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You asked and we heard you loud and clear!

The countdown to ESSENCE Festival has officially begun and in true ESSENCE fashion, we’re starting with Ladies First.

From legendary voices who built the foundation to the Hitmakers running the charts today, the women of music are stepping onto the Superdome stage.

The lineup reveal starts now, and trust us, the girls are coming with something special:

Brandy & Monica
Kehlani
Latto
Patti LaBelle
Cardi B
And Much More To Come!

Get your tickets now! See you in New Orleans! ESSENCE Fest 2026 Here We Come!

Calling all Black-owned businesses, founders, and community leaders—vendor partner applications for ESSENCE Festival 2026 are still OPEN!

Join us July 3rd–5th for our signature experiences in New Orleans, including SOKO MKRT, Beautycon, Food & Wine, and the Community Center.

From emerging brands across beauty, food, and lifestyle to organizations and activists driving meaningful change, these spaces are designed to spotlight innovation, share powerful stories, and create real opportunities for connection, visibility, and commerce.

Don’t wait! ESSENCE Festival Vendor Partner Applications close February 23rd. Tap the ESSENCE Entrepreneur Portal linked in our bio for full details, requirements, and submission information.

Now THIS is how you spend Fourth of July weekend.

Our “Forever First Lady” Michelle Obama will bring the IMO: The Look podcast to life at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® Evening Concert Series with an intimate conversation to bring us together through honesty, reflection, inspiration, and joy.

It’s equal parts wisdom, laughs, real talk, and the kind of gems that have everybody leaving inspired. It’s a chance to be in the room for a truly special cultural moment.

When Mrs. Obama speaks, we listen.

And trust us, you’re going to want to experience this one live.
Get your tickets and hotel packages now.

The face is mine.

Brandy & Monica. Sy’rai & Laiyah. The perfect picture. Some after Mother’s Day love we all needed.

P.S. The copy and paste of it all.

Photos: @ShaunAndru

The face is mine.

Brandy & Monica. Sy’rai & Laiyah. The perfect picture. Some after Mother’s Day love we all needed.

P.S. The copy and paste of it all.

Photos: @ShaunAndru

This is how you second line into the next chapter of your life!

This Howard University graduate brought the Bayou to the Mecca in true Bison fashion!

Congratulations @skylar.julia.c and to all the 2026 graduates. If you’re a part of the graduating class of 2026, make some noise in the comments.

Where Culture Meets.

ESSENCE Festival has always been home for the culture. Music, fashion, art, community, and the experiences that move us. As we continue expanding that world, we’re bringing new spaces and underrepresented communities to the forefront while continuing to celebrate the influence of Black Women in sports across every lane.

Wrestling at EFOC? Absolutely.

This year, Westside Gunn and Smoke DZA bring 4th Rope to the ESSENCE Festival of Culture with live wrestling, performances, and nonstop energy that blends sports entertainment, fashion, music, and culture into one unforgettable experience. From the women changing the game to the communities pushing culture forward, this is a celebration of everybody in the building.

One ring. One stage. One culture

Three nights. One city. Endless moments.

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® Evening Concert Series is officially here, bringing together artists shaping culture across generations.

Friday: Cardi B, Latto, Kehlani, SZN4
Saturday: Patti LaBelle, Brandy & Monica, Josh Levi, Leon Thomas
Sunday: Babyface, Public Enemy, George Clinton & Friends, Doug E. Fresh

And hold on, we’re still not done yet. A few major announcements are still on the way. It's been a celebration of Black women and the music that helps mold us.

This is your LAST chance to grab your weekend passes. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Get your tickets and hotel packages now.

P.S. Black Women have entered the chat. IYKYK 👀

Three nights. One city. Endless moments.

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® Evening Concert Series is officially here, bringing together artists shaping culture across generations.

Friday: Cardi B, Latto, Kehlani, SZN4
Saturday: Patti LaBelle, Brandy & Monica, Josh Levi, Leon Thomas
Sunday: Babyface, Public Enemy, George Clinton & Friends, Doug E. Fresh

And hold on, we’re still not done yet. A few major announcements are still on the way. It's been a celebration of Black women and the music that helps mold us.

This is your LAST chance to grab your weekend passes. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Get your tickets and hotel packages now.

P.S. Black Women have entered the chat. IYKYK 👀

Three nights. One city. Endless moments.

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® Evening Concert Series is officially here, bringing together artists shaping culture across generations.

Friday: Cardi B, Latto, Kehlani, SZN4
Saturday: Patti LaBelle, Brandy & Monica, Josh Levi, Leon Thomas
Sunday: Babyface, Public Enemy, George Clinton & Friends, Doug E. Fresh

And hold on, we’re still not done yet. A few major announcements are still on the way. It's been a celebration of Black women and the music that helps mold us.

This is your LAST chance to grab your weekend passes. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Get your tickets and hotel packages now.

P.S. Black Women have entered the chat. IYKYK 👀

Let’s be clear their mics will be on!

SZN4 is pulling up bringing voices that are about to sing the roof off the Superdome.

If you love real vocals, real talent, and real music, this one’s for you. Come ready to be moved.

Get your tickets and hotel packages now.

The original human beatbox, Doug E. Fresh is bringing that classic hip-hop energy to the ESSENCE Festival stage.

Come ready to move, come ready to sing, and come ready to take it all the way back.

Because when Doug E. Fresh grabs the mic? It’s only one thing to do…

“La-di-da-di… we like to party.”

Get your tickets and hotel packages now.

There’s a new prince of R&B and he’s taking over the Superdome!

Leon Thomas is stepping onto the ESSENCE Festival stage with a sound that blends soul, edge, and undeniable talent. R&B is evolving, Leon is leading the charge and doing it effortlessly.

Don’t miss out on a night for music lovers! Get your tickets and hotel packages now.

Where there is love, there’s Babyface.

The legendary singer, songwriter, and producer is bringing decades of timeless hits to the ESSENCE Festival stage for a night filled with music that shaped generations.

We’re talking about the songs you sing in the car, the ones that hit a little too hard, and the ones that still have you texting “you up?” just off the strength of the intro.

Get in your feelings. Get your tickets. Get hotel packages now.

You heard the headliner, have the gumbo ready!

Even at the Met Gala, Cardi B has ESSENCE Festival of Culture on her mind. So the question is, who is making her oysters?

Don’t have your ticket yet? Stop playing yourself. See you, New Orleans July 3rd-5th!