2023 ESSENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS & PARTY GUIDE

The Essence Music Festival is renowned for being a “Party With a Purpose”, drawing over 600,000 festival-goers annually to the City of New Orleans. It features star-studded actors and actresses, major artists, empowering workshops, shopping, food and more. Throughout the years, this event has been the highlight of New Orleans’ summer music scene, with top-sellers in the African American and crossover music scenes attending in great numbers. Some of the greatest music artists of all time have taken the stage here, including Beyoncé, Prince, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Jeffrey Osborne, The Dells, Peabo Bryson, Lionel Richie, Frankie Beverly and Maze, and many more. Every year, the Superdome hosts the grand finale of the three-day event, with a different Entertainer taking the stage each time. If you’re looking for the hottest celebrity day parties, convention center exhibit events, concerts and after parties, check out our 2023 Essence Festival Party Guide.