The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is taking over the streets of New Orleans this weekend, and it’s going to be chaotic — in the best way. Whether you’re here for the concerts, the day parties, the culture, or just the vibes, there’s a lot going on in the 504 this 4th of July weekend.
But let’s be real — ESSENCE Fest is about more than the official events. The real fun happens in the streets: the day parties, after parties, rooftop sets, and everything in between you heard about from somebody who’s plugged in.
If you’re tryna get into any of the above, my annual Guide to ESSENCE is giving what you need. Scroll through for the full lineup of the best parties, pop-ups, and late-night moves happening in New Orleans from July 4–7.
📌 Heads up: A lot of these events are star-studded, so be sure to read the listings to see who’s where. Also, some “Tickets” links include free entry or RSVP — so definitely click through. You never know if there’s a fee or if it’s free.
THURSDAY, JULY 3
The Velvet Sessions
DJ Rakim Beau
Barrel Proof | 7P-Midnight | Tickets
JUST GEMS
DJs FTK, Rakim Beau + Sean Falyon
Rabbit Hole | 10P–2A | Tickets
R&B Thursday
DJ Skillz
Après Lounge | 10P-3A | Tickets
FRIDAY, JULY 4
Best Brunch in NOLA
DJ Arie Spins
Bearcat CBD | noon-3P | Menu
BBQ Sesh Cook-Off
DJ PJ
Kermit’s | 12-8P | Tickets
The Maker’s Mark HBCU Alumni Kickoff
hosted by Mr. Happy Hour, Chad Montgomery + more
JOLIE | 2-7P | Tickets
Greek House Day Party
hosted by Terrence J + Jae Murphy
Treehouse | 2-8P | Tickets
HBCU Alumni Reunion
hosted by Maurice Johnson
Empire | 3-9P | Tickets
IN MY OWN LANE: A Visual Memoir
by Cubs Poet
Jackie’s | 5-8P | No Cover
Drunk’n Karaoke
curated by Brian-Michael Cox, ft. DJ Kid Nice
Hide/Seek | 8P | Tickets
Sweet Lorraine’s presents Juice
Elle Varner + DJ RQ Away
Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club | 9P | Tickets
IDAPO
Salah Ananse (ATL | Auraluxe Music) + Funke
Anna’s | 9P | No Cover
Dawn & Friends: A Sonic Lounge & Open Mic Experience
StudioBE | 9P-Midnight | Tickets • Sign Up
Brown Sugar – Festival Edition
DJ Jess + DJ E Clazz
VIRGO | 9P-2A | Tickets
Black Hollywood All-White Party
hosted by Larenz Tate, Terrence J + Tyler Lepley
The Metropolitan | 9P-4A | Tickets
The ENERGY! Experience
ANTWIGADEE! + Pellow Talk
Cafe Istanbul | 10P-2A | Tickets
Festival Weekend Kick-Off
hosted by Glorilla
Treehouse | 10P-3A | Tickets
OPULENCE Fireworks
DJ Juane Jordan, Keith Jacobs + more
Foundation Room | 10P-3A | Tickets
Freewater Rebirth
DJs Maaly G, Treyylb + Aliyuhhh
ARORA NOLA | 10:30P-3A | Tickets
SATURDAY, JULY 5
Nike x bEHR Festival Weekend Run Club
All paces welcome
2523 Bayou Rd | 7:30-9A | FREE
Trap Pilates: ESSENCE Rooftop Experience
DJ Cassie
Odeon Rooftop | 10A-noon | Tickets
La Reezy x PJ Morton EP Release Party
ANTWIGADEE!
StudioBE | 11A-3P | Tickets
Down to the NOLA
hosted by Funky Dineva, ft. Claudia Jordan
Red Light District | noon-4P | Tickets
Pearl Jam 9: All-White Day Party
MC Shaddy FeelGood, DJ Captain Charles + more
Carver Theater | noon-6P | Tickets
Damn That DJ Made My Day Party
hosted by Keri Hilson
House of Blues | 1:30-7:30P | Tickets
Not Just For Me, But 4 U
photo exhibit by Gil Starks
2538 St Claude Ave. | 2-6P | RSVP
Boozy Brunch Day Party
The Oak | 2-6P | Tickets
The D’ussé Day Party
w/ Bryan-Michael Cox, DJ Keith Scott + more
JOLIE | 2-7P | Tickets
The Heat Day Party
hosted by Tyler Lepley + Larenz Tate
Republic NOLA | 2-8P | Tickets
Day-Cation Day Party
hosted by Terrence J + Lance Gross
Treehouse | 2-8P | Tickets
Smash Hits @ Smash House
hosted by VScript
Smash House | 3-6P | No Cover
Coachin with Tootie
Purse styling + signing
COACH Outlet | 3-6P
Sun Up Sun Down Day Party
Sidecar Patio Oyster Bar | 3-8P | Tickets
26th Annual All-White Affair
Big Tigger, Lance Gross, Raj Smoove + more
The Metropolitan | 3-10P | Tickets
Rhythm & Brims: A Rooftop Affair for the Culture
DJ Jess + DJ E Clazz
NOPSI Hotel | 4-10P | Tickets
DJ Stormy Monroe
Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club | 6-10P | Tickets
The Session R&B Jam
ft. DJ Arie Spins, Kirk Raymond + more
New Orleans Jazz Market | 8-11P | Tickets
Mannie Fresh’s Live Jam Session
Fresh & Raj Smoove, Partners-N-Crime + more
The Maison | 9P-2A | Tickets
ESSENCE After Dark: The Future Set
Lady London, Bella Blaq, DJ Kelly Green + more
The Civic Theare | 9P-2A | Tickets
Mikey Offline + Friends
No Dice | 9P-Till | $10 Cover
The Iconic Black & White Affair
DJ Stormy + DJ Paradise
House of Blues | 9:30P-3A | Tickets
Mia X & Friends
The Original Pinettes Brass Band + DJ Ally Bea
Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club | 10P | Tickets
Festival Weekend Takeover
Eric Bellinger, Mario + Luke James
Hide/Seek | 10P | Tickets
I Love The 90s Party
DJs Skillz, Tayrock + Shakim
Fulton Alley | 10P-2:30A | Tickets
Festival Weekend Takeover
hosted by Davido
Treehouse | 10P-3A | Tickets
WFTN ESSENCE
B Fresh, DJs Tr33 + Treyylb
Republic NOLA | 10P-3A | Tickets
Set De Flo
HYPERACE, Lord Chilla + Kilobauud
Poor Boys | 10P-5A | Tickets
DJ RQ AWAY presents LAGNIAPPE
Sean Falyon
Tipitina’s | 11P | Tickets
The Art of Luxury Sweat Hotel Black & White Affair
Keith Sweat, DJ Captain Charles +more
The Metropolitan | 11P-3:30A | Tickets
SUNDAY, JULY 6
Black Girl Giggles Comedy Brunch & Cocktail Party
Carissa Cropper
Sweet Lorraine’s | 11A-2P | Tickets
The Sunday Greek Day Party Experience
DJ Jon Quick + DJ Paradise
Bryant Park NOLA | 11A-4P | Tickets
What A Time For a Pop-Up
hosted by Xo, Ranata, ft. Lil Miah
840 S Peters St. | noon-6P | No Cover
Bad N Boozy Brunch Boat Party
DJ IE
Creole Queen River Boat | 1-4P | Tickets
The Dandy Affair “Drip”
DJ Al B
Backatown Coffee Parlour | 1-5P | Tickets
The Luxe Escape Day Party
DJ Rakim Beau + DJ Jess
JOLIE | 2-7P | Tickets
Day Dream Brunch + Day Party
hosted by Toya Johnson + Tyler Lepley
Treehouse | 2P-8P | Tickets
Essence of Summer Sunday Funday Day Party
DJ Young Streetz + DJ E Feezy
The Metropolitan | 2-8P | Tickets
Melanin & Vibes Sunday Day Party
Afrobeats, Hip-Hop + R&B
LOTA | 3P | Tickets
Reset At Sunset XVI: All-White Edition
+ Frankie Beverly tribute
Lafitte Greenway | 3-8P | RSVP
Sunday Funday Day Party
hosted by Mannie Fresh
Fulton Alley | 3-8P | Tickets
Shades of Melanin Afrobeats x RNB Day Party
hosted by Lance Gross
Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar | 3-8P | Tickets
Kenyon Dixon
w/ Kayla Love
Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club | 7P | Tickets
Night Cap Series | Soul Session
DJ FTK + Mikey Offline
Dew Drop Inn | 9P-2A | Tickets
Festival Weekend Finale
hosted by Muni Long
Treehouse | 10P-3A | Tickets
Crown Jewels
Juvenile, Nas, Jermaine Dupri + more
The Metropolitan | 10P-4A | Tickets