NEW YORK — New York City’s annual West Indian American Day Carnival and Parade takes over the streets of Brooklyn this Labor Day.

We will tell you everything you need to know about the route, road closures, the start and the significance of the festival.

Map shows the route of the West Indian Day Parade 2024

The parade runs along Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, starting at Utica Avenue near Lincoln Terrace Park and then heading west to Grand Army Plaza near the Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park.

The route stretches for about three kilometers along Park Street and usually attracts more than a million spectators.

The NYPD announces strong police presencewith 13 security checkpoints and drones in the air. They are also working with local religious leaders and crisis management groups to ensure security.

Street closures due to West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn

Due to the celebrations, the following streets will be closed on Sunday and Monday.

• Grand Army Plaza (entire circle)
• Buffalo Avenue between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue
• Rochester Avenue between East New York Avenue and Sterling Place
• Ralph Avenue between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue
• East New York Avenue between Howard Avenue and Utica Avenue
• Eastern Parkway between Howard Avenue and Grand Army Plaza
• Washington Avenue between Sterling Place and Lincoln Road
• Flatbush Avenue between Grand Army Plaza and Caton Avenue
• Ocean Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Parkside Avenue
• Butler Place between Grand Army Plaza and Sterling Place
• St. Johns Place between Underhill Avenue and Grand Army Plaza
• Rockaway Parkway between East New York Avenue and Rutland Road
• Parkside Avenue between Park Circle and Flatbush Avenue
• Bedford Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Empire Boulevard
• Empire Boulevard between Flatbush Avenue and Nostrand Avenue
• Nostrand Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Linden Boulevard
• Lincoln Place between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue

When does the NYC West Indian Day Parade start?

The parade began at 10 a.m. on September 2, following the pre-dawn celebration known as J’Ouvert, which takes place each year on Labor Day, the first Monday in September.

Last year’s event attracted a large crowd of spectators Recording of the colorful costumestasty food and Sounds of Calypso and Steelpan bands.

This year’s parade is expected to last several hours and end around 6 p.m.

What does J’Ouvert mean?

J’Ouvert is the early morning celebration that takes place before the parade each year. It started before sunrise, around 6 a.m., but some festivities began as early as Sunday evening.

The name is derived from the French words “jour ouvert,” which means daybreak or morning.

J’Ouvert marks the beginning of Carnival, a festival celebrating the vast Caribbean diaspora with street music, dancing and more.

Appreciation of West Indian countries and culture

The West Indies consist of three parts: the Greater Antilles, which include Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico; the Lesser Antilles, which include the Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia, Barbados and Grenada, among others; and the Archipelago, which includes the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Aruba.

The pride of the Caribbean was on display all weekend long, kicking off with a Junior Carnival for children on Saturday morning, followed by the annual Panorama Steelpan Festivalthe largest steelpan competition in North America.