After continued monitoring of the evolving developments in the COVID-19 global pandemic and in collaboration with our partners in the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana, ESSENCE will no longer move forward with the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture live experience. We look forward to returning to New Orleans in 2021. Refunds are available for tickets sold to the 2020 Festival.
We are excited to now announce an ‘ESSENCE Benefit Series to Fight COVID-19’ will raise money and provide support for businesses and organizations in Black communities across the country. We will host the first-ever ESSENCE Festival of Culture: The Virtual Edition taking place over July 4th weekend as a multi-day experience and benefit celebration linked to this effort.
The virtual Festival will be a benefit celebration in honor and support of the City of New Orleans, which has been an incredible partner over the Festival’s 26 years and continues to be especially hard hit during this crisis.
Find the full press release statement from ESSENCE here. Stay tuned for more updates by subscribing to our ESSENCE Festival of Culture newsletter and following @essencefest via social media.

From the mainstage to intimate performances in the Superlounges, see all-star collabs you won’t find anywhere else!

Add new flavors to your cookbook in live demos with celeb chefs and cooking experts. Get a taste of more than 50 ESSENCE Eats™ vendors and save when you dine at NOLA’s best Black-owned restaurants with Passport25.

ESSENCE AFTER DARK
After the evening concerts, hit after hours comedy shows, live podcasts, and underground performances. Stay tuned for updates on 2020 performances, parties, and shows.

Hear from pioneering thought leaders, innovative founders and global leaders in an intimate one-of-a kind environment. Explore globalization and technology trends that will anchor new frameworks for multi-generational Black wealth across industries and continents. Network with other power players to create collaborations with long term impact for our global communities.

Ladies! Make major headway in your career in an intimate setting for senior-level women in business. Listen, learn, and level up! Plus, explore our online E Suite membership platform for more events, business development forums, mentorship, networking and more!

POWER STAGE
Explore the topics that impact and inform our culture with powerful keynotes, panel discussions & interviews. Join the conversation each day with community leaders, politicians and pop culture icons live on the Power Stage.


Get glam squad approved! Celeb hairstylists, MUAs, and beauty influencers will take over Beauty Stage Live for tutorials, makeovers, product reviews, and hot topics in the beauty space.

Join us for a cutting-edge curation of runway shows, interviews, and pop-up shops brought to you by Black designers. Get expert tips to take your label to the next level!

Grab a girlfriend, a green juice and ignite your inner well! Get fit and regenerate with massages, energy readings, and self-care conversations with health & wellness pros and practitioners.

See interviews with your favorite stars live on Center Stage. Get a chance to meet them in the Fan Zone and see upcoming new releases before they hit your TV or local theater in the Screening Room!

Shop must-have apparel, accessories, beauty, books and more at an exclusive destination for Black-owned brands!


We are on the search for star brands to steal the show at ESSENCE Marketplace® and ESSENCE Eats™! Grow your brand on a national scale, engage with thousands of consumers, and be the first to be considered for future live events partnerships with ESSENCE!
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The Pipeline is designed to increase the pool of women and Black professionals pursuing careers and business opportunities in live events and technical production. Bid your business for an opportunity to help produce the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™.
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