Asbury Park Bear Invasion 2026

Asbury Park Bear Invasion 2026

Here come the bears, cubs, lovers, admirers and everyone between for the annual Bear Invasion of Asbury Park.

• Visiting Asbury Park? Stay at The Asbury, a charming 4 star hotel with a great location, beautifully decorated rooms, a stunning rooftop pool and steps from the beach.

The Bear Invasion

• Next Edition: Friday July 31st, 2026 – Monday August 3rd, 2026.
• Are you ready for some bear loving fun at Asbury Park beach? Besides the beach and bars (Club Paradise, Georgie's  just to name a few). Daddy Ersin will present two signature parties, RAM and Plunge Pool Party.
• So travel on down to the Jersey Shore for a good ole bear loving time.
• There will be muscle bears on the beach, polar Bears in the pool, cubs on Cookman Ave. otters from out of town, chasers, admirers, friends and even the occasional Goldilocks or two.

The Parties

• Friday – Events kick off with the Welcome Tea Dance at the Empress hotel from 5 pm to 9 pm followed by a special edition of Furball at Paradise Club from 10 pm.
• Saturday – Highlights include the annual Plunge Pool party at the Paradise Beach Club, from 12pm to 6pm followed by the RAM Party at Paradise  Club from 10pm until closing.
• Sunday –  Bears on the beach, Bear Invasion at the Ashbury Park Beach bar,  from 12 pm to 5 pm, Bear Market Day from 12 to 8pm, at Cooper bar and the closing Tea Dance from 5 pm to 9 pm at Empress hotel.

The Venue

• Paradise Asbury Park is located in the famous Empress hotel and is at the heart of the Asbury Gay Scene.
• It is New Jersey’s Ultimate Club complex with 2 dance rooms, martini lounge, hotel, heated pool, 2 tiki bars and a state of the art sound & visual system.

Asbury Park

• Asbury Park NJ is known for being a top tourist destination for LGBT tourists and for its tight-knit supportive gay community.  This beautiful town located on New Jersey’s central coast only has a population of 16,116 but the numbers swell to thousands in the summer.
• The area boasts a beautiful old boardwalk and an orchestra pavilion that dates back to the 1870s.  Many of the older hotels, amusement parks and attractions from the 1800s and 1900s have been restored, replicated or integrated into newer sturdier architecture which gives this entire are a unique Victorian charm all of its own.
• When a town is located on the shore, you have to go the beaches. Asbury Park has you covered for a nice dip in the ocean, unless, that is, you prefer your dips uncovered. In that case, Asbury Park has Gunnison Beach (New Jersey’s Only clothing optional beach) for those that are truly uninhibited.
• In addition to these attractions, there are over 60 restaurants, bars, live venues, and facilities to enjoy in Asbury Park, not to mention surfing and other outdoor activities.

Where to stay in Asbury Park

For more on gay Asbury Park, including the best gay bars, clubs and places to stay check our insider guide.

The following hotels are popular with our readers. All are close to the Bear Weekend parties:

Asbury Ocean Club,  Majestic Hotel,  Saltwater Inn,  The Ocean Plaza Hotel