Welcome to one of the biggest festival weekends in New Orleans! The 2023 Essence Festival of Culture is here, on, and poppin. This year, Essence is celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop. With legendary performances by Ms. Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and Jermaine Dupri, the evening concert series is going to be super lit.
Now, the party scene? That’s a whole ‘nother lituation. There are so many parties, the people can’t keep up! Luckily, I’ve got you covered. My annual Guide to Essence Fest is overflowing with parties and events, giving you a comprehensive look into what’s popping in these New Orleans streets. Feel free to share this post and be sure to check back as the list will be updated throughout the weekend. Turn up!
Click the event’s name for more information or to purchase tickets.
FRIDAY, JUNE 30
The HBCU Alumni Kickoff [hosted by Howard Univ. Alumni Assoc.]
ft. DJ Spoon (ATL), DJ Chubb Swagg (L.A.), DJ Snipe (N.O.)
Republic NOLA, 828 S Peters St.
2 – 8p | Free before 4p; $20+
Essentials: Raj Smoove At Alto
Alto [Ace Hotel], 600 Carondelet St.
3 – 7p | Free
Welcome To NOLA: An HBCU Mixer
hosted by Shannon Sharpe & Le Portier
Da Empire, 2222 Poydras St.
3 – 9p | $35
Blake Owens + Friendz
ft. Don Flamingo, Nesby Phips, Kodjomojo + Glimpse
8p | $15
Black Hollywood In All White
ft. Terrence J, Tyler Lepley, DJ Keith Scott + more
Metropolitan Nightclub, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
9p – 1a | $60+
Essentials: Sumn Good with Sean Falyon, DJ R-Tistic + Kelly Green
Three Keys [Ace Hotel], 600 Carondelet St.
9p – 2a | Free
Culture + Capital Presents: Opulence – The Exclusive Festval Experience
Foundation Room at House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
9p – 3a | $40+
The Pynk Hour
hosted by Shannon Thornton (Mississippi) + Brandee Evans (Mercedes)
Treehouse, 1840 Thalia St.
10p | $20+
Deeper in NOLA
ft. DJ Arie Spins
Republic NOLA, 828 S Peters St.
10p – 3a | Free ’til 11p; $20+
The Essence of ENERGY!
New Orleans Jazz Market, 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
10:30p – 2:30a | Tickets at the door
Where My Girls At?
w/ DJ Jess + Legatron Prime
Ciao Tapas Bar and Lounge, 4033 Tulane Ave.
11p | $20
SATURDAY, JULY 1
Day Dream Brunch and Day Party
ft. Tammy Rivera & Toya Rushing
Treehouse, 1840 Thalia St.
12p | $20
Damn That DJ Made My Day
ft. Mannie Fresh
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
1:30 – 7:30p | $35
R&B Day Party
ft. LeToya Luckett + BCox
Da Empire, 2222 Poydras St.
2 – 8p | $20
Shades of Melanin Day Party
hosted by Lance Gross ft. DJ Hollaback, DJ Rakim + more
Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar, 1114 Constance St.
2 – 8p | $20+
Essentials: ANTWIGADEE! At Alto
Alto [Ace Hotel], 600 Carondelet St.
3 – 7p | Free
If It Don’t Feel Like 90s R&B: Essence Boomerang Edition
ft. Keith Jacobs, DJ Phife + The Ken Chatman Project
Foundation Room at House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
9p | $25+
DJ RQ Away presents Lagniappe
+ The Artist Jade
Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon St.
10p | $20
I Love The 90s
hosted by Jagged Edge
Fulton Alley, 600 Fulton St.
10p | $25+
Ace of Spades Black & White Affair – The Cigar Edition
ft. DJ Raj Smoove (N.O.), DJ Poppa (N.O.) + DJ San Mac (Chicago)
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
10p | $30+
AbstractNOLA™’s Art and Music Experience
ft. Hasizzle, Denisia, DJ Raj Smoove + more
Riverwalk Outlets, 500 Port of New Orleans Pl.
10p | $30+
All Black Festival Weekend Experience
ft. Jermaine Dupri
Da Empire, 2222 Poydras St.
10p – 3a | $50+
Treehouse Festival Weekend
hosted by Tank
Treehouse, 1840 Thalia St.
10p – 4a | $20+
Midnight Brunch
ft. DJ Panda
Ciao Tapas Bar and Lounge, 4033 Tulane Ave.
10p | $20
Essentials: DJ Soul Sister’s Old School Joint In The Lobby
Lobby [Ace Hotel], 600 Carondelet St.
10p – 2a | Free
The Art of Luxury Black & White Affair
ft. Coco Jones, Ashanti, DJ Keith Scott, DJ Poppa + more
Metropolitan Nightclub, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
10:30p – 3a | $50+
Boozy Bounce
The Hangar, 1511 S Rendon St.
11p – 3a | $25+
SUNDAY, JULY 2
JusTini’s Cocktail Brunch
International House Hotel, 221 Camp St.
11a – 1:30p | $15
The Donna Fest
ft. Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, Birdman, Rebirth Brass Band + more
Urban South Brewery, 1645 Tchoupitoulas St.
12p | $65+
Brunch, Booze, and Beatz Brunch + Day Party
ft. DJs Treyylb, Hollaback, Snipe + more
Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar, 1114 Constance St.
12 – 8p | $15
Day Dream Brunch and Day Party
hosted Tyler Lepley & Terrence J
Treehouse, 1840 Thalia St.
12p | $20+
Sunday Funday Brunch Day Party
ft. Doug E. Fresh, DJ Stormy Monore + DJ Efeezy
Da Empire, 2222 Poydras St.
1 – 6p | Free from 2 – 4p; $20+
Buku Rosé Rosé Brunch Day Party
Dream House Lounge, 401 Baronne St.
2 – 6p | $30+
Perfect Sundaze
ft. Mikey Offline
Selina Catahoula Hotel, 914 Union St.
2 – 6p | $15+
NOLA Festival Sunday Funday Party
hosted by Lance Gross + Toya Johnson-Rushing
Fulton Alley, 600 Fulton St.
2 – 8p | $25+
DJ T-Roy
Voodoo Garden [House of Blues], 225 Decatur St.
3p | Free
Essentials: Bombshell Boogie At Alro
Alto [Ace Hotel], 600 Carondelet St.
3 – 7p | Free
SetDeFlo presents House Is Black
ft. Lord Chilla, Rakim, Lil Jodeci, Legatron Prime + Brian Henry
The Rabbit Hole, 1228 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
3p | $10
Essentials: Cassie Watson Francillon In The Lobby
Lobby [Ace Hotel], 600 Carondelet St.
6p – 8p | Free
Essentials: Free Therapy with Cubs The Poet & Jaime Woods
Three Keys [Ace Hotel], 600 Carondelet St.
8p – 10p | Free
DJ Raj Smoove
Foundation Room @ House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
9p – 2a | $25+
Afro Essence: The Last Dance
ft. DJ FTK
Ciao Tapas Bar and Lounge, 4033 Tulane Ave.
10p | $20
Jet Life Presents: Church On Sundaze – Festival Weekend Edition
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
10p | $22+
Festival Weekend Finale
ft. Rick Ross
Da Empire, 2222 Poydras St.
10p – 3a | $40+
Treehouse Festival Weekend
hosted by Trina
Treehouse, 1840 Thalia St.
10p – 4a | $20+
Jeezy’s All Black Everything Festival Weekend Climax
Metropolitan Nightclub, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.
10:30p | $70
Related Images:
