ESSENCE Festival Guide
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is coming up this July 3 to 5, meaning it is time to make your itinerary.
In addition to enjoying the 20+ curated experiences at the festival, you can experience the festival throughout New Orleans with restaurant specials and events across the city.
Inside the Festival
This annual festival has been celebrating New Orleans’ Black culture and achievement for over 30 years with a wide variety of activities throughout the weekend. Each day begins with daytime activities at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, including the Fourth Rope Wrestling Match on Saturday. Fourth Rope is a wrestling organization unique in its blend of wrestling, music and fashion.
Each night, Caesars Superdome will serve as the festival’s base, featuring various musical artists and esteemed celebrity panels. Some appearances include:
- July 3: Cardi B, Kehlani, Latto, and a special live conversation with Michelle Obama
- July 4: Brandy & Monica, Patti LaBelle, Leon Thomas, and Josh Levi
- July 5: George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, Babyface, Public Enemy, Doug E. Fresh, and Durand Bernarr
The Whole City Celebrates
Restaurants surrounding the venue are celebrating the festival with specialty menu items. Heard Dat Kitchen is offering its “Dat Superdome” special, a catfish dish shaped like the festival headquarters. Willie May’s is a Black-owned restaurant, a short stroll away from the Superdome, welcoming all those celebrating ESSENCE Fest. Many surrounding Black-owned restaurants are also highly acclaimed by festival-goers, such as Lil’ Dizzy’s Cafe…