Labor Day in Brooklyn: What you need to know

August 30, 2019 Meaghan McGoldrick

Coney Island Beach. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle

What’s happening?

Brooklyn beaches are still open…

…but not for much longer

New York City beaches close for the season next weekend, but they’re still open for Labor Day. Grab your swimsuit and a friend you don’t mind sitting too close to (Brooklyn beaches will probably be packed), and make a day of it. Not into sand? You can make use of one of the city’s free outdoor pools (which also close Sept. 8).

J’ouvert

J’Ouvert is the day-break festival that precedes Crown Heights’ massive West Indian American Day Parade. The joyous celebration of Caribbean culture has been held for generations on Labor Day and starts as 6 a.m., with revelers expected to start gathering as early as 2 a.m. at Grand Army Plaza. (The name originates from the French jour ouvert, meaning day-break or morning.)

The 52nd annual West Indian American Day Parade

The West Indian American Day Parade will directly follow J’ouvert, keeping the celebration of Caribbean culture going through the afternoon. The parade happens along Eastern Parkway, with the route stretching from Schenectady Avenue to Grand Army Plaza, then down Flatbush Avenue.

It kicks off at 11 a.m.

Last Cyclones game of the season

Not quite sure what to do on your day off? You can always catch the last Brooklyn Cyclones game of the season. They take on the Staten Island Yankees one last time at 4 p.m. at MCU Park.

Labor Day clambake

Bushwick’s Brooklyn Cider House will its second annual Labor Day clambake Monday in celebration of the start of apple season. Tickets start at just $27 and include the clambake and a bag of apples from Twin Star Orchards. It’s dog-friendly, too, so feel free to bring your pup to the party, which starts at 1 p.m.

What’s not happening?

Garbage pickup

There will be no garbage, recycling or organic collection on Labor Day. There will also be no street cleaning. Residents who normally receive Monday trash and organics collection are advised to bring their trash to the curb after 4 p.m. Monday for collection. Those who receive Monday recycling collection will have to wait until 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, for collection on Monday, Sept. 9.

Mail delivery

Your post-person has the day off, too.

Alternate side parking

At least you can park! Alternate side parking regulations are suspended Monday.

What’s closed?

Government buildings

City, state and federal government buildings, including courts and post offices, are closed for Labor Day.

Schools, banks and libraries

New York City public schools are not yet in session (but if they were, we bet they’d be closed). All New York Public and Brooklyn Public Library branches will be closed both Sunday and Monday, as are most banks.

Probably some Brooklyn businesses

Check in with your favorite restaurant for holiday hours before making any meal plans. Same goes for any shopping you might do. Every business observes differently!