NYC West Indian Day Celebrations Start This Week: What To Know

NEW YORK, NY — New York City's West Indian American Day Parade has been canceled for the second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic; however, the festivities will continue on a much smaller scale.

"The New York Carnival festivities will continue in NYC with three-days of virtual celebrations and smaller in-person events from Sept. 2-5," NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday. "Things will look a little different this year, but we can still find ways to celebrate safely until we can all be together again."

Held for decades, the popular parade is New York City's version of the Carnival celebrations that take place throughout the Caribbean. Prior to the parade, a separate street party known as J'Ouvert has traditionally taken center stage.

J’Ouvert, which is French Creole for “dawn” or “daybreak,” usually begins at that time on Labor Day, and marks the beginning of a longer Carnival celebration. The J’Ouvert parade, which normally fills Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway with bright colors and energetic dancing in a celebration of Caribbean heritage, has also been canceled for the second year in a row.

“The J’Ouvert Parade will have to be postponed to next year as we continue to fight back the Delta variant in New York,” de Blasio tweeted. “It wasn’t an easy decision, but we know we will celebrate again in 2022, after we end the #COVID19 era once and for all.”

It will instead include walking tours of the neighborhood throughout the "cultural season," according to J'Ouvert City International President Yvette Rennie.

With the cancellations, New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo is advising the public to not host their own Carnival or J’Ouvert celebrations.

“We are strongly encouraging people not to try to have their own mini carnivals or their own mini-events or try to reproduce Carnival or J’Ouvert in your own way,” Cumbo said. “It’s important that you recognize that the best way to celebrate this year is to celebrate with your family and your friends – small gatherings.”

Here's a look at the West Indian Day celebration schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 2:
Vibes With Voicey

The celebration begins on Labor Day Thursday as VIBES WITH VOICEY kicks off at 4:00 pm at the Brooklyn Museum.Brooklyn Museum | 4:00 PM
Click To Purchase Your Tickets

Friday, Sept. 3:
Welcome Back!
A cultural/musical experience that incorporates musicians and artists from the entire diaspora. During this event we bring various genres of music to Brooklyn. Artists and DJs will be announced on a rolling basis and tickets are on sale. Brooklyn Museum | 7:00 PM Click To Purchase Your Tickets

Saturday, Sept. 4:
Virtual International Youth Fest
Live Stream Performances: www.carnival.nyc, YouTube, and Facebook. This year to ensure our youth are safe we will be hosting our Youth Fest virtually. An end of summer Caribbean Talent showcase promoting performing arts and cultural diversity where all performances are welcome.Live On carnival.nyc | YouTube | Facebook | 11:00 AM

Steel Pan Jamboree
This culturally enriching showcase is complete with live performances from steelbands, pan soloists, doubles, quartets and more. The audience will witness an immersive steel band experience with performances surrounding them on the lawn of the Brooklyn Museum.Brooklyn Museum | 7:00 PM Click To Purchase Your Tickets

Sunday, Sept. 5:
Amnesia
GAMEFACE Welcomes VALEVIBE & BLACK STAR ENT. We present to you AMNESIA The Reunion THE BREAKFAST PARTY! AMNESIA Will Now Be At The Historic BROOKLYN MUSEUM Labor Day Sunday September 5th BREAKFAST SERVED from 8am to 12pm! Beautiful People, HottestDJs, Best Drinks, Good Food, Plenty Vibes. Get Your Tickets And Get Ready For The Fun. Brought To You By GAMEFACE The Love Promotion Have Fun Live Young.Brooklyn Museum | 8:00 AM Click To Purchase Your Tickets

Monday, Sept. 6:
Labor Day Monday Carnival "Jus' Like Mas" Powered by NY Carnival
"MAS" is the shortened form of the word "MASQUERADE". This year we are doing it "Jus' Like Mas'' with the ultimate Labor Day Monday experience. Get your costumes because the bands are coming! The road experience is coming to the Brooklyn Museum with premium drinks and lots of beautiful Mas wear. All participants and guests are invited to come costume ready with their Monday wear. Included in the ticket are drinks, music trucks, international DJS and live performances for the greatest Caribbean artists.Brooklyn Museum | 11:00 AM Click To Purchase Your Tickets

Find out more information about all the events here.