u/CrownHeights-MOD

2026 marks the 59th anniversary of one of the largest festivals of Caribbean culture! As there are always first-timers who may not know what to expect, here are some basic frequently asked questions that pop up every year. This isn't an exhaustive list so post your own questions and answers in the comments below!

What is happening this weekend?
Crown Heights hosts a large week-long festival of West Indian and Caribbean culture known as Carnival that culminates as a big parade down Eastern Parkway on Labor Day Monday. This weekend there will be calypso soca music festivals and various gatherings, including a kids carnival on Saturday (check out some suggestions in the events thread!). The main festivities will begin early late Sunday night/early Monday morning with J'ouvert.

What is J'ouvert?
Meaning "dawn" or "daybreak" in French Creole, J'ouvert is the beginning of the celebrations starting very early in the morning. It began in Trinidad as a mock of slaveowners' Masquerade parties. There are a number of meetups planned if you wish to join.

What is the parade route/road closures?
Organizers haven’t shared the main parade route just yet, but according to the department, parade routes for J’Ouvert and the West Indian American Day Parade and Festival will stretch along the following streets and will be in effect through the festival day:

• Eastern Parkway between Ralph Avenue and Plaza Street West
• Flatbush Avenue between Grand Army Plaza and Empire Boulevard/Ocean Avenue
• Empire Boulevard between Flatbush and Nostrand avenues
• Nostrand Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Rutland Road

Additional street closures include:

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

The following streets are also closed for the West Indian American Day Junior Parade Route on Saturday:

• St. John's Place between Kingston and Franklin avenues
• Franklin Avenue between St. Johns Place and President Street
• President Street between Franklin and Classon avenues
• Classon Avenue between President Street and Eastern Parkway
• Washington Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Carroll Street
• President Street between Classon and Washington avenues
• Washington Avenue between Sterling Place and Empire Boulevard

Grand Army Gazette has released this infograph of closures:

https://preview.redd.it/uepme8cihdnh1.jpg?width=1206&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=362390bbfe82aed584941098b2fbdc7800dd1786

How can I celebrate?
Attend and enjoy! There are some great tips in this thread.

Will I be able to move/drive during the parade?
No. Reschedule.

Where did all the garbage cans/Citibike racks go?
They were moved to make way for the parade. They'll be back next week.

What's all this loud music? Should I call 311?!? No.

Is it safe?
There has been an unfortunate regularity of gun violence in the last several years around the parade, usually towards the end and at bar/clubs into the night. While I'm not trying to downplay it here, there is risk in any large gathering. If you are concerned but still want to attend, arrive early and leave early.

EDIT: I wrote this at work so please point out any errors and I will correct! Thanks everyone

EDIT 2: Changed some language

Thanks to everyone who posted events last week for r/crownheights! As always, if you have an event to share feel free to make your own post but also comment here and we'll add it to the list! CH-preferred but surrounding neighborhoods welcome!

This week:

* Wed, Aug 26 @ 8pm - Comedy on Kingston
Salon on Kingston 105 Kingston Ave (credit u/Nolawee)

* Thurs, Aug 27 @ 7pm - Crown Heights Social Meetup
Friends & Lovers 641 Classon Ave (credit u/petronius84)

* Sat, Aug 29 @ 10am - CLACC-C Childrens Festival & Youth Pan Festival St Johns Pl btw Brooklyn & Kingston (credit u/biglindafitness)

* Sat, Aug 29 @ 10 am - Family Stretch Class Rikud 607 A Vanderbilt Ave

* Sat, Aug 29 @ 8pm - Cool Nous Dance Social
Rodeo 1134 President St

* Sun, Aug 30 @ 11am - Shuttle Friends Clean Up South of Eastern Parkway - 899 Franklin Ave

*Sun, Aug 30 @ 2pm - Central Brooklyn August Tenants Circle
Macon Library 361 lewis Ave (BedStuy) (credit u/br0oklyntenant)

Hi /r/crownheights!

We hope everyone is doing okay in this heat! While the initial Megathread for people to ask questions about the safety and general vibe of blocks around our great neighborhood was initially successful, it went stale and people weren't contributing anymore. Instead of leaving it up like an eyesore Everytime you visit the sub, from now on it will be refreshed mid-monthly so new people have an opportunity to ask questions and get answered. The old thread still exists and is searchable here.

So post your questions and search the answers below if you're looking to move here, and current residents can speak to what they love, brag about the best spots and events, and vent their frustrations, too.

When posting a top level comment here, please include an intersection or area to make it more searchable.

Thanks to everyone for your participation and looking forward to hearing what makes Crown Heights great!