Though Carnival is celebrated across the Caribbean diaspora, in Brooklyn, it has exploded into a multi-day celebration of French- and English-speaking Caribbean music, food, and culture, culminating in a Labor Day parade on Eastern Parkway that's preceded by a party called J'ouvert until dawn. But because Brooklyn's Carnival is often "marred by violence," as , NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch promised "the largest police deployment of the year" at a Saturday press conference alongside Mayor Eric Adams.
The celebration, which caps off a weekend-long carnival, transforms Eastern Parkway into a vibrant showcase of Caribbean culture, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors. Beyond the parade, the city is alive with parties, live performances, rooftop gatherings, and family-friendly activities that reflect the diversity and dynamism of New York. This year's Labor Day is not just about honoring the contributions of workers but also about celebrating community and togetherness across every borough.
Families, fans, and book lovers of all ages filled the library, listening attentively as the 2024 WNBA Finals MVP and Bahamian native read from her two favorite books, "I am My Caribbean Culture" by Malissa Y. Saul-Angus and "Hello Grandma" by Robert E. Constant, inspiring her young fans to explore the joy of reading, and anecdotes about her family visits in the Bahamas.
Boston Carnival celebrated its 52nd year this weekend, starting off with the vibrant J'Ouvert parade beginning at sunrise on Saturday. The day-long event aims to honor Caribbean culture, featuring a second parade in the afternoon, traditional performances, vibrant costumes, and lively music. Pedro Diaz marches with dancers from the Dominican Republic during the annual Caribbean Carnival Parade which was held on the streets of Roxbury and Dorchester on Saturday afternoon, ending up at Franklin Park.
Thousands of musicians, dancers and elaborate costumes filled Lakeshore Boulevard on Saturday for the Grande Parade of the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival. The parade is the highlight of the weeks-long festival, which is hosting a few more events this month.
This country is about 250 years old and has a long history of failing to live up to its ideals - that diverse people should be included and treated equally.