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This year marks the 25th ESSENCE Festival® or the annual music festival known as “the party with a purpose.” What was once supposed to be a one-time celebration has grown into a three- day reunion with more than 500,000 of your distant cousins.
From July 5 -7, get ready to party, dance, eat, drink, indulge in self-care, sharpen your business skills, and even get your praise on. Now more ever, attendees heading to New Orleans, Louisiana have so many different events and experiences waiting for them beyond the nightly concerts. To make sure everyone heading to the “Big Easy” has the 411 on what is going on over the weekend, here are 25 events that are going to be all the way live. Note not all events are directly associated with the festival.
Registration is required to attend all conferences and expos. Be sure to download the festival app ahead of time for a smooth experience.
Be sure to check all individual site for more information and for ticket sales.
FRIDAY, JULY 5
Black Economic Forum | 9 am – 4 pm | Tickets
Today’s most seasoned business moguls and inspiring entrepreneurs will illuminate the road ahead towards building economic empowerment and generational wealth within our communities globally.
E-Suite: Unlock Career Connections | 9 am – 4 pm | Tickets
Get your E Suite membership pass and access an exclusive suite for senior-level women in business. From panel conversations to recruitment opportunities with our partners, E Suite is the #1 destination for high-level career advancement at ESSENCE Festival®.
Beauty Carnival | 9:30 am – 6 pm | Tickets
Hear from your fav beauty influencers and wellness experts live on stage, indulge in curated shopping experiences and more! This ultimate celebration of black beauty will get you ready to step into the world with an inner calm and an outer glow!
The Power Stage – Fueling the Culture | 10 am – 6 pm | Register via the app
Join us for a range of empowering conversations with today’s most influential voices as we tackle key issues around politics, love & family, community & activism, wealth & more.
- Eat NOLA Noir to Launch New Orleans First Black Restaurant Week
- NOLA Chef Toya Boudy Answers Her Calling Rooted in Faith and Resilience
ESSENCE Eats | 10 am – 6 pm | Register via the app
Indulge in a wide range of mouthwatering vendor selections and watch live cooking demos with celebrity chefs! Plus, get Passport25 for deals and discounts at NOLA’s best Black-owned restaurants!
Be sure to purchase your ESSENCE Passport 25 to receive special rewards from some of NOLA’s Black-owned restaurants from July 1 – 8. Purchase here.
The Black Wine Experience – International Tasting Experience | 12 – 6 pm | Tickets
The International Tasting Experience will transport you across the world one flavorful adventure after another. And you’ll meet celebrities– who own wine brands– and others there to have a good time right beside you. New to wine? Take a class with some of the experts. And if you’re
connoisseur, bring a friend and share the knowledge and a good time.
The Beauty Collective’s Sip & Shop | 1:30 – 6 pm | Free registration
Time to take over New Orleans! The Beauty Collective brings you a curated, unique destination pop-up shop experience. Perfect for the beauty, fashion and lifestyle enthusiasts, meet female beauty bosses Rachel Roff with Urban Skin Rx, Melissa Butler with The Lip Bar, Ylorie Taylor of EDEN BodyWorks, Monique Rodriguez of Mielle Organics, and the Founders of Cee Cee’s Closet for their product tips and tricks during the event. Sponsored by Hello Beautiful and Madam Noire.
2nd Annual Creole Festival | 2 – 7 pm | Tickets
The 2nd Annual Creole Food Festival will continue the tradition of showcasing the best Creole chefs, cuisines and beverages from the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America. Look to see and discover participating tourism boards, rising star chefs, beverage connoisseurs, bartenders providing signature NYCCFF drinks, sample dishes, cooking demos, and much more!
Essence Music Festival – Chicken & Waffles Day Party | 3 – 9 pm | Tickets
Organized by Terry Frasier of the Soul Architects, enjoy chicken and waffles specials while listening to guest DJs.
The Champagne Day Party + Carpe Diem w/ Karrueche Tran | 3 – 7 pm | Tickets
Bring the crew for French 75s and day-party vibes. Sip mimosas made with the finest champagne. Be sure to watch the clock because the entire party is toasting to the good life each hour on the dot! You’ll want to keep a glass close by! We’ve hand-selected some dope DJs to guarantee a fire soundtrack.
Music Festival Evening Concerts | 7 pm – 12 am | Tickets
An evening of concerts and performances from top artists that will have you on your feet all night long.
Herlarious Presented by Kym Whitley | 10 pm | Tickets
A great evening of comedy hosted by Kym Whitley featuring Kim Coles, Sherri Shepard and Jess Hilarious.
ESSENCE After Dark: Reggae X Afrobeats Linkup | 10 pm – 2 pm | Tickets
Check out our show “Reggae X Afrobeats,” Presented by Estelle featuring Spice, Rotimi, Machel Montano, Kranium, Wale, Rafiya and Nick & Navi! Just added Hood Celebrity & Shaggy! You don’t want to miss this one. Music by Shacia Marley & Max Glazer.
Nappi Hour: Essence Fest Edition | 10 pm – 2 am | Tickets
Nappi Hour is a cultural experience that fuses together elements such as afrobeats, reggae, 90’s music, crawfish, bounce + rum punch.
SATURDAY, JULY 6
Black Economic Forum | 9 am – 4 pm | Tickets
Today’s most seasoned business moguls and inspiring entrepreneurs will illuminate the road ahead towards building economic empowerment and generational wealth within our communities globally.
E-Suite: Unlock Career Connections | 9 am – 4 pm | Tickets
Get your E Suite membership pass and access an exclusive suite for senior-level women in business. From panel conversations to recruitment opportunities with our partners, E Suite is the #1 destination for high-level career advancement at ESSENCE Festival®.
Beauty Carnival | 9:30 am – 6 pm | Tickets
Hear from your fav beauty influencers and wellness experts live on stage, indulge in curated shopping experiences and more! This ultimate celebration of black beauty will get you ready to step into the world with an inner calm and an outer glow!
The Power Stage – Fueling the Culture | 10 am – 6 pm | Register via the app
Join us for a range of empowering conversations with today’s most influential voices as we tackle key issues around politics, love & family, community & activism, wealth & more.
ESSENCE Eats | 10 am – 6 pm | Register via the app
Indulge in a wide range of mouthwatering vendor selections and watch live cooking demos with celebrity chefs! Plus, get Passport25 for deals and discounts at NOLA’s best Black-owned restaurants!
Be sure to purchase your ESSENCE Passport 25 to receive special rewards from some of NOLA’s Black-owned restaurants from July 1 – 8. Purchase here.
The Black Wine Experience – International Tasting Experience | 12 – 6 pm | Ticket
Join national celebrities and influencers, internationally recognized sommeliers and vintners sharing their faves and insider tips for a superb wine experience.
Soundbites Food Truck Park: New Orleans 2019 | 12 – 8 pm | Tickets
Black Restaurant Week presents its black-owned food truck park filled with food, music, and fun entertainment. Enjoy the best food trucks and food vendors New Orleans has to offer. Soundbites will also feature the hottest DJs playing a variety of music all day. Come hungry and bring your friends!
All White DAYtime Affair Biz Markie Doug E Fresh & Kenny Burns | 3 – 9:30 pm | Tickets
Presented by Keshia Walker & Insights MPC, get your groove on while in the house with Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh, and Kenny Burns.
Music Festival Evening Concerts | 7 pm – 12 am | Tickets
An evening of concerts and performances from top artists that will have you on your feet all night long. This night will feature an appearance from our “Forever First Lady” Michelle Obama.
“I Love the 90’s” Live on Stage “Ginuwine” | 9:30 pm – 2:30 am | Tickets
Listen to the “Soundtrack of your life,” hosted by Ginuwine and featuring Dj Flemingo + Dj Skillz + Dj Shakim (Of Rbrm, New Edition).
“All Black Affair” Festival Weekend Hosted By Nas W/ Sounds By DJ Envy | 10 pm – 4 am | Tickets
Another Larry Morrow event that will shut down ESSENCE Festival with this party hosted by hip hop artist Nas and friends.
ESSENCE After Dark: Mike Epps and Friends | 10 pm | Tickets
Get ready to laugh the evening away with Mike Epps and featuring music by DJ Kiss.
ESSENCE After Dark: Teddy’s Jam Feature Guy and Backstreet | 10 pm – 3 am | Tickets
The Party continues with an all new ESSENCE After Dark series during the 2019 ESSENCE Festival weekend.
Groove to some classics at Teddy’s Jam featuring Guy & Blackstreet. Music by DJ M.O.S.
#RevNola: Festival Weekend All Black & White | 10 pm – 3 am | Tickets
THE REVOLUTION is New Orleans’ newest cultural experience. Located on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, The Revolution is a breath of fresh air in the heart of this historic central city neighborhood. Providing two indoor bar spaces and several outdoor courtyard spaces. Special guest Lorenz Tate.
SUNDAY, JULY 7
Beauty Carnival | 9:30 am – 6 pm | Tickets
Hear from your fav beauty influencers and wellness experts live on stage, indulge in curated shopping experiences and more! This ultimate celebration of black beauty will get you ready to step into the world with an inner calm and an outer glow!
ESSENCE Eats | 10 am – 6 pm | Register via the app
Indulge in a wide range of mouthwatering vendor selections and watch live cooking demos with celebrity chefs! Plus, get Passport25 for deals and discounts at NOLA’s best Black-owned restaurants!
Be sure to purchase your ESSENCE Passport 25 to receive special rewards from some of NOLA’s Black-owned restaurants from July 1 – 8. Purchase here.
Kimberly Elise Naturals® Exclusive Natural Beauty Brunch | 10 – 11:30 am | Tickets
Clean beauty products & first-class breakfast come together on Sunday, July 7th, 2019 at an exclusive Natural Beauty Brunch hosted by Kimberly Elise Naturals® the weekend of the 25th anniversary of the 2019 ESSENCE Festival®.
Color of Change Presents: Black Women’s Brunch | 11 am – 1:30 pm | Tickets
Please join us for a morning of delicious food, community, and discussion. This will be a celebration of our unique power– but also a call to action. It’s time to grow and refine our power while organizing our communities around the issues that matter to us — Black women.
Roses and Rosé Awards Brunch | 12 – 4 pm | Tickets
The first-ever Awards Show celebrating the African-American wine community. With distinctions for the People’s Choice, and for legendary and emerging wines, the illustrious affair features celebrity presenters, entertainers and some very special guests.
Author And Books Pop Up Shop-Conversation and Cocktail Empowerment Experience | 12 – 4 pm | Tickets
Luxury cocktails over inspiring conversations. This event is designed for women to come together in a no-judgment environment with inspirational and empowering speakers to include Andrea “Drea” Kelly, Angela Marshall and Alissa R. Jones.
Music Festival Evening Concerts | 7 pm – 12 am | Tickets
An evening of concerts and performances from top artists that will have you on your feet all night long.
ESSENCE After Dark: Beats & Bounce | 10 pm – 3 am | Tickets
Dance all night with Big Freedia, Soul Rebels and more. Music by Mannie Fresh & DJ Niena Drake.
Be sure to check all individuals sites for more information and ticket sales as well as any special event instructions.