Time to party island-style, Brooklyn! Expect thousands of people this Labor Day for J'Ouvert and the 57th Annual West Indian Day Parade: A spectacular carnival celebration of Caribbean history, culture, music, food and people.
There are a slew of events and activities celebrating Caribbean culture happening all weekend.
Friday, Aug. 30
SOCAFEST
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
8:00pm to 3:00am
There are over a dozen artists performing at the museum, including Nomcebo Zikode, Patrice Roberts and Mical Teja. Tickets can be purhcased here.
Saturday, Aug. 31
Junior Carnival
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
9:00am to 3:00pm.
This carnival is a vibrant and joyous celebration that brings together children and families for a day of fun and excitement. Held annually, this event transforms the neighborhood into a carnival wonderland with colorful parades, lively music and a variety of engaging activities. Tickets can be purchased here.
New York Panorama
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
Show starts at 7:00pm
The Brooklyn Panorama competition in New York is one of the largest steelpan competitions in the United States with roots that trace back to the birthplace of the steelpan, Trinidad and Tobago. New York is also the diasporic landing zone of steelpan into America. Traditions and customs of New York’s Panorama, such as the rules for the competition, arrangements and style of music performed, and performing forces that compete, are similar to the Panorama competition that takes place in Trinidad every year during Carnival. Get your tickets here.
Sunday, Sept. 1
Reggae Icons SIZZLA, SPRAGGA BENZ + YG Marley
Brooklyn Musuem, 200 Eastern Parkway
4:00pm to 11:00pm
Don't miss Sizzla Kalonji's first U.S. live band performace as he reconnects with his dancehall & reggae music fans! Plus, there's a performance by Spragga Benz. Both musicians are backed by The Firehouse Band, and they are live, with special guest YG Marley. There will also be music spun by DJ Stakz, Kevin Crown & Noah Powa. Get your tickets here.
Monday, Sept. 2
Grand Army Plaza at Flatbush Avenue
6:00am
Ahead of the West Indian Day Parade is J'Ouvert, which comes from the French word for daybreak. J'Ouvert celebrates the end of slavery in the Caribbean and the impact of Caribbean culture in the U.S. This year, the J'Ouvert parade starts at Flatbush Avenue near the Brooklyn Museum. It goes south to Empire Boulevard, then to Nostrand Avenue and ends at Midwood Street.
Starts at Lincoln Terrace Park, Eastern Parkway at Rochster Avenue
11:00am
The high-energy parade will kick off at 11:00am from Lincoln Terrace Park in Crown Heights and heads west along Eastern Parkway, ending in front of the Brooklyn Museum, where there will be a stage for presentations, costume competitions and performances.
