The West-Indian American Day Parade is New York City's largest parade, attracting over 2 million visitors each year.
With fanfare ranging from elaborate rainbow-colored costumes and live performances to huge sound trucks and delicious food from various Caribbean islands, the extravaganza is held annually in Brooklyn to celebrate Caribbean-American culture. Patriotic parade-goers wave their countries' flags, and the scene, though crowded, is 100% festive.
Celebrations for the Labor Day event start days before the parade and include live steel drum music acts and various other cultural activities.
West Indian-American Day Basics- Location: The parade begins at the corner of Utica Avenue and Eastern Parkway and ends near Grand Army Plaza. Arrive early to secure a spot: Crowds are inevitable! Live performers will be stationed in front of the Brooklyn library, and a good viewing point is between the Brooklyn Museum and Grand Army Plaza. See below for information on other Carnival events.
- Date: Labor Day (Monday, September 7), 11am to 6pm
- Phone: (718) 467-1797
- Website
- Saturday, September 5: Steel Band Panorama at 7:00pm at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
- Monday, September 7: J'ouvert Parade at 4am at Eastern Parkway and Flatbush Avenue; Carnival Parade from 11am to 6pm (begins at Utica Avenue and Eastern Parkway)
