Pride Month is officially underway, and communities throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey are celebrating with festivals, parades, family-friendly events, and local business participation throughout June. Restaurants, bars, and hospitality operators across the region are also finding new ways to engage with customers through themed menus, special events, and community partnerships.
This year, Atlantic City is helping anchor South Jersey’s Pride celebrations with the return of the Atlantic City Great Pride Festival.
The festival will feature live entertainment, food vendors, community resources, local businesses, family-friendly activities, and programming designed to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
As one of South Jersey’s largest Pride gatherings, the event continues to strengthen Atlantic City’s growing reputation as an inclusive destination for visitors and residents alike.
Pride Month Across PA and NJ
While Atlantic City prepares for its June 20 celebration, Pride events are taking place throughout the Delaware Valley. Philadelphia’s annual Pride celebrations have once again brought thousands of residents and visitors together through marches, festivals, community programming, and cultural events. Additional celebrations are scheduled throughout the month in communities including New Hope, Asbury Park, Cape May, Haddon Township, Media, and Bucks County.
Together, these events create opportunities for local businesses to connect with customers while demonstrating support for diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.
How Restaurants Can Participate
For restaurants, Pride Month presents an opportunity to celebrate while strengthening community connections.
Operators can participate by:
- Creating Pride-themed food and beverage specials
- Partnering with local LGBTQ+ organizations
- Hosting fundraising events or drag brunches
- Participating as vendors at local festivals
- Donating a portion of sales to LGBTQ+ causes
- Highlighting Pride initiatives across social media channels
Many restaurants also use Pride Month to showcase inclusive workplace cultures while supporting causes that matter to both employees and customers.
Takeaway
From Philadelphia’s Gayborhood to the Atlantic City Boardwalk, restaurants continue to bring communities together through celebration, visibility, and Pride Month support.
With Atlantic City’s Great Pride Festival still ahead and dozens of events continuing throughout June, restaurants have a unique opportunity to engage with their communities, welcome new customers, and demonstrate their commitment to inclusion one meal, event, and celebration at a time.
Eileen Honey Strauss
Author
