New York Caribbean Carnival guide

Everything for Labor Day carnival in Brooklyn, all year round: the fete calendar, the parade, J'ouvert, Panorama, mas bands and how to enjoy it safely.

The carnival weekend, traditionally

• Junior Carnival: the children's parade and costume competition, held the weekend before Labor Day.
• Panorama: the steel band competition, traditionally on the Saturday before Labor Day near the Brooklyn Museum.
• Dimanche Gras: the Sunday-night show of calypso, kings and queens of the bands.
• J'ouvert: pre-dawn Monday, with paint, powder, mud, steel pan and jab jab.
• The parade: Labor Day afternoon, with mas bands and trucks along Eastern Parkway toward Grand Army Plaza.

Exact dates and locations change from year to year. Always confirm with WIADCA.

Fetes and soca events coming up

• Nov7

  Soca vs Reggae

  Sat, Nov 7, 10:00 PM · 177 2nd Ave, Brooklyn · Brooklyn

  Soca and reggae party.

• Nov13

  The Soca Room

  Fri, Nov 13, 9:00 PM · 1080 Broadway, Brooklyn · Brooklyn

  A night of soca music at a Brooklyn venue on Broadway.

• Nov14

  Scorpio SZN Caribbean Saturdays at Kiss Lounge

  Sat, Nov 14, 8:00 PM · Kiss Entertainment, Queens · Queens

  Scorpio-season edition of a Queens Caribbean Saturday party with soca, reggae and hip hop.

• Nov20

  This Is a SOCA Party: Brooklyn 3-Year Anniversary

  Fri, Nov 20, 11:00 PM · Aura Cocina, Brooklyn · Brooklyn

  The Brooklyn soca party series marks its third anniversary with a late-night fete.

• Nov27

  Soca District: Private Ryan & Friends

  Fri, Nov 27, 10:00 PM · Tropical Paradise Ballroom, Brooklyn · Brooklyn

  Thanksgiving-weekend soca fete featuring DJ Private Ryan and guests.

• Nov28

  HEAT WAVE: Thanksgiving Weekend Reggae, Soca & Afrobeats Party

  Sat, Nov 28, 10:00 PM · HK Hall, New York · Manhattan

  A Thanksgiving Saturday party mixing reggae, soca and Afrobeats.

• Dec18

  Reggae and Soca Fridays at Jouvay

  Fri, Dec 18, 9:00 PM · Jouvay Night Club, Queens · Queens

  A pre-Christmas Friday night of reggae and soca at a Queens Caribbean club.

Full events calendar → · Promoters: add your fete

Mas bands, steel bands and sound systems

Run a mas band, steel orchestra or mas camp? Add it to the directory so revelers can find you before registration opens.

J'ouvert and parade safety tips

• Go with a group and agree on a meeting spot. Phone service gets weak in the crowd.
• Expect security checkpoints. Leave glass bottles and anything you'd hate to lose at home.
• Bring water, sunscreen, a small amount of cash and a charged phone.
• Wear old clothes and closed shoes for J'ouvert. Paint and mud don't come out.
• Check MTA service changes before you travel. Some stations along the route may be closed or busy.