ESSENCE Fest 2025 Unites Music, Legacy, Wellness & Black Brilliance in NOLA
ESSENCE Fest 2025 is coming in hot! Celebrating 55 years of Black brilliance in New Orleans — and you don’t want to miss it. Turn your PTO in now for July 4 through July 6. The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is the largest celebration of Black culture and music in the United States. It’s not just a party — it’s a powerhouse that has delivered over $1 billion in economic impact and continues to be the premier destination for celebrating heritage, community, and innovation.
This year’s theme, “Made Like This,” is more than a slogan. It’s a tribute to who we are, how we got here, and where we’re going.
ESSENCE Fest 2025: Legacy Meets the Future
The weekend will also mark a hometown return for Master P, a symbol of independence
and hustle, who helped put New Orleans hip-hop on the global map with No Limit Records. His performance is more than a set — it’s a salute to the streets that raised him and the culture he helped create.
ESSENCE 2025 also introduces debut performances from GloRilla and Buju Banton, continuing the festival’s legacy of embracing the multi-generational evolution of Black music.
More Than Music: Culture Comes to Life at ESSENCE Fest
There is so much to see and do each day. The ESSENCE Market is a daytime experience that takes place at the Convention Center, it's free and are just as electric as the nightly live entertainment at the dome. Attendees can dive into an immersive blend of Black excellence and innovation through:
ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival
BEAUTYCON @ ESSENCEFEST Edition
AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA
ESSENCE Film Festival by ESSENCE STUDIOS
ESSENCE Authors
SOKO MRKT (Black-owned business marketplace)
GBEF HQ (Global Black Economic Forum)
ESSENCE GU Kickback (for Gen Z vibes)
ESSENCE Festival 2025: Tentative Daily Lineup so far is as follows:
Thursday, July 3 – Opening Day
Events:
Opening ceremonies
Community events
Pre-festival parties
Locations: Various venues across New Orleans
Note: Specific artist performances for this day have not been announced yet.
Friday, July 4 – Day 2
Daytime:
Panels and workshops at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Evening Performances at Caesars Superdome:
Main Stage:
Boyz II Men
Davido
Maxwell
Superlounges:
GloRilla
Donell Jones
Note: The above lineup is based on available information and may be subject to change.
Saturday, July 5 – Day 3
Daytime:
Cultural village
Fashion shows
Additional panels and workshops
Evening Performances at Caesars Superdome:
Main Stage:
Nas
Summer Walker
The Isley Brothers
Superlounges:
Muni Long
Buju Banton
Note: The above lineup is based on available information and may be subject to change.
Sunday, July 6 – Closing Day
Daytime:
Gospel brunch
Final day celebrations at the Convention Center
Evening Performances at Caesars Superdome:
Main Stage:
Master P (hometown performance)
"ESSENCE Flowers" – A tribute to Quincy Jones curated by Jermaine Dupri
Superlounges:
Artists to be announced
Note: Please note the above lineup is based on available information and may be subject to change.
Plan Your ESSENCE Fest Experience
Weekend passes are available now, and festivalgoers are encouraged to download the E360 app for real-time updates, exclusive perks, and personalized schedules. This is a great way to stay in the know each day. Also, follow @ESSENCEFest on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), and subscribe to ESSENCE Magazine for ongoing festival news.
This summer, the world is once again invited to gather in New Orleans, where the page met the stage, and the culture never missed a beat. It is as it started, a party with a purpose. This is ESSENCE. This is culture. This is Made Like This.
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