A free Caribbean street party brings tropical vibes to Times Square

Time Out – One of the most memorable things to do during summer in New York is catch the red-hot, sprawling West Indian Day Carnival, which draws two million people to Brooklyn for a Caribbean carnival done Gotham-style.

But if, like us, you can’t wait until August for a colorful Calypso spectacle, suit up for some serious fun in Times Square next week. On Tuesday, June 10, New Yorkers can kick off Caribbean American Heritage Month with “A Caribbean Fête in Times Square” hosted by TSQ Live and Brooklyn-based cultural organization I Am CaribBEING.

From 5pm to 7pm, the famed Broadway plaza—between 45th and 46th Streets—will transform into a massive lime (a.k.a. party) celebrating the treasured culture of Caribbean countries like Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, among others. The bash is free, but you must RSVP to secure your spot.

Designed as a joyful declaration of “global culture that is here to stay and play,” the party includes live sets by songwriter-DJ Private Ryan, so you can groove to the tropical tunes of soca, dancehall, reggae, and more.

“Caribbean American Heritage Month deserves its rightful space in the spotlight,” says I Am CariBEING founder Shelley Worrell. “This event is more than just music, it’s a testament to the strength and power of our heritage, and it is with great pride that we bring the joy of the Caribbean to one of the world’s most iconic locations.”

“This event promises to be a sonic celebration of a region whose influence not only reverberates through fashion, food, and music but whose profound contributions to The Arts are often under-recognized and undervalued,” Worrell adds, encouraging revelers to bring their flags and rep every island.

I AM CARIBBEING is an award-winning community and cultural venture dedicated to showcasing Caribbean tradition, art, and lifestyle in Greater New York and beyond by supporting local, Caribbean-owned businesses, fostering community, and promoting Caribbean culture.

If you feel peckish after all that high-energy revelry, head to Flatbush, known as Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean neighborhood and home to the largest community of Caribbean-American-Latinx residents outside of the West Indies. Or take the train to Queens’ Little Guyana for bites like chicken patties, roti wraps and coconut sweet bread.