The West Indian Day Parade and Carnival, the culmination of New York Caribbean Carnival Week, is consistently one of the best things to do over the summer. The event draws close to two million people, so yeah, you could consider this the most exciting Labor Day Parade NYC offers. Spend Saturday and Sunday milking what's left of summer at one of New York's beaches then use Monday to fully immerse yourself in rich Caribbean culture and heritage. It’s bound to be one of the best summer parties in New York this year.
FAQs
1) When is the West Indian Day Parade?
The West Indian Day Parade is on Monday, September 2, 2024 (Labor Day). Times haven't been announced for 2024 yet, but the march typically starts at 11 am.
2) Where is the West Indian Day Parade?
During the seven-hour New York carnival, steel-pan and calypso bands in elaborate costumes march down Eastern Parkway, and vendors sell homestyle island grub along the route in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The 2024 route hasn't been announced yet, but the parade usually starts at Schenectady Avenue and ends at Grand Army Plaza.
3) What can you do before the West Indian Day Parade?
The pre-parade parties begin at 6 am with J’ouvert (daybreak in French), an irreverent festival held before the parade.
4) What happens during the West Indian Day Parade?
The procession always features skin feathers and sequins with flags and music that celebrate the heritage of Trinidad and Tobago Haiti Barbados Dominica Saint Lucia Jamaica Saint Vincent and Grenada Guyana Suriname and Belize among others. Revelers often dress up as political figures or celebrities and throw powdered paint at each other while steel drums and whistles provide the celebratory soundtrack. Look out for food vendors offering traditional dishes.
5) How to Celebrate the West Indian Day Parade
Embrace the spirit of the Caribbean with these quirky and playful suggestions for celebrating the West Indian Day Parade:
- Become a Steelpan Star for a Day
- Dawn-to-Dusk Dance-a-thon
- Culinary Costume Craziness
- Powder Paint Picasso
- Don sequins feathers
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Eastern Parkway, Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY, United States