NEW HOPE, PA — Color, music, and community will take over the Delaware River towns this May as New Hope and Lambertville join forces for a nine-day PrideFest celebration expected to draw more than 15,000 visitors.
PrideFest 2026, running May 9 through May 17, transforms the neighboring towns into one of the region’s earliest and most vibrant Pride celebrations, bringing together residents and visitors for a packed schedule of events under this year’s theme, “Pride IN FULL COLOR.”
At the heart of the celebration is a one-of-a-kind spectacle: the nation’s only Pride parade to cross a state line. The parade will travel from Lambertville, New Jersey into New Hope, Pennsylvania, led by a striking 100-foot rainbow flag carried across the iconic bridge connecting the two communities.
The festival builds momentum throughout the week with a diverse mix of events designed for all ages and interests. Families can enjoy Drag Queen Story Hour at the Free Library of New Hope & Solebury, while community-focused gatherings like Pride with Purpose offer space for conversation and connection. Evening highlights include Pride Bingo, the Love Is Love Gala, and a high-energy Saturday Night Dance Party.
Saturday’s Pride Parade and Pride Fair anchor the weekend, followed by PrideFest Live!, where headliners Crystal Waters and Philadelphia-born artist Vincint will take the stage. Waters, a global dance music icon known for hits like “100% Pure Love,” and Vincint, a rising queer pop artist with national recognition, headline a day filled with live entertainment, local vendors, and community celebration.
The festival wraps up Sunday with a Closing Tea Dance and Pool Party, offering one final chance to celebrate alongside friends, neighbors, and visitors.
“I am grateful for the history, the people and their stories that make New Hope and Lambertville a community where queer people are not just accepted, but celebrated,” said New Hope Celebrates President Melissa Patterson. “Pride IN FULL COLOR honors that legacy and shines a light on every shade of who we were, who we are and who we will continue to be.”
Beyond the festivities, PrideFest also supports local businesses and organizations, including a month-long Pride-themed cocktail contest across more than a dozen area bars and restaurants, encouraging visitors to explore the region while celebrating.
Event Details
- What: PrideFest 2026 – New Hope Celebrates
- When: May 9–17, 2026 (select events begin May 1)
- Where: New Hope, PA and Lambertville, NJ (parade crosses New Hope-Lambertville Bridge)
- Cost/Tickets: Varies by event; many events are free and open to the public
- More Info: https://newhopecelebrates.com
With its signature cross-state parade, star-studded performances, and a full calendar of events, PrideFest 2026 invites everyone to come together, celebrate openly, and experience the energy that defines these riverfront communities.
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