The ESSENCE Festival of Culture® is taking over New Orleans once again, and if you’ve ever been here during ESSENCE weekend, you already know the city doesn’t slow down. From the Convention Center to the French Quarter, parties to experiences, there’s something happening around every corner.
Sure, the concerts are a huge part of the weekend, but let’s be real. Some of the best moments happen outside the official schedule. The brunches. The day parties. The late-night moves. The places somebody who’s plugged in told you about.
That’s where this guide comes in.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’re a New Orleans regular looking for your next stop, this is your curated guide to what’s happening throughout ESSENCE Fest weekend. Browse events by day, discover featured experiences, and check back often as new events are added and details are updated.
📌 A few things before you scroll:
• Events are organized by day to make planning your weekend easier.
• Click Tickets to purchase tickets or RSVP, and click venue names for directions.
• This guide is updated regularly leading up to and throughout ESSENCE Fest weekend, so bookmark it and check back for the latest additions.
Now let’s get into The Ultimate Guide to ESSENCE Fest Weekend 2026
THURSDAY, JULY 2
PARTIES
Welcome to New Orleans Gala
hosted by Mayor Helena Moreno, Cedric Richmond + Troy Carter
The Metropolitan | 8 PM – 3 AM | Tickets
BLAQnificent
Republic NOLA | 10 PM – 2:30 AM | Tickets
Rock The Boat All-White Boat Ride
Paddlewheeler Creole Queen | 7 – 10 PM | Tickets
Where My Girls At? Festival Kickoff Party
DJ Jess + Legatron Prime
Foundation Room | 9 PM | Tickets
R&B Thursday
ft. DJ Skillz + DJ Ty Lyles
Hide/Seek | 10 PM – 3 AM | Tickets
The Calm Before The Storm
ft. Mannie Fresh, Roi Anthony, Captain Charles + more
The Metropolitan | 11:30 PM – 3:30 AM | Tickets
POP-UPS
Scent Soirée Pop Up Experience
Virgin Hotels New Orleans | 10 AM – 2 PM | Tickets
FRIDAY, JULY 3
PARTIES
Back to the 90s Boat Ride
Paddlewheeler Creole Queen | 1 – 4 PM | Tickets
An HBCU Day Party Mixer
hosted by Lance Gross
Empire | 3 – 9 PM | Tickets
Brown Sugar: ESSENCE Festival Edition
Republic NOLA | 4 – 9 PM | Tickets
Rock The Boat Part 2 All-White Boat Ride
hosted by Cupid
Paddlewheeler Creole Queen | 7 – 10 PM | Tickets
Lovers & Friends R&B Lounge
ft. DJ Ram
The O Bar | 9 PM – 2 AM | Tickets
Black Hollywood In All White Party
hosted by Larenz Tate, Terrence J, Tyler LePley + more
The Metropolitan | 10 PM – 3 AM | Tickets
Club Kehlani
hosted by Kehlani
Treehouse | 10 PM – 3 AM | Tickets
ESSENCE Fest Official Concert Afterparty
hosted by Cardi B
Empire | 10 PM – 3 AM | Tickets
EXPERIENCES
The Legacy House
The Jung Hotel | 4 – 6:30 PM | More Info
LIVE MUSIC
Alfred Banks
w/ special guest Kaye The Beast
Good Measure [The Barnett] | 9 PM – 12 AM | More Info
SATURDAY, JULY 4
BRUNCH
Fourth of July + Essence Fest Weekend: VIP Brunch
Nice Guys NOLA | 11 AM | Tickets
PARTIES
Down to the Bar New Orleans
hosted by Funky Dineva
Dew Drop Inn Hotel & Lounge | 2 – 5 PM | Tickets
Bubbles, Chicken and Caviar: A Bougie Day Party
Maria’s Oyster Bar | 2 PM – 6 PM | Tickets
Homegrown
ft. DJ Phlegm + Erika Flowers (behind the bar)
The Pool Club (Virgin Hotels – 13th Floor) | 2 – 7 PM | RSVP
The Ultimate Festival Day Party
hosted by D-Nice & T-Boz
Treehouse | 2 – 8 PM | Tickets
27th Annual All White Affair
ft. Raheem DeVaughn
The Metropolitan | 3 PM – 10 PM | Tickets
Ladies Love 90s & 2000s
hosted by Bryan Michael Cox
Fulton Alley | 10 PM – 2:30 AM | Tickets
The Iconic Black & White Affair
featuring Bobby V
House of Blues | 10 PM – 3 AM | Tickets
The Ultimate Festival Weekend
hosted by Teyana Taylor
Treehouse | 10 PM – 3 AM | Tickets
400 Degrees on the Bayou: Juvenile & Mannie Fresh Performing Live
Empire | 11 PM – 3 AM | Tickets
LIVE MUSIC
Juice
Good Measure [The Barnett] | 9 PM – 12 AM | More Info
SUNDAY, JULY 5
BRUNCH
Fourth of July + Essence Fest Weekend: VIP Brunch
Nice Guys NOLA | 11 AM | Tickets
Brunch on Sunday
DJ Sam
The Nieux | 11 AM – 2 PM | Tickets
PARTIES
The Greek Day Party Curated Experience: For The Culture
Bryant Park Nola | 11 AM | Tickets
Day-cation: Lance Gross Birthday Celebration Day Party
w/ Tyrese, Tyler Lesley + DJ Envy
Treehouse | 2 PM – 8 PM | Tickets
Sunset on St. Charles
Deejay Juice
The Nieux | 2 – 8 PM | Tickets
Sunday Funday Day Party
hosted by Mannie Fresh
Fulton Alley | 3 – 8 PM | Tickets
Uncs & Teedys ESSENCE Wknd Day Party
ft. Terrence J, Larenz Tate + Mannie Fresh
The Metropolitan | 3 PM – 8 PM | Tickets
PLIES 40 & Up with a GOOD JOB All White Dayparty
Republic NOLA | 3 – 9 PM | Tickets
Feenin: Sexy R&B + Deep Cuts
sounds by Mikey Offline + DJ Ohso
Virgin Hotels | 8 PM – 1 AM | Tickets
The Ultimate Festival Weekend Finale
hosted by Ashanti
Treehouse | 10 PM – 3 AM | Tickets
YFN Lucci’s All Black Everything Festival Weekend Climax
The Metropolitan | 10 PM – 3:30 AM | Tickets
EXPERIENCES
Matchas & Melanin
St. Noir Cafe | 4 – 7 PM | RSVP
LIVE MUSIC
Tonya Boyd-Cannon Experience
St. Noir Cafe | 6 – 9 PM | No Cover