New Hope PrideFest 2026: Complete Guide to America's Cross-State Pride

For nine days in May, two tiny river towns on opposite sides of the Delaware turn into the only Pride celebration in America that crosses a state line. New Hope, Pennsylvania and Lambertville, New Jersey have been hosting New Hope Celebrates PrideFest together for two decades, and 2026's edition — running May 9 through May 17 under the theme "Pride in Full Color" — is set to draw more than 15,000 visitors across nine days of parties, performances, drag, dance, and one extremely photogenic 100-foot rainbow flag.

If you've never made the pilgrimage, this is the year. Here's the full schedule, the parade logistics, where to stay, and what makes this little Bucks County borough one of the most quietly important LGBTQ+ destinations in the Northeast.

Quick Facts: New Hope PrideFest 2026

• Dates: Saturday, May 9 – Sunday, May 17, 2026
• Theme: Pride in Full Color
• Where: New Hope, PA & Lambertville, NJ (across the Delaware River)
• Headliners: Crystal Waters and Vincint at PrideFest Live!
• Parade: Saturday, May 16 at 11:00 AM, starting in Lambertville and crossing the bridge into New Hope
• Pride Fair & PrideFest Live!: Saturday, May 16, 12:00–5:00 PM at Pride Park (20 New St, New Hope)
• Most events: free or by donation; ticketed dance parties run $20–$25
• Official site: newhopecelebrates.com

Why New Hope PrideFest Is Worth the Trip

New Hope has been a quiet refuge for queer artists, performers, and weekenders since Broadway and Hollywood "discovered" it in the 1940s. Oscar Hammerstein worked nearby. Performers from the Bucks County Playhouse drank at the now-demolished Canal House piano bar. By the 1970s and '80s, the town had four gay bars and a thriving suburban-gay-disco scene anchored by January's, an unlicensed nightclub housed in a converted barn at Hope Ridge Farm.

Then in 2002, New Hope became the first borough in Pennsylvania to pass a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance protecting LGBTQ+ residents in housing, employment, and public accommodations — a full two decades before the state caught up. By 2006, voters had elected a majority-queer borough council. The Human Rights Campaign gives New Hope an 89/100 on its Municipal Equality Index, with perfect scores for non-discrimination laws, municipal services, and leadership.

The bar scene has thinned (more on that below), but the New Hope Celebrates organization, founded in 2003, has spent two decades reviving the town as a destination — and PrideFest is their crown jewel.

The Pride Parade: A Two-State March Across the Delaware

This is the big one — and the only Pride parade in the country that crosses a state line.

When: Saturday, May 16 at 11:00 AM | Where: Lambertville City Hall (NJ) → across the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge → Bridge Street, New Hope (PA)

The route starts symbolically. The parade kicks off at Lambertville City Hall — the same building where New Jersey's first same-sex marriages were performed in 2013. From there it proceeds down Bridge Street, crosses the 1,053-foot steel-truss bridge built in 1904, and pours into downtown New Hope. Leading the procession is a 100-foot rainbow Pride flag carried by community members, followed by Miss New Hope Celebrates 2026 Athena Chanteuse, drag royalty, civic groups, and dozens of marching contingents.

PrideFest Live! Headliners: Crystal Waters & Vincint

Right after the parade ends around noon, Pride Park at 20 New Street becomes the heart of the festival. The Pride Fair runs from 12:00 to 5:00 PM with 100+ vendors, food trucks, sponsor booths, and community organizations.

The headline event is PrideFest Live!, the free outdoor concert built around two big bookings:

• Crystal Waters — the dance music legend behind "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" and "100% Pure Love," still a fixture of Pride circuits worldwide
• Vincint — Philadelphia-born singer and Glee Project finalist whose run of releases on his own label Get Pretty have made him one of the most-watched queer pop artists of the decade

Bring sunscreen, water, and cash for vendors. The park fills up quickly once the parade ends, so claim space early if you want to be near the stage.

Full PrideFest 2026 Schedule

The full nine-day lineup, in order. Most events are free or donation-based; ticketed events are noted with prices.

Saturday, May 2 — Drag Queen Story Hour

10:00 AM | Free Library of New Hope and Solebury, 93 W Ferry St | Free

Hosted by Diva Divine Monroe and Asia Leigh Monroe. A great low-key kickoff for families.

Thursday, May 7 — Odd Bird Happy Hour

5:00 PM | Odd Bird Brewing, 10 Risler St, Stockton, NJ

Craft beer and an early community gathering across the river in Stockton.

Saturday, May 9 — Flag Unfurling Ceremony

11:30 AM | Bridge & Main Streets, New Hope

The Progress Pride Flag goes up over downtown New Hope. Reception follows at Martine's RiverHouse.

Saturday, May 9 — Pride Opening Tea Dance

4:00–8:00 PM | The Cub Room, 400 W Bridge St, New Hope | $10

The official PrideFest kickoff at the only gay bar still operating in town. See the dedicated section below.

Tuesday, May 12 — Pride with Purpose

6:30–8:00 PM | The Logan Inn, 10 W Ferry St, New Hope

A panel discussion featuring international LGBTQ+ community members. The Logan Inn is one of the oldest continuously operating inns in America (since 1727) and a queer-friendly anchor of the town.

Wednesday, May 13 — Pride Bingo

6:00 PM | HollyHedge Estate, 6987 Upper York Rd, New Hope | 21+

Tie-dye party theme, drag performances, and prizes. One of the most-loved mid-week events on the calendar.

Thursday, May 14 — Love Is Love Gala

7:00–10:00 PM | River House at Odette's, 274 River Rd, New Hope

The marquee night for art lovers. Catered buffet, fashion show, and a silent auction featuring works from local queer artists. Held in the riverside Odette's, a fixture of New Hope dining since 1961.

Friday, May 15 — Friday Night Pride Kickoff

6:30–9:30 PM | Bill Harris & Jay Manas Playhouse Barn, 52 S Main St, New Hope

Live music, light bites, and the opening night of parade weekend. The Playhouse Barn is part of the historic Bucks County Playhouse complex.

Saturday, May 16 — Pride Parade

11:00 AM | Lambertville City Hall → New Hope-Lambertville Bridge → Bridge St, New Hope | Free

See the dedicated parade section above.

Saturday, May 16 — Pride Fair & PrideFest Live!

12:00–5:00 PM | Pride Park, 20 New St, New Hope

Vendors, food, Crystal Waters, Vincint. See the headliners section above.

Saturday, May 16 — Pride Saturday Night Dance Party

8:00 PM–Midnight | New Hope Inn & Suites, 6426 Lower York Rd | $20 (or $35 combo with Sunday) | 21+

DJ Trish keeps the dance floor moving until midnight.

Sunday, May 17 — Pride Sunday Closing Tea & Pool Party

3:00–7:00 PM | New Hope Inn & Suites, 6426 Lower York Rd | $25 (or $35 combo) | 21+

Pool party, DJ Trish on the decks, and the unofficial close to PrideFest. The combo ticket with Saturday night is the move if you're staying for both.

All Month — NHC Best Cocktail Contest

May 1–24 | 16+ participating bars and restaurants | 21+

A taste-and-vote competition featuring Pride-inspired cocktails and mocktails sponsored by Tito's Vodka and Corralejo Tequila. Pick up a passport at any participating venue.

Pride Opening Tea Dance at The Cub Room (May 9)

The Cub Room is the last gay bar in New Hope — a town that once had four. It opened in the New Hope Lodge at 400 W Bridge Street and has become the de facto community living room: small, friendly, heavy on drag and live performances, and unafraid to lean into its role as the heir to The Raven, The Prelude, and The Cartwheel before it.

The Pride Opening Tea Dance on May 9 is the official kickoff for PrideFest — 4:00 to 8:00 PM, $10 at the door, with cocktails and the kind of crowd that's been showing up to New Hope for decades. It's worth getting there even if you can't make the full weekend. More info at thecubroom.com.

Love Is Love Gala at River House at Odette's (May 14)

If your trip is dinner-and-art, not bars-and-DJs, the Love Is Love Gala is your night. Hosted at River House at Odette's — the riverfront restaurant that's been a New Hope landmark since cabaret legend Odette Myrtil opened it in 1961 — it's the most polished event on the calendar.

What you get: a catered buffet, a fashion show, a silent auction of work from local queer artists, and a "new experiences" auction (think: dinner at someone's home, a private studio tour). Tickets and details at newhopecelebrates.com.

Saturday Night Dance Party & Sunday Closing Pool Party (May 16–17)

The two ticketed dance events both happen at the New Hope Inn & Suites at 6426 Lower York Road, about a five-minute drive from downtown. DJ Trish handles both nights.

• Saturday Night Dance Party — 8:00 PM to midnight, $20, 21+. Indoor dance floor, full bar, the official end-of-parade-day party.
• Sunday Closing Tea & Pool Party — 3:00 to 7:00 PM, $25, 21+. Outdoor pool party in the back, the long, slow goodbye to PrideFest.

The combo pass is $35 for both. If you're not staying at New Hope Inn & Suites, plan rideshare back to your hotel — parking lots fill quickly and the route between downtown and the inn is dark and curvy.

Where to Stay for PrideFest

New Hope is small enough that nearly every accommodation is walkable to the parade route. A few standouts:

• The Logan Inn — Operating since 1727, one of the five oldest continuously running inns in America. Walking distance to Pride Park and the parade route. Also hosts a PrideFest event (Pride with Purpose, May 12).
• New Hope Inn & Suites — Where the Saturday Night Dance Party and Sunday Pool Party happen. Booking here means you don't have to worry about getting back after midnight.
• Pineapple Hill Inn — Highly rated B&B on the south end of town, popular with PrideFest weekenders for years.
• Wedgwood Inn of New Hope — Historic Victorian B&B run as a long-time LGBTQ+ ally. Booked far in advance for parade weekend.
• Fox & Hound Bed & Breakfast — Voted one of the most romantic inns in Bucks County; gourmet breakfast and a private king annex.
• Clarion Inn & Suites of New Hope — A larger, more standard hotel option with explicit LGBTQ+ welcoming credentials.

For a complete LGBTQ+ accommodations list, check the Bucks County Visitor Bureau LGBT page.

LGBTQ+ Bars, Restaurants & Hangouts in New Hope

The town's gay nightlife is smaller than it once was, but the spots that exist are tight, well-loved, and easy to walk between.

• The Cub Room — The last gay bar in New Hope, inside the New Hope Lodge at 400 W Bridge St. Drag, live music, T-dances. The hub of PrideFest.
• Karla's Restaurant & Bar — A New Hope staple since 1978, famous for "the best martinis in town" and European-inspired comfort food. Mostly queer staff, frequent drag brunches and PrideFest tie-ins. The oldest continuously LGBTQ+-popular hangout in town.
• The Logan Inn — Not strictly a gay bar, but the historic inn and tavern is a longtime queer-friendly gathering spot, and is hosting the Pride with Purpose discussion this year.
• River House at Odette's — Riverfront dining with a long queer history dating to founder Odette Myrtil. Host venue for the Love Is Love Gala.
• HollyHedge Estate — Country wedding venue that hosts Pride Bingo and other LGBTQ+ events throughout the year.

Getting There & Getting Around

From Philadelphia (~45 minutes north): Take I-95 N to PA-32 N along the Delaware. Scenic drive.

From New York City (~90 minutes southwest): Take NJ Turnpike to I-287 N to US-202 S. You'll arrive in Lambertville first, then cross the bridge into New Hope.

Public transit: SEPTA's West Trenton Line gets you to Trenton, where you can grab a rideshare for the final 25 minutes. There's no direct rail to New Hope itself.

Parking: New Hope's main lots (on Bridge Street and South Main) fill by 9:30 AM on parade day. Park in Lambertville instead — the lots there fill more slowly, and you can walk across the bridge into the parade. Or arrive Friday night and park at your hotel.

Walking: Once you're there, you don't need a car. Downtown New Hope is six walkable blocks. The Delaware Canal Towpath runs alongside the river and connects the two towns via the bridge — it's a beautiful 20-minute walk between Lambertville's Main Street and New Hope's Bridge Street.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is New Hope PrideFest 2026?

PrideFest 2026 runs from Saturday, May 9 through Sunday, May 17. The biggest day is Saturday, May 16 — the parade and PrideFest Live!.

How much does it cost to attend?

Most PrideFest events are free or have a $10 suggested donation. The ticketed dance events run $20 (Saturday Night Dance Party) and $25 (Sunday Closing Tea & Pool Party), with a $35 combo for both.

What time is the Pride parade?

The parade begins at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 16, starting at Lambertville City Hall and crossing the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge into Pennsylvania.

Is the Pride parade really the only one to cross a state line?

Yes. New Hope PrideFest is the only Pride parade in America that crosses a state line. The route runs from Lambertville, NJ across the Delaware River bridge into New Hope, PA — symbolic both for New Jersey's history of marriage equality and New Hope's status as the first PA borough with a non-discrimination ordinance.

Where is the best place to watch the parade?

The bridge itself is the most iconic viewing spot, but it's capacity-controlled and crowded. For better space and easier access to food and bathrooms, post up on Bridge Street in New Hope between Main and Stockton.

Is New Hope LGBTQ+ friendly outside of PrideFest?

Extremely. New Hope was the first borough in Pennsylvania to pass a comprehensive LGBTQ+ non-discrimination ordinance (2002), elected a majority-queer borough council in 2006, and scores 89/100 on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index. It's safe, welcoming, and queer-owned-business-rich year-round.

Are there gay bars in New Hope outside of PrideFest?

The Cub Room is the only operating gay bar, but Karla's, The Logan Inn, River House at Odette's, and several other queer-friendly restaurants and venues anchor the social scene year-round.

What should I wear to PrideFest?

Daytime parade and Pride Fair: comfortable shoes, layers (May weather in PA can swing 50°F to 80°F), Pride colors. Evening dance parties: whatever makes you feel fabulous, but pack something warm for walking home — riverfront New Hope gets chilly after sunset.

Can I bring kids to PrideFest?

Yes. The parade, Pride Fair, PrideFest Live!, and Drag Queen Story Hour are all family-friendly. Several events (Pride Bingo, dance parties, the Sunday Pool Party) are 21+.

For the latest updates, last-minute schedule changes, and to register vendor or sponsorship inquiries, visit newhopecelebrates.com. And if PrideFest leaves you wanting more, browse all the LGBTQ+ Pride events happening across the country this spring on Out x Out.