The 2016 Essence Music Festival is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s one of my favorite music festivals, and this year’s lineup is almost amazing. With New Edition and Babyface on Friday night, Common and Mariah Carey on Saturday, and Kendrick Lamar and Puff Daddy & The Family on Sunday, I’ve been waiting on this weekend my whole life this year. You’ve already planned out your concert schedule, but when it comes to partying it up at star-studded events, I’ve got you.
From day events, to concert after-parties, to gospel brunches, this annual guide is jammed-packed with things to do, so you’ll never have to figure it out on your own. Feel free to print it, share it with a friend, and be sure to check back as the list will be updated until EMF weekend.
ALL WEEKEND
Essence Day Party Series
@ The Sugar Mill, 1021 Convention Center Blvd.
1P – 5P Daily | Tickets
THURDAY, JUNE 30
Annual All White Boat Ride Party hosted by Lance Gross + DJ Envy
aboard the Creole Queen, corner of Poydras & Canal Streets by the river
9P | Tickets
The Purple Explosion: Tribute to Prince
@ Bourbon Heat, 711 Bourbon St.
10P | Tickets
DJ Mannie Fresh + Friends
@ Masquerade Nightclub (inside Harrah’s Casino), 8 Canal St.
10P | Tickets
Welcome to New Orleans Gala w/ US Congressman Cedric Richmond
@ The Metropolitan, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
11:55P | Tickets
FRIDAY, JULY 1
Black Hollywood with Kandi Burress, Kenny Burns, Angela Yee & D-Nice
@ Masquerade Nightclub (inside Harrah’s Casino), 8 Canal St.
2P – 8P | Tickets
DAY Escape ft. the Hottest 80s & 90s Sets by DJ Kid Capri
@ The Metropolitan, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
3P – 9P | Tickets
Large Pro + ian a. Louis + More
@ Hi-Ho Lounge, 2239 St. CLaude Ave
7P – 10P | Tickets
Curren$y + DJ Black N Mild
@ House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
8P | Tickets
Welcome To Our City NOLA Presents Mystikal w/ band, Juvenile and more
@ House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
9P | Tickets
CODE Party w/ Southern Dynasty DJs – Guest List Only Event
@ House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
10P | Guest List Request
Flashback Friday ft. Doug E. Fresh
@ Republic NOLA, 828 S. Peters St.
10P | Tickets
Lance Gross Shades of Blackness Birthday Bash w/ Kelly Price, LeToya Luckett + DJ Envy
@ The Metropolitan, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
10P | Tickets
All White Everything w/ DJ Kid Capri
@ The Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Ave.
10P | Tickets
SATURDAY, JULY 2
VIP Slay Sessions w/ Celebrity Hair Stylist Ashanti
@ Hotel Indigo, 2203 Saint Charles Ave.
10A | Tickets
Seagram’s Gin presents Damn That DJ Made My Day! ft. DJ Kid Capri
@ House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
2P – 8P | Tickets
30 Years of Hip Hop DAY PARTY! ft. Doug E Fresh, Biz Markie & Friends
@ Masquerade Nightclub (inside Harrah’s Casino), 8 Canal St.
2P – 8P | Tickets
All White Affair ft. Kenny Burns & TANK
@ The Metropolitan, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
3P – 9P | Tickets
CODE Party with Southern Dynasty DJs – Guest List Only Event
@ House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
10P | Guest List Request
The Art of Luxury Black & White Affair ft. Doug E. Fresh, Angela Lee, Stevie J + More
@ The Metropolitan, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
10P | Tickets
Chrisette Michele
@ House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
10:30P | Tickets
Mardi Gras Party ft. DJ Biz Markie
@ The Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Ave.
10P | Tickets
A Fabolous Festival Affair, hosted by Fabolous
@ EIFFEL Society, 2020 St. Charles Ave.
10P | Tickets
SUNDAY, JULY 3
Gospel Brunch
@ House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
10A | Tickets
VIP Slay Sessions w/ Celebrity Hair Stylist Tokyo Stylez
@ Hotel Indigo, 2203 Saint Charles Ave.
10A | Tickets
Queendom, hosted by Terrence J
@ The Metropolitan, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
3P – 9P | Tickets
Ladies Night Out, hosted by R&B Sensation TANK & Friends
@ House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
9P | Tickets
Festival Weekend Finale, hosted by Sean “Puffy Daddy” Combs July 3rd
@ Masquerade Nightclub (inside Harrah’s Casino), 8 Canal St.
10P | Tickets
Sunday Reign, A Fabolous All White Affair ft. Fabolous, Toya Wright and Kenny Burns
@ The Metropolitan, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
10P | Tickets