EVENING CONCERT SERIES

This year will be special!

ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola®, is the preeminent experience of all things Black and this year will be one to remember as we pay homage to one of the biggest creations of Black Culture, Hip-Hop! For the first time in ESSENCE’s history we have a lineup of all Hip-Hop headliners for our evening concert series, who will show up and show out for our fans, the ESSENCE way.

AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA

Welcome to the AFROPUNK Blktopia™! An immersive experience. Enter into a realm of possibility, where you and other Black Futures can be unapologetic and Free.

AFROPUNK KREWE BALL

AFROPUNK is taking over like 99’ and the 2000 – and this serves as your official invite to the party. From music to art to culture, come join AFROPUNK KREWE BALL – where we will be hosting a party each night of ESSENCE Festival 2023. See you soon.

BEAUTYCON: EFOC EDITION

This year’s Beautycon™ @ESSENCEFEST Edition is shattering definitions, challenging perceptions, and creating a space that champions Black beauty. Join our celebration of the individuality of all sizes, hues, and identities. You don’t want to miss it!

ESSENCE AUTHORS

Interact & engage with your favorite authors & content creators at the ESSENCE Authors™ experience. This experience is sure to leave you inspired, encouraged and hey - you may decide to become the final author of your own experiences!

COMMUNITY CORNER

ESSENCE® continues to keep the community at the forefront by bringing pillar organizations to the ESSENCE Community Corner™ each year. From economic empowerment, civil rights/activism, and programs that level the playing field and inspire the next generation.

ESSENCE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

The taste of the world’s cultures converges in this experience. Inside ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival™, mouths will water from the transatlantic dishes from Africa, the Caribbean, and New Orleans that fill the space.

GET LIFTED

You’re invited to the ultimate Sunday ritual of spiritual communion through song, dance, and fellowship of all denominations and faiths to this praise report in real life.

ESSENCE IN HIS ZONE: MEN’S EXPERIENCE

Calling all the men! Come relax, connect and just kick-it in a space just for you. ESSENCE In His Zone™ is a curated great escape where you can explore, shoot a few free throws, and exchange ideas on topics from finance to fashion.

ESSENCE FAMILY DAY

You can’t miss the largest family reunion block-party style in the heart of the Tremé at Armstrong Park. Indulge in local music, street vendors, seafood boils, a kids zone, and it’ll be ‘so New Orleans’.

ESSENCE FILM FESTIVAL

Reserve your seat and catch exclusive screenings of original films, new media, live screenplays and live readings. Plus, don’t miss the extras, including panel discussions, workshops, celebrity appearances and more.

ESSENCE STAGE

Experience the ESSENCE® book come to life at ESSENCE Stage™, the epicenter for Black joy, celebration and self-love. From food to fashion and everything in between, this stage is the heartbeat of the Festival.

ESSENCE WELLNESS HOUSE

Like plants need water, so do our people. In the center of it all you’ll want a place to retreat, rejuvenate and restore. ESSENCE Wellness House® is curated as the cure for the mind, body, and spirit.

GLOBAL BLACK ECONOMIC FORUM

The global power players converge for a weekend of conversations, engagement, and task-building. The Global Black Economic Forum invites the thought-leaders and doers of today for 3-days to inform, discuss and implement the path forward for Black communities from the U.S. across the transatlantic.

GU CREATOR’S HOUSE

ESSENCE GU™ is in the driver’s seat, and everything you thought you knew about EFOC is out the door. Labels? Gone. Judgment? None. Vibes? Endless. Purpose? Boundless. From the creator to the hustler, this house is for those with the audacity to be themselves and are ready to shake sh*t up. #ForeverTheBlueprint

ESSENCE GU KICKBACK

The Girls United Kickback is the exclusive after party you need to be at as we welcome the next generation of ESSENCE Festival. Act up in this auntie-free zone that’s packed with a lit lineup, Tik Tok worthy moments, and a VIP vibe you won’t get anywhere else.

NEW VOICES VILLAGE

A curated experience for entrepreneurs and small business owners to access the learnings of other successful entrepreneurs, expertise of New Voices ecosystem partners and resources.

SOKO MRKT powered by ESSENCE

Continuing the mission of driving direct commerce and opportunities for Black and Women-owned businesses, the ESSENCE Marketplace® returns to the convention center. Get your pockets full for days of shopping the must-have products.

SOKO MRKT NO.LA powered by ESSENCE

What keeps New Orleans rich in tradition? Small businesses, especially those started and run by Black people. Building on our tradition of creating space for small Black businesses, ESSENCE® has handpicked small Black businesses across the Greater New Orleans area to sell their products and services across three days of festival festivities at this outdoor experience.