Best Costumes, Moments From Brooklyn’s Annual West Indian Day Parade

Brooklyn’s rich cultural fabric is stitched together by the many immigrant communities that call the borough home—but none have left quite as vibrant a mark as its thriving Caribbean population.

Each Labor Day, that influence takes center stage during J’Ouvert, an early-morning celebration of Caribbean pride that transforms the streets of Crown Heights into a lively, colorful Carnival, otherwise known as the West Indian Day Parade.

Running along Eastern Parkway, the West Indian Day Parade draws thousands from across the five boroughs and beyond. Revelers wave their flags high, dance to the rhythms of soca and steelpan, and fill the air with joy and liberation. Vendors line the sidewalks, offering everything from flavorful Caribbean dishes to festive regalia, adding to the high-energy, cultural immersion of the event.

And at the heart of it all? The unforgettable outfits and happening that occur throughout the day. Here are some of the most striking costumes, moments and looks from this year’s West Indian Day celebration.