Behind the scenes, Essence and the city are working out how to ensure the festival keeps coming back to Crescent City.

The festival had to address some attendee frustrations as well as the Target sponsorship. Amid reports of low ticket sales and disgruntled attendees, Essence Festival of Culture organizers explained ...

The Essence Festival of Culture returned to New Orleans once again over the July 4th weekend, bringing a lively display and celebration of Blackness and Black womanhood. While many attendees were ...

The Essence Film Festival, from Essence Studios, took place during the 2024 Essence Fest, with stars like Garcelle Beauvais, Tisha Campbell, Essence Atkins, Danielle Brooks, Wayne Brady, Danielle ...

Our ESSENCE Style Writer shares a carefully curated guide to navigating New Orleans vintage shopping scene—just in time for ...

Stream songs from Cardi B, Brandy & Monica, Public Enemy, Kehlani, and more before ESSENCE Festival 2026 kicks off.

The Black women-focused festival kicked off July 4 in New Orleans. The 2024 Essence Festival of Culture continues its third day of inspiring events with Kamala Harris, Serena Williams, and more. In ...

While the event is technically called the Essence Festival of Culture, one of its biggest draws is the nightly concert featuring some of the biggest names in Black music. But at the 2025 Essence Fest ...

For 30 years, the Essence Festival of Culture has brought together people from all walks of life and from around the world to connect through conversation, shared experiences and, of course, music.

With just a few months left in 2024, it’s safe to say that the year has been memorable for several reasons. One event of paramount importance was the annual ESSENCE Festival of Culture, which ...

I vividly remember the very first National Fried Chicken Festival opening its gates in 2016 at a tiny park in New Orleans called Lafayette Square. What unfolded that day is etched into my memory, not ...