Your browser is not supported. For the best experience, use any of these supported browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
Skip to main content
PayPal Preferred Payments Partner
Essence Festival of Culture

R&B

Essence Festival of Culture Tickets

go to reviews
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 based on 3546 reviews

Events0 Results

No more results on this page

About

About ESSENCE Festival

Since its 1995 debut, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture has helped shape, define, and celebrate black music and culture. Held every July 4th weekend, the multi-day event initially was meant to be a one-time affair to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ESSENCE magazine. However, it turned out to be an incredibly impactful and empowering event, prompting its return the following year and subsequently evolving into one of the largest and most highly regarded annual festivals in the United States.

While you'll need to purchase tickets to catch the music at #essencefest, anyone can check out the free daily activities and panels held throughout the weekend which includes expert panels, workshops and shopping focused on beauty, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, and more.

This year marks the 30th birthday of the Essence Festival of Culture! The party with a purpose" always includes a stacked lineup of music's biggest names in hip-hop, R&B, soul, funk, and gospel. Throughout the years, there have been many memorable performances and this year will be no different. Buy your tickets and come party with us for our dirty thirty!

Reviews

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 based on 3546 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome

    by Dre on 7/6/23

    Essence this year was special performances by entertainers I haven’t seen perform in years Simply marvelous

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Incredible...

    by Loved the Essence Festival on 7/6/23

    Everything about the concerts were great. From purchasing the tickets to the venue and actual concerts everything was great.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    First time but not my last.

    by LinB on 7/5/23

    The event was great. I would suggest you put the actual line up schedule in the APP. Not everyone uses instagram or twitter. The app should be the one stop shop. Also on Friday night the sound was off horrible during a couple sets. The second night was much better. Definitely needs improvement.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Miss Hit

    by ShonshaE on 7/5/23

    Overall the EssenceFest was a hit. However, the number of attendees seems to have significantly dropped. And although the Hulu streaming was a good idea during COVID, I think it is contributing to less people attending (which makes it a little boring). Additionally, I wish the concert series was for 18 and above. This year the temp was extremely hot and shuttle buses would have been a good idea for transport to and from various events-not to mention for safety as well. The panelists and performers did their thing per usual. Had a good time either way. Will be in the house next year too.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Bring back some R&B to Essence

    by OG Jay on 7/5/23

    First time there, and lots of lovely folk there, but more R & B acts needed. Some house music acts also. Redeeming value was Jill Scott, Janelle Monae and Missy Elliott.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Needs Work

    by Lady J on 7/5/23

    The sound was terrible. They had tye music turned up louder than the musicians microphones. Start times of 11pm and midnight are way too late. Go back to having super lounges and put the performance times out in an ample amount of time before the concert date

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Essence New Orleans

    by Mike on 7/5/23

    I would of gave 5 star rating… the only reason is the lack of comfortable seating inside the Caesar’s SuperDome . This was the only issue was the right seating area above main stage seating. Other than that it was an excellent experience as it was me & wife’s first Essence Festival we’ve been to. And it also was our 9th anniversary trip . We loved the celebration of 50 years of Hip-Hop & the surprise performance of Lil Wayne. Thanks Essence Fest !! Until the next one or time we’re able to come.

  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    Great acts but needs improvement.

    by MusicLover on 7/5/23

    Great acts but the process of of entering the facility was horrible. It's 2023 and asking people to print tickets is ridiculous. Once I entered the facility, the sound was terrible. For three days the mics were muffled for most of the artists and hosts. In addition, Essence needs to leave the propaganda for the Civic Center. Not interested in hearing or seeing "commercials"during the concerts.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome Best Ever

    by DCT on 7/5/23

    2023 Essence Festival was the best out of all the years I attend, at least 20 or more time. Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne &Egan The Stallion was the truth. I loved the old/new school rap. Dirty South & West Coast Rap

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Enjoyed every minute!

    by Drin on 7/5/23

    My first experience, every concert was well worth the wait and the money

  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    Very unorganized

    by Ann on 7/5/23

    Please provide a list of artist and time of performances on the Essence website. Concerts started too late. Sound system was horrible. You couldn’t hear what the people on the side stage was saying. What a waste. Too much time between performances. Ensure all tv’s work so handicapped people can enjoy the performance. My husband and I could see the concert and could bearly hear. Everyone was complaining about non working TVs. Start planning now for next year. Food was good just expensive..

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Essence Festival 2023

    by Ruth66 on 7/5/23

    This was my first time attending the Essence Festival since 2018. Things have changed a lot! The performance didn’t start on time. Even though Spinderella was great as DJ, there was too much time in between each performance.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Missing some excitement

    by Diana on 7/5/23

    Loved the artists but the gap between each performer was a bit boring. This years host were not engaging.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Ridiculous

    by Cher on 7/5/23

    This event was unorganized. The phone app was not working. We (many others) did not have access to the barcode on the phone. The staff at the Superdome refused to key in the barcode. I was directed to go to the Box Office to have our tickets printed out. Although it wasn't a Ticket Masters issue, customers had to stand in another long line in extreme triple-digit heat. It was a heartless act on the Superdome's supervisory to have elderly customers walk to the Box Office. We are in the twenty-first century it is imperative having your technology up to par for a significant event.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great experience

    by Lauress on 7/5/23

    The 2023 Essence Festival was wonderful. The Hip Hop Tribute was spectacular! Entry into the arena fast. The temperature inside the arena was great as the temperature outside was mid 90s. If you've never attended the Essence Festival you should make plans now to attend in 2024.

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    Poorly organized

    by Girly Girl on 7/5/23

    So frustrating. Apps not properly working creating total chaos to enter the convention center, security fails with bags entering the concerts. Lack of organization and knowledgeable staff perpetuating crowds and frustration. Please do better, its sad to see how far down Essence Fest has gone.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Beyond Expectations

    by Lisa J on 7/5/23

    Essence Festival is a whole different type of vibe. It was excellent. It was my first time in New Orleans & my first time attending Essence Fest. That has to be the best vacation I've ever had. Can't wait for next year.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Overall fun but small details were missed

    by Sim1nlowkey on 7/5/23

    Essence Fest is great festival for first timers! It was fun, jam packed with surprises, and leaves you exhausted by the end of it all. There are events for every interest: music, movies, beauty. You also learn about business and social media. It’s a great place to network. There are seminars you can attend, and having the app gets you an inside look on events run by the festival. I really enjoyed my time here. For the small details…many of the festival workers had no idea of the layout or where to recommend that you go when you have questions. Many of them didn’t know much about the station they were in charge of managing and weren’t sure who to let have access and who not to. People handed things out that they didn’t know anything about so it just made for MANY confusing situations. Additionally I was not aware that the convention center activities would be over by early evening so one day we expected to have more time and didn’t. My suggestions for those that choose to visit in the future: 1. Wear comfortable shoes 2. Show up early. Parking can be confusing. 3. Be prepared to shift your plans. Things can change quickly with the weather. 4. It is HOT! Prepare for chafing 5. Purchase event tickets in advance! VIP experience is worth it! We made our own custom fragrances, had a seating area, free drink, and complementary hours d'oeuvres. 6. Download the app! Just do it…trust me. 7. The fits are fittin! So dress to impress! 8. Stay as close to downtown New Orleans as you can (walking distance is best). Traffic will be backed up! Also know how to navigate out of the immediate area because navigation will be down on your phone. 9. GO TO ACME OYSTER HOUSE AND GET CHARGRILLED OYSTERS! (The one in Metairie is the best imho). 10. Bring a positive attitude and soak up the culture! Try to have fun no matter what happens.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    A Vibe

    by Charity on 7/5/23

    I had a blast at Essence Fest with my sorors. Everyone was so friendly and the food was the bomb.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Intermission

    by Tisa on 7/5/23

    After each performance there was a 30-40 plus intermission to acknowledge sponsors, which is great! However, the time was too long! Performances should have been back to back with at least a 10-20 min break in between each performance! Concert was extremely long! Waiting until after 2am for someone to come out to perform, was ridiculous! Some performers wasn’t introduced, like Jill Scott. Jill just started singing out of nowhere! Tacky. I didn’t go to the last day of performance because I knew it would be extremely long for no reason. Ticket wasted and money lost on a 3 day concert pass. There was no way to recover lost money for a ticket that I didn’t get to use! I want to come back to the Essence Fest next year but skeptical because of the wait time between each performance.