Montclair Pride Fest is not happening on June 13, as originally announced. If you had that Saturday marked on your calendar, the organizers say the plan is to move it to August 1. The fifth anniversary celebration is aiming to be at Lackawanna Plaza.
Why the Postponement?
Out Montclair, the grassroots, volunteer-led nonprofit that organizes and funds the festival, announced the postponement last week. Three things converged at once, they said.
Event production costs are up, a trend hitting Pride organizations across the country this year. Corporate sponsorship is down, also a national pattern. And then there is the World Cup: opening day at MetLife Stadium falls on June 13, the day of the original festival date.
Out Montclair is responsible for funding all municipal services required to safely run a large outdoor event, including police coverage, emergency medical services, fire safety personnel, sanitation and traffic management. According to Out Montclair, this year, the public safety demands of the World Cup in the region meant those commitments had to be secured much earlier than in prior years, compressing an already difficult timeline.
The organization could not close the funding gap in time for June.
In a statement, Out Montclair president and co-founder Reubena Spence said the decision came down to keeping the event accessible. “We made the conscious decision to keep Montclair Pride free rather than shifting these costs onto attendees through admission fees,” Spence said in the organization’s press release. “While postponing the festival was a difficult decision, we believe it is the responsible one.”
To reduce costs, the organization moved the festival to Lackawanna Station, lowering anticipated public safety and operational expenses. It also brought on new sponsors: MM by Morimoto, the restaurant from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, signed on as a presenting sponsor, while Valley Bank and The MC Hotel increased their existing support. Longtime sponsors including Montclair State University, Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center and Porta Montclair remain on board.
What the Postponement Means for Vendors
For vendors who had already committed to June 13, the news came with real costs attached.
In an email, organizers from Out Montclair acknowledged directly that vendors had already spent money, scheduled staff and ordered merchandise. They apologized. “We are already working with Township officials and public safety partners to begin planning for the new date,” the email read, with permit details and equipment rental information to follow. The language suggests the August 1 date is still in its early planning stages, with full township sign-off, permits and logistics not yet locked in.
The Montclair Pod was among the vendors who had committed to June 13, paying $584 for a table, buying supplies and planning to record live segments at the festival. The new date presents a scheduling conflict for them, and they’re likely not the only ones. “These things happen,” Farnoosh said. But while The Montclair Pod won’t be there in person, we will keep following the story and share updates as the August date takes shape.
What to Expect at Montclair Pride Fest on August 1
The event runs from noon to 8 p.m. at Lackawanna Station. Out Montclair is planning two stages, a main stage on Grove Street and a spotlight stage on Bloomfield Avenue, a family zone, 150-plus vendors, food trucks, and beer and beverage gardens. Admission is free.
To make August 1 happen, Out Montclair needs community support. The organization has an active GoFundMe campaign to help cover remaining costs. Every dollar goes directly toward required safety expenses. Donate or share the campaign at gofundme.com/f/save-montclair-pride-2026.
For updates, follow Out Montclair at instagram.com/outmontclair or visit outmontclair.org
Image credit: Out Monclair
