J'Ouvert and West Indian American Day Carnival

Poster for J'Ouvert, showing multiple participants in colorful clothes and another with her face painted. Text reads: J'Overt, a public street festival, is a Caribbean tradition that occurs in the early morning hours leading up to the West Indian Day Carnival.

Poster featuring a sketch of the J'Ouvert parade route and two groups of women participants, all dressed festively in bright colors and headdresses. It details a 6 am start time and advises that the parade route will include officers and lighting. The NYPD will screen for alcohol and weapons upon entering.

A man wearing sunglasses has part of his face and his clothing covered in pink dye. He's holding a giant conch shell, also dyed in multi-colors, up to his mouth in preparation to blow through it and make a noise like a horn. The text asks participants to celebrate Caribbean pride, culture and heritage, and to keep J'Ouvert safe.

A Brief History

The name J'Ouvert originates from the French words "jour ouvert," meaning daybreak or morning, and signals the start of Carnival. Carnival is the traditional street festival honoring the vast heritage and culture of the Caribbean diaspora.

Steel band music is the dominating sound of J'Ouvert as revelers take to the street wining and chipping their way in the early hours before the daytime West Indian Day Carnival.

History of J'Ouvert

Full Celebration Has Returned

The City of New York, with Mayor Eric L. Adams, and the New York City Police Department are partnering for a safe Labor Day Weekend.

Marking the second year that the festivities are in person, we are back in full force celebrating Caribbean heritage and culture. From the early morning celebrations of J'Ouvert to the midday festivities of the West Indian American Day Carnival, we encourage New Yorkers to come out and celebrate Caribbean pride alongside us.

J'Ouvert 2023

Tribute to the "World Steelpan Day" August 11th as declared by the United Nations
September 4th 6:00am – 11:00am, Brooklyn NY

For more information on this year's J'Ouvert Celebration, including route and other festivities, please see the website below from J'Ouvert City International: https://www.facebook.com/Jouvertcity.

New York West Indian American Day Carnival 2023

August 31st – September 4th New York City Carnival Festivities

West Indian American Day Carnival September 4th 11am - 6pm, Brooklyn, NY
For more information on this year's NYC Carnival Celebration, including route and other festivities, please see the website below from West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA): Carnival.NYC

2023 Panorama Steel Pan Groups

What to get a sneak peak of the action? You can visit some of the many locations to hear the sounds of the island as rehearsals for the celebrations are underway.

Metro Steel Orchestra
1437 Utica Avenue
Brooklyn New York 11203

D'Radoes
900 East 52 Street
Brooklyn, New York 11203

Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra
1168 Rockaway Avevue
Brooklyn, NY 11236

CASYM Steel Orchestra
684 Linden Boulevard
Brooklyn NY 11203

Despers USA
985 Rockaway Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11212

Steel Sensation
97-24 222 Street
Queens Village,11429

Pan in Motion
976 President Street
Brooklyn, NY 11225

Harmony Steel Orchestra
900 Rutland Road
Brooklyn, Ny 11203