Experience Essence Festival: A Can’t-Miss Cultural Celebration in the Heart of New Orleans

Photo Credit: neworleans.com

Key Takeaways

• Essence Festival celebrates Black culture annually during July 4th weekend with free daytime programming and paid evening concerts at major venues.
• Daytime events at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center include empowerment seminars, beauty workshops, vendor marketplaces, and community service projects at no cost.
• Evening concerts at Caesars Superdome feature legendary R&B, hip-hop, soul, and gospel headliners with mainstage reserved seating and general admission superlounges.

If you’re looking to experience a one-of-a-kind celebration of music, culture, and empowerment, the Essence Festival in New Orleans should be at the top of your list! Held every year during July 4th weekend, this iconic event brings together some of the biggest names in music, thought-provoking speakers, and a vibrant community of attendees from all over the world to celebrate Black culture and the spirit of New Orleans.

To help make the most of your Essence Festival experience, we’ve put together this guide full of helpful information and our local tips and tricks. Let’s dive in!

What is the Essence Festival?

The Essence Festival of Culture began as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine, a publication for Black women. It was so successful that organizers decided to make it an annual event. Three decades later, the multi-day festival has evolved into a culturally impactful event showcasing contemporary African American music and culture.  

During the day, festival-goers will experience inspirational speakers discussing gender, race, culture, religion, economics, education, and art. There are also dozens of vendors displaying clothing, jewelry, paintings, and sculptures representing the rich culture of the African Diaspora, seminars and workshops on everything from beauty and style to power and finance, and a day of service to support New Orleans with a community project. 

At night, you’ll experience high-energy musical performances from iconic headliners, intimate lounge shows with up-and-coming artists, and exciting DJ parties. 

Essence Festival Dates & Location

When is the Essence Festival?

Essence Festival in New Orleans is typically held over the Fourth of July weekend. It’s a multi-day party with a slew of events including speakers, live music, and workshops. 

Where is the Essence Festival?

Essence Festival takes place citywide. The largest events are typically held at the Caesars Superdome and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with smaller events hosted in additional venues throughout downtown New Orleans. 

Who Performs at the Essence Festival?

Because of its popularity, Essence Fest attracts many big-name celebrities and powerful performers. In the past, notable headliners like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Usher, Aretha Franklin, and Mary J. Blige have taken the stage in the Superdome.

In addition to well-known artists, you can also expect to see a variety of performances, including daily empowerment seminars with speakers like Kamala Harris.

The concert lineup is usually announced mid-spring, while the full schedule with dates, times, and locations is available in June.

Tickets for Essence Festival

Depending on what you want to experience during the festival, there are many different ticket options from single-day to weekend packages. Concert tickets vary in price, so you’ll want to check the website for up-to-date pricing. If you purchase an Essence Fest ticket, you’ll get access to all mainstage and super-lounge performances for the time frame you choose. There are also VIP options that give the opportunity to uplevel the experience. 

Insider Tip: You’ll want to purchase tickets in advance, as they can sell out, especially for popular performers. 

There is no admission for any of the daytime events at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. There are often other events, sponsor lounges, and pop-ups around downtown New Orleans that are free as well. Check the website to see whether you can register in advance to attend certain events for free. 

What to Expect at the Essence Festival

Essence Fest is packed full of exciting events from empowerment seminars and beauty showcases to high-octane musical performances and DJ parties. 

During the day from 9 AM to 5 PM, most events take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and all daytime events are typically free. Some other special events are held throughout downtown New Orleans as well.

During the Empowerment Experience, dozens of speakers focus on a range of topics like religion, economics, and education. 

During the Essence Expo Experience, you can participate in seminars and workshops on a wide range of topics from beauty and style to power and finance. You’ll find live tutorials, free consultations, fashion and makeup presentations, and more.

There’s also a festival marketplace where vendors sell artwork, crafts, music, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs. Displays are often set up in different locations around the Superdome as well as in park areas that are temporarily transformed into outdoor markets. 

At night, the party kicks up a notch with an all-star musical lineup of the best in R&B, hip-hop, funk, gospel, and soul. The evening concert series starting at 6 PM is paid admission and takes place inside the Superdome.

If you’re planning to attend Essence Fest at night, you might be wondering: What’s the difference between the mainstage and superlounge?

Mainstage performances are large-scale shows featuring legendary headliners like Prince, Janet Jackson, and Aretha Franklin for a full concert experience. You’ll have seats for these shows, purchased in advance.

Your ticket will also get you access to superlounge performances, which are in a more intimate and casual setting and feature up-and-coming and popular new artists. The superlounge is general admission style, so there’s no reserved seating, and performances have capacity restrictions so arrive early.

Tips for the Best Experience

What should I wear to Essence Festival?

It can get pretty toasty in New Orleans in July, with highs in the 90s. That said, most of the Essence Fest events are indoors. Preparing for both the heat and humidity outside and the A/C blasting inside is a must.

There are plenty of photo ops throughout the festival, so you’ll want to choose your outfit with that in mind. But also keep in mind you may be walking between venues for different events, waiting in line, etc. so comfort is key. 

What should I bring to Essence Festival?

There is a clear bag policy in effect for all events at Caesars Superdome, including Essence Fest. Anything you bring with you needs to fit inside a clear bag or a small clutch. Learn more here. 

What to Eat at Essence Fest

There are plenty of food options at the festival itself as well as in the surrounding area – NOLA is a great place for foodies. Some of our favorite options nearby are Cafe Sbisa, Lil Dizzy’s Cafe, and Vyoone’s. 

At the festival itself, Essence Eats hosts dozens of vendors at the food court, ranging from Southern comfort staples to world cuisine and vegan and vegetarian fare. They also host a series of special food demos and live podcasts that are fun to check out.  

How do I get to Essence Fest?

Most events at Essence Fest take place in two major locations: the Convention Center during the day and the Superdome at night. To get to Essence Fest, you can walk, ride a bike, use public transportation, or ride share to avoid having to look for and pay for parking. 

If you stay near the festival, it’ll be easier to get there!

Get the App

Download the official EFOC app to help plan your Essence Fest itinerary and navigate each festival day. You’ll need the app for daytime events at the Convention Center, plus it’ll give you info on panels, performances, and giveaways. 

Planning Ahead

If you’re planning to attend the free daytime events, make sure you register in advance. For the concert series and other evening events, tickets are required, and they do sell out, so be sure to purchase them in advance. 

Where to Stay For Essence Festival in New Orleans

When choosing where to stay for Essence Fest, being nearby is convenient. Check out our list of vacation rentals within walking distance of the Superdome for easy festival access and plenty of space and privacy.

Have questions about planning your visit to New Orleans for Essence Fest? Our local team is happy to give you our insider tips and help you plan the ultimate festival experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get quick answers to the most common questions about attending the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans.

What is the difference between daytime and evening Essence Festival events?

Daytime events are generally free to the public and focus on empowerment, including seminars, beauty workshops, and vendor marketplaces at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. In contrast, the evening sessions are ticketed concerts held at the Caesars Superdome, featuring headline musical acts and exclusive “superlounge” performances. While the daytime experiences require advance registration, the evening concerts require a paid single-day or weekend pass.

How much do tickets typically cost for the Essence Festival concerts?

Tickets for the evening concert series generally start around $170 for a three-day pass, with prices increasing significantly for premium seating and VIP packages. Prices for single-day tickets vary based on the performer lineup and how close you are to the event date. It is highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance through official channels, as popular nights frequently sell out before the festival begins.

Do I need a special app to navigate the Essence Festival?

Yes, downloading the official Essence Festival of Culture (EFOC) app is essential for managing your itinerary and accessing daytime events. The app provides real-time updates on panel schedules, artist performance times, and interactive maps of the Convention Center and Superdome. Many daytime “experiences” and sponsor giveaways also require the app for digital check-ins or entry registration.

What is the best way to travel between the festival venues?

The most efficient way to travel between the Convention Center and the Caesars Superdome is by using rideshare services or the historic New Orleans Streetcar. Since these venues are located in different parts of the downtown area, walking can be taxing in the July heat. If you are staying in a vacation rental in the Warehouse District or Central Business District, you may find many activation sites within reasonable walking distance.

What should I wear to the Essence Festival in New Orleans?

You should prioritize breathable, light clothing and comfortable walking shoes to manage the extreme July heat and humidity. While daytime attire is typically casual and functional for walking through the marketplace, many attendees wear “statement” fashion or culturally expressive outfits for the evening concerts. Since the Superdome and Convention Center are heavily air-conditioned, bringing a light layer or wrap is recommended for indoor comfort.

Have more questions?

Check out our FAQ page for more details.