Shoppers, neighbours and visitors are gearing up as Pride returns to New Hope, PA and Lambertville, NJ for May 9–17 , a nine-day festival called Pride IN FULL COLOR that mixes art, activism and plenty of celebration, and matters because it’s both joyful pageantry and a pointed statement in today’s political moment.

Essential Takeaways

  • Dates and scope: PrideFest runs May 9–17, with the parade, Pride Fair and PrideFest Live! on Saturday, May 16.
  • Flagship events: Opening Flag Unfurling, Pride Opening Tea Dance, Pride with Purpose panel, Love Is Love Gala, Pride Bingo and the closing parade and fair.
  • Notable performers: Crystal Waters and Vincint headline the live festival music, with the parade led by pageant winner Athena Chanteuse.
  • Art and community: A new Progress-flag-inspired street mural is planned for West Mechanic Street, created by a former New Hope Celebrates board member.
  • Practical vibe: Events blend high-glam fundraising and intimate community moments , expect art auctions, experience packages, family-friendly fair stalls and plenty of colour.

Pride returns with a purpose and a party

There’s a bright, buzzy feel to this year’s theme: Pride IN FULL COLOR. Melissa Patterson, president of New Hope Celebrates, says it’s meant to be “fully in your face” , a plain declaration that the community is visible, present and not retreating. That mix of defiance and delight is exactly the mood you’ll find walking the streets between Lambertville and New Hope in May.

The festival starts gently with a Flag Unfurling Ceremony and builds through talks, dances and arts events. It’s helpful to know the programme if you want a quieter cultural experience one day and full-on party the next.

Nine days that balance art, activism and fundraising

New Hope Celebrates has long connected arts programming with Pride, and this year’s calendar leans into that. The Love Is Love Gala at River House at Odette’s returns as an elegant highlight, pairing a live fashion show and buffet with an art auction and special experiences like river cruises and tasting menus.

Jason Chun, a board member involved in planning, emphasises inclusivity , the festival aims to show “all of the colours in the Pride flag.” For anyone choosing between events, the gala is where donors and art lovers mix, while the Pride Fair and parade are better for families and casual visitors.

A focus on stories that matter: Pride with Purpose

Not everything is confetti and glitter. On May 12, Pride with Purpose examines the experiences of LGBTQ+ immigrants in the US , a timely discussion given the wider political landscape. That mix of celebration and sober conversation is a smart move: festivals that pair joy with civic engagement tend to feel deeper and more resilient.

If you want to engage, arrive early and check the schedule on the New Hope Celebrates website so you don’t miss panels or speaker sessions that have limited seating.

Parade, pageant and public art , the visual heart of the festival

Saturday, May 16 is the showstopper. The parade begins in Lambertville, crosses the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge and finishes in New Hope with a 100-foot Pride flag carried along the route. Athena Chanteuse, this year’s pageant winner, will lead the procession.

Keep an eye out for the new street mural on West Mechanic Street , a five-year project now approved by the borough council and intended to debut for Pride. It riffs on the Progress Pride Flag and even includes a finish-line motif to echo the town’s drag race culture. Public art like this turns an annual festival into a year-round landmark.

Where to go, what to bring, and how to make the most of it

Plan for crowds on the weekend and dress for comfort , sensible shoes for cobbles and a light layer for riverside breezes. If you want to bid at the gala auction, register beforehand and arrive with any payment details ready; experience packages can be the best finds. Families should check the Pride Fair listings for kid-friendly vendors and quieter windows during the day.

Follow @newhopecelebrates and visit newhopecelebrates.com for full timetables and vendor lists. Bring water, an open mind, and a camera , the colours are worth it.

It's a small change that can make every moment of Pride feel louder, brighter and more intentional.

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