Media Center FAQ

The ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® will proudly return to our “forever home” of over three decades, New Orleans, on Thursday, July 3rd through Monday, July 7th.

The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® Evening Concert Series lineup includes Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Babyface, along with a curated Jill Scott and Friends set featuring three generations of Philly soul royalty: the Godmother, powerhouse vocalist Patti LaBelle, Grammy Award-winning R&B icon Jazmine Sullivan, and Jill herself – all together for one unforgettable night in New Orleans. They join additional headliners including genre-defining R&B quartet Boyz II Men, chart-topping global sensation Davido, New Orleans’ very own cultural architect Master P, and R&B icon Maxwell. In true ESSENCE fashion, this year’s celebration wouldn’t be complete without space to honor the legends who laid the foundation for the sound of future generations. In an intentionally curated set, Songwriters Hall of Famer Jermaine Dupri will pay homage to the incomparable music titan Quincy Jones: a creative force whose fingerprints are etched into nearly every corner of modern music, from jazz and funk to hip-hop, soul, and pop. The “ESSENCE Flowers” tribute, a QUINCY JONES JOINT, will bring together artists whose own work reflects the reach of his legacy.

Whether you're attending in person or tuning in virtually, one thing is sure: the wait is always worth it. From elevated daytime experiences at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and a star-studded evening concert series lineup at the Caesars Superdome, this year’s Festival promises to be both intimate in experience and expansive in impact. While the lights shine brightest at night, the heart of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® begins in the day. The daytime and evening experiences are not separate. They are in conversation. The ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® will debut fresh experiences while welcoming back beloved staples, including the ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival™, BEAUTYCON™: @ESSENCEFEST Edition, ESSENCE Film Festival® by ESSENCE STUDIOS™, ESSENCE Stage™, SOKO MRKT™ by ESSENCE®, ESSENCE Authors™, ESSENCE® GU® Kickback, GBEF® HQ, and more. Every moment will be a dedication to our artistry and culture. After a highly anticipated return, the iconic Superlounge experience is back. Reimagined, reenergized, and ready to remind fans why some of the Festival’s most unforgettable moments have happened on its most intimate stage. Then, of course, some moments you’ll only have to witness in person.

The media credential application can be found here. The ESSENCE Press Team will provide updates on a rolling basis on application status. The link will close on Friday, June 20th, 2025.

Thursday, July 3rd

All OFFICIAL updates on the 2025 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® can be found on ESSENCE Fest social channels, online, and in our E360 app. Don't believe any rumors—trust only us for the latest news and announcements!

While we rolled out daytime experiences and evening concert series announcements in phases, ALL OFFICIAL updates on the 2025 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® can be viewed and accessed via ESSENCE social, online, and in our E360 app - don't forget to turn on your push notifications to be the first to know all updates!

The ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® curates each experience to reflect the interests and passions of Black audiences worldwide. Releasing the lineup in phases allows each moment to shine and ensures every artist gets the spotlight they deserve.

Absolutely! We understand that travel plans are important for our attendees to plan their ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® experience. Don't be the last person in the group chat to book!

Do you remember the first time you picked up an ESSENCE Magazine? For many of our attendees, being immersed in our brand is a lifelong experience. We're striving to make space for everyone's experience stage of their life to be considered. However, we will continue to honor those who are at our core.

The ESSENCE Festival Of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® has previously given a platform to Black artists across Country, Afrobeats, Jazz, and more. We'll continue to showcase the influence Black musicians have across each genre.