Essence Festival is coming up this weekend. It’s a very exciting event. There’s a multitude of Black people. Roughly 500,000 people attend. Mostly women though. If you saw the movie Girls Trip you’d have an idea of what to expect. As a matter of fact, I had a small cameo in the movie.
The festival is an annual event held in New Orleans, Louisiana near Fourth of July weekend. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are filled with great entertainment, various music, empowerment, beauty, & art. I’ve been there three times. Each time was with my husband. I’d like to go with my girlfriends or my cousins, but we just can’t seem to get it together in time to go.
I’d advise all women to go at least once. I’ve been three times already. Essence Festival feels like a big family reunion. You can meet new people and create long-lasting memories. I sure did!
10 Things to Remember at Essence Festival
1. Book Hotel Early
If you know you’re going, reserve your room because they fill quickly. The best time to book is in January or February. It’s best to stay in the downtown area. Popular and convenient areas: French Quarter, Warehouse District, and Central Business District. These are within decent walking distance to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and New Orleans Superdome. These hotel prices will vary from $175 to $250+ per night. Some hotels may require a minimum 3-night stay. Now, these rooms are expensive and it is cheaper to stay on the outskirts of New Orleans. However, in my opinion, the experience isn’t the same.
2. How To Get There?
Well, that depends on your budget and the amount of time you are willing to spare. My husband drove us from SC to New Orleans and from Atlanta to New Orleans round trip. If you can afford it fly. Here are some pros and cons of driving.
Driving Pros and Cons
| PRO | CON |
| Spend less money on transportation | Extra mileage and wear and tear on car, if not renting |
| Can visit other states | Long ride going and coming, could spend more time in the city |
| Avoid using rideshare or taxi | Parking fee (>$100) |
| Less hassle if decide to stay longer than planned | Stopping for fuel |
| Sense of controlling your destination | Potential accidents, traffic jam |
| Bonding time with passenger(s) | May have to take an alternate route, prolonging trip |
3. Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
You must come here! It’s totally free!! There are lots of freebies: food samples, concert ticket giveaways, hair-dos, makeup, t-shirts, tote bags, hair products, fitness, and more. Empowerment seminars are held here. You will see celebrities at various panels, booths, or just walking through the aisles. Keep your phone charged! If you get hungry, vendors have food for purchase also.
Black Girls Rock Creator, Beverly Bond 
Chef Roble 
Maxwell 
RHOA, Kandi Burris 
Charleston Gourmet Burger Company-The WilsonDebriano’s 
Ava Duvernay and The Real Cast 
Ms. Oprah Winfrey
4. Essence Festival Concerts
There are concerts each night Fri-Sun. You can buy tickets for each night or only one if you choose. At the Superdome, performances are on the Main Stage and in the Superlounge. If there’s an artist that you really don’t want to see on the Main Stage, you can go stand in the Superlounge, and then return to your seat for the Main Stage performance. Artists featured this year on the Main Stage include Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg, and Jill Scott to name a few. Some of the Superlounge performers this year are new sensations: H.E.R, Ella Mai, Kelela, Jussie Smollet, and Daniel Caesar.
Faith Evans 
Babyface 
New Edition 
5. Essence Festival App
It will help you stay up-to-date with what’s happening during the festival. This year the app is needed to enter the Convention Center according to festival.essence.com. Go ahead and delete things from your phone to make room for the app. You don’t want to miss out. In my previous years of going, I signed up to receive text messages. Guess that’s history now.
6. Free Performances
At the Convention Center on Sunday, Gospel artists will perform. The last time I went it was definitely a praise party going on! Tamala Mann killed it! You know she took us to the King. We stood at the Walmart booth and tore the roof off singing, “Every Praise”, by Hezekiah Walker. There was a beautiful worship experience with Brian Courtney Wilson as he sang, “Worth Fighting For.”
7. Sightsee
Put some money back into the economy and see the city of New Orleans. There are swamp tours, city tours, and carriage rides. Similar to activities in Savannah, Georgia. Walk through Jackson Square or Bourbon Street and marvel at the street performers. Treat yourself to a beignet at the popular Cafe’ du Monde cafedumonde.com. Don’t forget to try a Creole dish at legendary Dooky Chase’s Restaurant dookychaserestaurant.com.
8. Essence Magazine
Typically when you buy concert tickets via Ticketmaster you automatically get a complimentary 12-month subscription to the magazine.
9. Stay Hydrated
Ok, the health nut in me, couldn’t leave out the importance of hydration. It’s very hot down there in NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana). It’s hot from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same. On one of the first trips, I recall parking the vehicle in the garage and the thermostat read 110 degrees and it was 2 AM.
10. What To Pack for Essence Festival?
Now after you’ve taken in all of the info that’s listed prior and are really going. Here are some suggestions for your luggage. Items you may overlook.
- Small purse or man bag
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Cash
- Over the Counter meds
- Flats
- Sneakers
- White outfit (in case you go to an All White Party)
Facebook Friends, you can always go to my page and relive the Essence Festival fun.