Labor Day weekend and the joyful West Indian American Day Parade are back to signal the end of summer on Monday. There’s also no shortage of things to do all weekend — and before the kids, finally, go back to school on Thursday.
The NYC Unicycle Festival pedals through Brooklyn on Friday, riding from the Brooklyn Bridge to Coney Island. Stick around afterwards for the final Friday Night Fireworks for the season.
Saturday, you can kick back and enjoy the Brooklyn Oyster Fest at Bk Backyard Bar. Also, Junior Carnival takes place during the day at the Brooklyn Museum to celebrate all things Caribbean for kids and families. Come back that night as the museum hosts New York Carnival Panorama 2024, one of the country’s largest steel-pan competitions this side of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Soca Run Festival 5K kicks things off bright and early on Sunday and Newtown Radio celebrates 15 years on the air at Xanadu that night.
The 57th Annual New York Carnival Parade begins on Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights at 11 a.m., but get there early for a good spot. (Or get there really early for the J’Ouvert celebrations at 6 a.m.)
Here’s your round-up of the best in the borough this Labor Day Weekend.
Friday, August 30
U.S. Open 2024: Where to watch in Brooklyn
Various times and locations
The U.S. Open might be in Queens, but there’s no reason to leave Brooklyn to watch it. All matches will be airing live on ESPN and ESPN2 with the men’s final set to air live on ABC for the first time. We found some bars showing the action, ranging from South to North Brooklyn.
Labor Day weekend cruises
Various times and locations
Set sail into fall on one of this weekend’s many Labor Day boat parties:
- All-White Attire Labor Party
- Risky Yacht Party: Hip-Hop Vs Afro-Caribbean Edition
- Labor Day Weekend All-White Yacht Party
NYC Unicycle Festival
2 to 6 p.m.
The 15th annual Unicycle Festival returns this weekend. The Brooklyn stop on their four-day cycling fest will take you on a long-distance ride from Brooklyn Bridge to Coney Island. Starting on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll unicycle through Downtown Brooklyn to Prospect Park for a rest stop. Then the ride crosses the highway and glides down Ocean Parkway to Coney Island where you can hop on the Wonder Wheel or down some glizzies. Check the route map here. Meet the unicycling caravan outside New York City Hall (across the street from the Manhattan entrance to The Brooklyn Bridge).
DOPE BBQ x 50 Cent: The Real NY
3 to 10 p.m.
Held at Coney Island Art Walls, DOPE BBQ returns to Brooklyn with a party that will make you sweat (and give you the meat sweats). 50 Cent will headline the event, which features a roster of musical guests, DJs and surprises. There will also be plenty of barbecue … and a few open bars. 3050 Stillwell Avenue. Tickets start at $65.
Vanderbilt Avenue Open Streets
Every weekend through September
Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 12 to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m.
Vanderbilt Avenue’s Open Streets in Prospect Heights has activities and art for the entire community, including recurring programs like Skate Everything Skate School, Salsa Salsa Dance Studio, Shambhala Yoga & Dance Center and New York Blood Center blood drives, and more. Vanderbilt Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Park Place. Free.
Second City Presents: Ruthless Acts of Kindness
7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday
The Second City improv institution opened their new outpost in Brooklyn this year — their first-ever in New York — and they’re performing “Ruthless Acts of Kindness” on Saturday night. The show is a hilarious romp through the most perilous dilemma of the modern era: Dealing with Other People. 64 N 9th Street. Ticket prices vary.
The Final Friday Night Fireworks at Coney Island
9:30 p.m.
Kick off your Labor Day weekend with Luna Park’s dazzling and free fireworks show. It’s the last show of the season, so who knows, maybe they’ll pull out all the stops? For the best views, stand on the Boardwalk between West 10th Street and West 23rd Street. Free.
Saturday, August 31
S2O New York
Saturday and Sunday
An immersive water music festival is coming to Brooklyn this weekend. S20 Festival is one of the world’s biggest Songkran/Thai New Year celebrations, producing events in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam, and now Brooklyn! The Brooklyn Mirage plays host to the inaugural festival with headliners Marshmello and Subtronics. 140 Stewart Avenue. Various ticket prices.
New York Junior Carnival 2024
9 a.m.
West Indian American Day Carnival Association hosts the Junior Carnival at the Brooklyn Museum on Saturday. This day of celebrating all things Caribbean includes live performances and the coronation of the Junior King and Queen. The family-friendly event features a back-to-school giveaway, and there’s also a parade that assembles at Kingston Avenue and St. John’s Place. 200 Eastern Parkway. Tickets are $12.04.
2024 Wildflower Festival
1 to 4 p.m.
The end of August is a glorious time at Shirley Chisholm State Park, filled with blooming sunflowers, goldenrods, black-eyed Susans and other wildflowers that attract pollinators and birds who are getting ready for fall and winter. Close out the summer by stopping by the Wildflower Festival for a day in the sun with some of fall’s most beautiful blooms. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue. Free.
The 6th Annual Brooklyn Oyster Fest
3 to 5 p.m.
The 6th Annual Brooklyn Oyster Fest is back on Saturday at Bk Backyard Bar. Tickets include unlimited oysters from local vendors and a complimentary Heineken Silver beer. 86 N 11th Street. Tickets are $55.20.
Arlo After Dark Presents Labor Day Weekend
6 p.m.
Celebrate Labor Day Weekend at ART Williamsburg on Saturday evening. Experience the unmatched vibes with tracks to keep you dancing all night long from Trachstar, Lazarus, and Fred set against the Manhattan skyline. Arlo Williamsburg, 96 Wythe Avenue. RSVPs are encouraged.
New York Carnival Panorama 2024
7 p.m.
The New York Panorama competition takes place on Saturday night at the Brooklyn Museum. Panorama is one of the largest steel-pan competitions in the United States with roots tracing back to Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of the steel-pan. The competition borrows its traditions from the Panorama event that takes place in Trinidad every year during Carnival. 200 Eastern Parkway. Tickets are $48.97.
Sunday, September 1
Soca Run Festival 5K
8 a.m.
The Soca Run Festival 5K channels the energy and music of the Caribbean carnival into a race. The event is for all ages and families who can walk or run to the finish line where each participant will receive a finish time and commemorative medal. Soca runners will enjoy a post-run fete where your all-inclusive registration grants you access to small bites, refreshments, and a special appearance by Shal Marshall. The starting line is at Lowry Triangle, 596 Washington Avenue and the finishing line is at 143 Thames Street. Registration is $60 for adults and free for those 18 and under.
BLUE at Under the K Bridge
2 p.m.
BLUE is a 10-hour open-air festival taking place at the Creekside waterfront stage Under the K Bridge. The festival blends various house music styles for an energetic dance experience led by DJs Shimza, Spencer Brown, and Desert Heart legends Lee Reynolds b2b Mikey Lion. 520 Stewart Avenue. Tickets are 33.49.
Newtown Radio 15th Anniversary Party
8 p.m.
Lace-up at Xanadu and bounce to the beats from Newtown Radio DJs Strangers, FLWRSHRK, Like That Records and Dele at their 15th-anniversary party. The entire Newtown DJ crew will be there so don’t miss out. 262 Starr Street. Tickets are $18.54.
Monday, September 2
J’Ouvert
6 a.m.
Ahead of the annual West Indian American Day Carnival, J’Ouvert signals the start of Carnival. The phrase originates from the French words “jour ouvert,” meaning daybreak, and has its roots in the emancipation of enslaved people in the Caribbean. Festivities begin at 6 a.m. with steel-pan bands, folkloric costumes — especially of the Jab Molassie character, who sports devil horns — and the ritualistic smearing of bodies with paint and motor oil. Grand Army Plaza. Free.
The 57th Annual New York Carnival Parade
11 a.m.
Every Labor Day, The West Indian American Day Carnival Association throws one of NYC’s biggest celebrations on Eastern Parkway. This year’s theme is “The Evolution,” and on Monday, you’ll find thousands of Brooklynites of Caribbean descent parading in gorgeous, colorful displays of original outfits, costumes and floats. The parade, which attracts upwards of two million attendees, marches on Eastern Parkway from Utica Avenue to Grand Army Plaza. Free.
Gyalifest: 3rd Annual Labor Day Fete
5 p.m.
Gyalifest takes place after the big parade on Eastern Parkway at 3 Dollar Bill and invites women to dance, connect and celebrate their unique identities and cultures. The fest will be filled with the vibrant sounds of dancehall, soca and other Caribbean music. 260 Meserole Street. Tickets are $29.79.
HARD FETE | Queeribbean Labor Day Carnival
10 p.m.
Keep the Caribbean celebrations going late into Monday at The Brooklyn Monarch’s HARD FETE | Queeribbean Labor Day Carnival. Organizers are declaring Labor Day for “the beautiful queer revelers of the Caribbean and we’re bringing you the HARDEST FETE that you will not forget.” Bring your crew, your flags and wear the best costume you’ve got to shake ya ass in all night 23 Meadow Street. Tickets are $19.57.
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