Essence Like a Pro
Caesars Superdome | July 5-7 | 7 P.M.
The Sugar Mill | July 5-7 | 10 A.M. To 5 P.M.
Morial Convention Center | July 5-7 | 10 A.M. To 5 P.M.
Essence Festival of Culture is returning to New Orleans to celebrate its 30-year anniversary July 4-7. The city will be filled with visitors of all ages eager to experience New Orleans and celebrate Black culture in a major way. Essence Fest is hosted by Essence annually and every year reveals new talent, stages, events, and experiences.
Last year featured a star-studded lineup with artists including Lil Wayne, Missy Elliot, Megan Thee Stallion, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Janelle Monáe, Juvenile, Jermaine Dupri, Ice Cube, Lil Jojann, Monica, Ludacris, Eve, Salt-N-Pepa, Tems, and Wizkid.
This year, the festival will have performances by artists including pop star Janet Jackson and New Orleans legend Birdman. He will be joined by surprise guests to celebrate 30 years of Cash Money Millionaires, a supergroup of artists from the iconic record label Cash Money Records. Other featured headliners this year will include Usher, T-Pain, Lloyd, Big Boi, Charlie Wilson, SWV, and more, as well as local acts Tank and the Bangas, HaSizzle, Juvenile, and more.
Essence Festival's activities at the Morial Convention Center are free. Tickets for the evening concerts at Caesars Superdome must be purchased on Essence's website or Ticketmaster. Other Essence Fest-related events may require registration or ticket admission.
Whether you are a first-time Essence Fest goer or a veteran, here are some tips on what to bring, how to travel, and how to feel and look your best during this eventful weekend.
Make Room on Your Beauty Shelves
Spend the day at the Convention Center and you will leave with a tote bag full of beauty, hair, and skincare products from notable sponsors such as Dove, Mielle, Shea Moisture, the Honey Pot Company, Aveeno, CeraVe, Alaffia, NYX, and L'oreal. Some vendors give out mini-sized products to sample and others give away full-sized bottles of shampoo, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, and faux eyelashes. Small and local businesses also set up shop and have products available for purchase.
Follow Local Tastemakers on Social Media
Essence Festival takes over the city with tons of events during the July 4 weekend. The best way to stay in the know is by following New Orleans influencers, event hosts, public relations professionals, restaurants, boutique hotels, DJs, and music artists. Sometimes events aren't announced until days before, so you want to keep an eye out on social media for any last-minute private performances, exclusive dinners, influencer parties, and sponsored events.
Make a Transportation Plan
Parking in downtown New Orleans can be a nightmare on an average day. When you add thousands of traveling visitors into the mix, finding parking can feel impossible. In some cases, it's not parking that's the issue but rather getting to and from the festival. Some stress-free options for transportation include ridesharing apps such as Uber or Lyft, using a local car service including Limousine Livery or NOLA Black Car, the historic New Orleans streetcars, getting dropped off by a friend or loved one, riding a bike, or walking—if you are staying in a home or hotel close enough to the Convention Center or Superdome.
Rest and Recharge
Essence Festival is more than freebies at the Convention Center. It includes panels, vendors, and performances in the day, concerts at night, and many events around town at all hours of the day. After sitting in on panel discussions, taking photos with the photo installations, fangirling over celebrities, and standing in long lines to get free tote bags and product samples, it is highly recommended that you rest before dancing the night away at the concerts. Schedule breaks throughout your day, drink water, sit down when you need to, and consider time between events to recharge your phone and energy.
Pack Your Essentials
Staying cool and rested is key to surviving the entire Essence Fest weekend. Necessities to bring include sunscreen, a tote bag, your phone, a portable phone charger, sunglasses, and proof of tickets. Other items to consider are ChapStick, a Tide pen (in case you spill some of the delicious food at the festival on your clothes), a change of shoes (if your first choice isn't comfortable), and a clear vinyl bag or a small purse/clutch for the Superdome.
Pick Your Outfits in Advance
Essence Fest is a celebration of culture. Show off your personality, heritage, and individual style through your outfits. Do you want to embody an African goddess? Wear a printed sundress and adorn yourself with decorative gold or beaded jewelry. Want to show off your New York roots? Wear an athletic jersey, a Yankees baseball cap, denim shorts, sneakers, and hoop earrings. The sky's the limit. This festival is a beautiful representation of the African diaspora, bringing together Black people from all corners of the world. While the gathering celebrates connectedness, it also highlights individuality. Be yourself.
Make a Hair Plan
What would a Black-led festival be without intricate hairstyles? Some of the biggest, longest, most creative, and imaginative hairstyles are showcased at Essence Fest. From braids and locs to larger-than-life afros and puffs, the way people express themselves through their hair is one of the best parts of this special weekend. Essence Fest is an opportunity to take up space, be your authentic self, and wear your hair how you want to. Whether you want to slick your hair back into a bun and throw a hat on top or get goddess braids down to your waist, the choice is yours. No matter what style you choose, your crown will shine.
Essence Fest Evening Concert Series
Caesars Superdome | Friday, July 5 | 7 P.M.
Bird Man
Juvenile
Mannie Fresh
T-Pain
The Roots
Caesars Superdome | Saturday, July 6 | 7 P.M.
Usher
Lloyd
Donell Jones
Charlie Wilson
Big Boi
Caesars Superdome | Sunday, July 7 | 7 P.M.
Janet Jackson
Tank And The Bangas
HaSizzle
SWV
Teedra Moses
Essence Fest Experiences
Morial Convention Center | July 5-7 | 10 A.M. To 5 P.M.
Afropunk Blktopia
Beautycon
Community Impact Hub
Essence Authors
Essence Film Festival
Essence Food & Wine Festival
Essence Hollywood House
Essence Stage
Essence Wellness House
Gbef
New Voices Entrepreneur Hub
New Voices Village
Suede: Mens Experience
The Sugar Mill | July 5-7 | 10 A.M. To 5 P.M.
Gu Creators House
The Sugar Mill | July 6 | 2 P.M. To 7 P.M.
Gu Kickback
