Brooklyn throws the largest Panamanian parade outside Panama, drawing more than 30,000 people to Crown Heights for marching bands, folkloric groups, schools and delegations from the U.S. and Panama. It honors Panama’s 1903 separation from Colombia and ends in a street festival with Panamanian-Caribbean food, crafts and live music. If you want a Caribbean-Latin block party with deep community roots, this is the weekend’s Brooklyn move.
What to expect
The procession starts at Franklin Avenue and Bergen Street, crosses Eastern Parkway and flows to the festival stage at Classon Avenue and Eastern Parkway. Expect marching bands, folkloric dancers, community organizations and elected officials, then a street festival with Panamanian and American food, merchandise, arts and crafts and live entertainment.
Good to know
- Take the 2, 3, 4 or 5 to Franklin Av–Medgar Evers College, or the Franklin Av Shuttle to Park Pl
- Stake out a spot near Franklin and Bergen to see the parade step off
- Save your appetite for the festival stage area at Classon and Eastern Parkway, where the food vendors gather
- Crowds top 30,000, so keep a meeting point if you're with a group
- Free to attend and family-friendly
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Common questions
Where does the Panamanian parade go?
It begins at Franklin Avenue and Bergen Street in Crown Heights, crosses Eastern Parkway and ends at the festival stage at Classon Avenue and Eastern Parkway.
Why is it called a pre-independence parade?
It's held ahead of Panama's national holidays in November and commemorates Panama's separation from Colombia on November 3, 1903.
Is there more than the parade?
Yes — it culminates in a street festival with Panamanian and American cuisine, Panamanian artifacts and merchandise, and live music.
