the gazebo flagpole at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, 230 E. Ridgewood Ave., will be followed by a resource festival with music by DJ Ray, refreshments, information, giveaways and more. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the auditorium.

Randolph: The Morris County Pride Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 27 at County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Road, is free to attend, for all ages, family friendly and ADA accessible.

South Orange Elks: The Pride After Dark dance party co-hosted by North Jersey Pride, 7 p.m. June 13 at 220 Prospect St., will include music, dancing and all the Pride vibes. Hit the dance floor with beats by DJ MagieVision and grab a bite from Jus Tacos. $26.50 suggested donation in advance; $30 at the door. Proceeds to benefit the Rain Foundation of Essex County.

South Orange, Orange Lawn Tennis Club: Pickle with Pride at the second annual Pride Pickleball Tournament, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 20 at 305 N. Ridgewood Road. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just learning the ropes, this fun and inclusive event is open to all skill levels. Lace up your sneakers, grab your paddle, and hit the court for a day of friendly competition, community connection, and celebration. $35 includes tourney play, barbecue and hat; $20 for spectator tickets with barbecue. The rain date is June 27.

Teaneck, Puffin Cultural Forum: Actor and producer David Drumgold returns to 20 Puffin Way, 7 p.m. June 13, with his annual Pride Variety Show – a celebration of music, comedy, drag, dance and theatrical joy, inspired by the classic variety shows of the ’60s and ’70s. Performers will include jazz singer Richard Cortez, drag queens Zeta Jones and Jada Valenciaga, R&B singer Diana Taylor. $10 suggested donation.