NYC Carnival season is upon us! The official carnival schedule can be found via West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA). There are so many events happening in the city centered around Caribbean culture, you must choose your events wisely! We’ve outlined a few annual fetes and a few new events you can check out for the weekend with maximum fun and good Caribbean vibes.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30

Ransom // Vibes: Afterwork/Party // Manhattan

Moved from the beatiful pier to a mid-town rooftop this year, enjoy Reggae & Soca from some of your favorite DJs to kick off the weekend festivities  (Tickets & Info.)

Reggae Unda Di Stars // Vibes: Festival/Performance // Brooklyn

Join WIADCA for an evening of Reggae, Dancehall, Soca and this year adding Afrobeats! This outdoor jam session is complete with Afro-Caribbean Roots, Rhythm and Reggae! Full of vibes with a unique line-up Charly Black (Jamaica), Nailah Blackman (Trinidad), Ayo Jay (Nigeria), Linky First (Jamaica), Brooklyn’s own DyDy (Jamaica) and Aquel J and more. Music by Kevin Crown (Dancehall), DJ Gringo (Reggae), Concert Kings: DJ Don & DJ Buka (Afrobeats) Triple 9 HD & Sound City International (Soca) (Tickets & Info.)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31

_UCK WORK NYC 2018 //Vibes: Yacht Party //Manhattan

Skip work and party on a boat with beautiful people. (Tickets & Info.)

Hot97’s On The Reggae and Soca Tip // Vibes: Festival/Performance // Brooklyn

See Konshens, Aidonia, Ding Dong, Kranium, Tifa, Dovey Magnum, Elephant Man, Masika and Shal Marshal (Tickets & Info.)

Brass Fest 2017 // Vibes: Festival & Performance // Brooklyn

WIADCA’s Brass Fest is the biggest Annual Outdoor Caribbean Event in New York! The Soca music extravaganza features live performances by Soca Ambassadors, Destra Gracia & the Bakanal Band (Trinidad), Motto (St. Lucia), Lyrikal (Trinidad), Marzville (Barbados), Patrice Roberts (Trinidad), Dil-E-Nadan (Trinidad), Farmer Nappy (Trinidad), Problem Child (St. Vincent), Turner (Trinidad), Freezy (St. Lucia) and Brooklyn’s own Rayzor & Request Band in one huge outdoor party! Music by DJ Rashad, DJ Spice and more. Hosted by MC Wassy and Vibesman Redman. (Tickets & Info.)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Majah Hype Comedy Show // Vibes: Comedy // Brooklyn

Majah Hype brings it home to Brooklyn during the livest time to be Caribbean in NYC. Enjoy all your favorite Majah Hype comedic personalities and of course some good vibes. (Tickets & Info.)

Soca Brainwash // Vibes: Fete! // Brooklyn 

DJ Private Ryan’s is taking you to Africa at the Brooklyn Mirage creating two very distinct and immersive experiences for this theme.  2 stages, 2 DJ lineups, 1 indoor/outdoor festival experience. (Tickets & Info.)

TRIBE Ignite NY – ICEBOX // Vibes: Fete! // Queens

Tribe & Icebox join forces to ignite the spirit of carnival! (Tickets & Info.)

Anything Goes Live Concert // Vibes: Festival/Party // Queens

DJ Norie’s annual concert includes Skinny Fabulous, Teddyson John, RDX, Black Rhino, Tosh Alexander, Agent Sasco, Safaree, Red Rat, Shal Marshall, Tony Matterhorn, Kerwin Dubois, Dovey Magnum, Tifa, Voice and more! (Tickets & Info.)

Junior Carnival Parade // Vibes: Kid Friendly Carnival // Brooklyn 

Featuring live performances, Junior King & Queen and Individual characters of the band. Begins at Kingston Avenue/St. John’s Place, continues to Franklin Avenue to President Street ending into Brooklyn Museum grounds. Music by DJ One Plus. Hosted by Jemma Jordan. (9am-4pm) (Tickets & More Info.)

Panorama 2018 // Vibes: Live Steelpan Bands // Brooklyn 

Enjoy the rhythms of sweet steelband music 8 of NYC’s finest steel orchestras vie to win the 2018 Panorama
Championship crown. Featuring CASYM, D’Radoes, Despers, Harmony, Pan Evolution, Philadelphia Pan Stars, Genesis, Pan Grove. Music by DJ One Plus. (Tickets & Info.)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Sunny Side Up // Vibes: Breakfast/Day Party  // Brooklyn

Rise with the sun and party until it goes down! (Tickets & Info.)

MAS (Monday Almost Start) //Vibes: Day Party & Celeb Performances // Queens

Destra, Skinny Fabulous and Ding Dong hang out in Queens with 3 floors of entertainment and food! (Tickets & More Info.)

5 Alarm Blaze // Vibes: Day Party & Celeb Performances // Manhattan

Enjoy the sounds of Walshy Fire and DJ Private Ryan at La Marina, full of island vibes and surprise performances, hosted by Majah Hype (Tickets & Info.)

Breeze // Vibes: Day Party & Performance  // Bronx

Enjoy music from some of your favorite Caribbean DJs at an outdoor venue with performance by Spice, Aidonia and Shenseea  (Tickets & Info.)

Dimanche Gras // Vibes: Mas/Steel  //Brooklyn

Celebrate your culture at our Annual Dimanche Gras concert, Enjoy Mas, Music and Dancing. This NYCCW finale highlights of Kings and Queens of the Band, individual and Ole’ Mas’ costume presentations and Panorama 2018 winners. Highlights include live performances by Lord Nelson, Ras Iley, Explainer, Denise Belfon and more backed by Sunshine Band and Boodoosingh Tassa Drummers. Music by DJ One Plus. Hosted by MC Wassy and Jemma Jordan. (Tickets & Info.)

Soca Rave // Vibes: Performance // Brooklyn

Bunji Garlin, Kes the Band, Shenseea, Nailah Blackman, Patrice Roberts, Tameka Marshall & more special guests (Tickets & Info.)

Rum & Music // Vibes: Day Party // Brooklyn 

Enjoy the best of Caribbean music from Ryan Sayeed, Riggo Suave, Mister Reid, Back 2 Basics w/ Tony X, Dj Paddy, Jus Jay(Barbados) and Mad Russian  (Tickets & Info.)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

West Indian Day Parade // Vibes: Carnival // Brooklyn

Enjoy New York City’s 50th West Indian Day Parade as bands and masqueraders make their way down Eastern Parkway. (FREE)

Sandz JA // Vibes: Dancehall Festival // Secret Location (announced days before event) 

Enjoy music from some of your favorite DJs…an event you want to round up your crew and enjoy the vibes (Tickets & More Info.)

Soca Kingdom // Vibes: Concert // Brooklyn

Machel Montano and Soca legend Super Blue on one stage! (Tickets & More Info)