Family-Friendly Pride Events in the New York Metro Area

Born right in the heart of New York City after the Stonewall Riots, Pride began as a political demonstration to fight police discrimination and to voice the demands for equal rights of the LGBTQ+ community. In 1991, Pride began to grow and resemble what we know it to be today. While it continues to fight for LGBTQ+ rights, it also celebrates the progress we have made and the life of the unique individuals the community. It is critical to remember the origins of Pride, and to teach children the importance of Pride at NYC and New York metro area Pride events for families.

Celebratory and educational Pride events for the whole family take place throughout June, the official LGBT Pride Month, and we have found some of the best family-friendly Pride events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Rockland County, Westchester County, and Bergen County, NJ.
    

Family-Friendly Pride Events in Manhattan

Pride Cultural Festival: Children's Museum of the Arts
WHEN: Sunday, June 10, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village
AGES: All
WHAT: The museum will host special hands-on art workshops, performances, and educational programs celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in recognition of Pride month, with events hosted by 10-year-old drag kid Desmond Napoles, “Desmond is Amazing,” as CMA’s Pride Mayor.
WANT TO GO? $12. 212-274-0986. cmany.org. 

Pride Family Movie Night  
WHEN: Tuesday, June 19, Doors open at 6:30pm, movie starts at 8:30pm  
WHERE: Christopher Street Pier, Pier 45, Greenwich Village
AGES: All
WHAT: This year’s Family Movie Night is an outdoor screening of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Get there early to take part in Camp Highlight’s kid-friendly outdoor games before the movie starts!
WANT TO GO? Free and no tickets required; upgrades available starting at $25. nycpride.org.   

Pride Night at CMOM: Children's Museum of Manhattan
WHEN: Thursday, June 21, 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan invites you to a special after-hours event in celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer families, as well as LGBTQ adults with children in their lives. Enjoy an evening of family programming and explore all five floors of the museum.
WANT TO GO? Free. 212-721-1223. cmom.org. RSVP at eventbrite.com. 

Kidding Around Family Pride Picnic: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center
WHEN: Saturday, June 23, 11am-2pm
WHERE: The Church of St. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson St., Greenwich Village
AGES: All
WHAT: The center welcomes you for a summer in the city themed Family Pride Picnic featuring games, face painting, and a Kidding Around Concert with Grammy Award winner Fan Zanes with Claudia Eliaza in celebration of LGBTQ families and Pride.
WANT TO GO? Free with $20 suggested family donation. 212-620-7310. gaycenter.org/kiddingaround. 

Youth Pride
WHEN: Saturday, June 23, 12-6pm
WHERE: 14th Street Park, 14th Street between Tenth Avenue and West Side Highway, Meatpacking District  
AGES: 13-18
WHAT: Youth Pride is a space for LGBTQ+ and ally teens to celebrate Pride. You will find interactive experiences, games, and entertainment, featuring a live performance from youth superstar DJs Amira & Kayla as well as Bea Miller.
WANT TO GO? Free with registration. nycpride.org.

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Family-Friendly Pride Events in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Pride Day
WHEN: Saturday, June 9, 10am to evening
WHERE: Park Slope/Prospect Park area  
AGES: All
WHAT: For an all day Pride celebration in Brooklyn, kick off the day with a 5K Pride Run through Prospect Park at 10am. At 11am, head to 5th Avenue between 1st and 9th streets for a Multi-Cultural Festival for a cross-section of the borough’s business, community, and city-wide organizations. Next, enjoy a line up of Brooklyn’s best with on-stage entertainment from 12-5pm. Finish the day with the Twilight Parade beginning at 7:30pm, traveling from Lincoln Place to the corner of 9th Street and 5th Avenue.
WANT TO GO? Free to attend, fees apply to participate in the 5K run or any additional purchases. brooklynpride.org.

Drag Queen Story Hour at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
WHEN: Saturday, June 9, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: An interactive art and story time program, Drag Queen Story Hour celebrates the uniqueness of all kids and families.
WANT TO GO? $11. brooklynkids.org.

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Family-Friendly Pride Events on Long Island

Pride Carnival
WHEN: June 8-10: Friday, 6-10pm; Saturday, 1-10pm; Sunday, 12-6pm
WHERE: Long Beach, West Broadway and Riverside Boulevard, Long Beach  
AGES: All
WHAT: Visit the Newton Shows Carnival on Long Beach on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to ride your favorite thrills, grab a bite to eat on the midway, or play your favorite carnival game. Fun for the whole family, celebrate Pride with the raising of the rainbow flag or Pride Shabbat Service on Friday, a Family Fun Run or Pride Pet Parade on Saturday, or the 28^th Annual Pride Parade on Sunday (and many more events)!
WANT TO GO? 516-323-0011. prideonthebeach.org.    

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Family-Friendly Pride Events in Rockland County

20th Annual Rockland County Pride Sunday
WHEN: Sunday, June 10, 11am-5pm
WHERE: GARNER Historic District, 55 W. Railroad Ave., Garnerville
AGES: All
WHAT: Rockland County Pride Sunday continues its tradition of celebrating the LGBT communities. Featuring vendors, entertainment, youth activities, children’s activities, and more! The event is followed by Pride Wind Down from 5pm-9pm.
WANT TO GO? Free. 917-375-5320. rocklandpridecenter.org.

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Family-Friendly Pride Events in Bergen County, NJ

2018 North Jersey Pride Festival
WHEN: Sunday, June 10, 12-6pm
WHERE: Memorial Park Amphitheater, 161 Dunnell Road, Maplewood  
AGES: All
WHAT: After a one-year hiatus, North Jersey Pride is back for its biggest celebration yet! You will find a family-friendly festival, bringing together thousands from the LGBTQ+ community and allies from all over the state, to celebrate diversity, equality, and respect all day. Come and enjoy a live stage and a food court, as well as a Rainbow Kids Zone and live kids stage.
WANT TO GO? Free. 516-323-0011. northjerseypride.org.

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Family-Friendly Pride Events in Westchester County

Yonkers Pride
WHEN: Saturday, June 9, 2-8pm
WHERE: Main Street, between Warburton and Buena Vista, Yonkers
AGES: All
WHAT: Starting this year, Yonkers Pride joins one of the few LGBTQ+ events in Westchester County, attracting all from the community. The festival aims to produce an inclusive, secure, and fun event to promote freedom of expression, motivate activists, and to honor and celebrate the diversity of the Yonkers LGBTQ+ community, their families, and allies. You will find live music, a film festival, entertainment, food vendors, art, and more. Want more? Check out Yonkers Pride opening events on Saturday, June 8 for a Pride flag raising ceremony and waterfront live concert.
WANT TO GO? Free for general admission; additions and packages starting at $3. yonkerspride.org.

Pride Game at New York Liberty
WHEN: Sunday, June 10, Panel from 2-2:45pm, game at 3pm
WHERE: Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains   
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the LOFT LGBT Community Center at NY Liberty’s Pride event starting with a panel and discussion on coming out and family acceptance featuring members from LOFT. Then enjoy LOFT’s Pride Chorus singing the National Anthem before the game, which begins at 3pm sharp. The first 200 guests at the event can partake in a NOH8 photo  booth.
WANT TO GO? $12. 914-948-2932. liberty.wnba.com.

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Main image: Children's Museum of the Arts in Manhattan hosts a pride festival that features hands-on art workshops, performances, and educational programs celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Courtesy Children's Museum of the Arts