Part of the Gay Asbury Park Guide — bars, events & things to do.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Asbury Park, NJ
The Asbury Park Beach Bear Invasion is the Jersey Shore’s biggest bear weekend — four days (Jul 31-Aug 3, 2026) of tea dances, pool parties, and dance parties centered on The Empress Hotel and its Paradise nightclub, plus days on the Asbury Park beach. “Muscle bears on the beach, polar bears in the pool, cubs on Cookman Ave.”
Have feedback on this description? Let us knowThe circuit parties, afterhours and official events happening across Asbury Park Beach Bear Invasion in Asbury Park — dates, venues and tickets.
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Fri, Jul 31
5 PM - 9 PM
The Empress Hotel
The Welcome Tea Dance opens Asbury Park Bear Invasion 2026 at The Empress Hotel pool, Friday Jul 31, 5-9 PM — the weekend’s kickoff on the Jersey Shore.
Fri, Jul 31
10 PM - 3 AM
Paradise
Furball brings its touring bear dance party to Paradise for Asbury Park Bear Invasion 2026 — Friday night Jul 31, 10 PM at the Empress’s Paradise club.
Sat, Aug 1
12 PM - 6 PM
Paradise Pool at The Empress
Plunge, the signature Bear Invasion pool party, takes over the Paradise pool at The Empress on Saturday Aug 1, 12-6 PM — the weekend’s marquee daytime party.
Sat, Aug 1
12 PM - 8 PM
Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
Bear Market Day brings vendors, gear, and community to Asbury Park during Bear Invasion 2026 — a daytime market on Saturday Aug 1, 12-8 PM near Cookman Ave.
Sat, Aug 1
10 PM - 3 AM
Paradise
RAM, the headline Bear Invasion dance party by Daddy Ersin, takes over Paradise at The Empress on Saturday night Aug 1, 10 PM until close. The weekend’s big night.
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