In 1995, a special festival happened in honor of the 25-anniversary of Essence magazine. Back then, no one could ever know that it would become one of the most important US music festivals with lineups dedicated to African American culture.
New Orleans, Louisiana, is the usual host, with one exception in 2006 due to Hurricane Katrina. Each year, the Essence Music Festival lineup invites the audience that loves music, pop culture, and fashion to enjoy the unique experience.
But before getting there, let’s learn a few important things about this festival.
When is the Essence Music Festival 2024?
Essence Music Festival is a summer event that’s usually held in July. In 2024, it’s announced to be 4-7 July. This period gives attendees and visitors a unique chance to participate in city-day activities.
Where is the Essence Festival Held?
As mentioned, this is a New Orleans festival, so the usual location is New Orleans, LA. It was once held in Houston, Texas (2006) due to Hurricane Katrina damage in New Orleans. The 2020 festival was postponed, and there was a virtual event next year.
What Music Genres Does the Essence Music Festival Cover?
The Essence Music Festival lineup features hip-hop, R&B, soul, and gospel genres. Still, you should be prepared for surprises because there is something special for festival enthusiasts each year.
In addition to musical surprises, there can also be some commemorative ones. Custom Balloons are a great choice.
Balloons with a music festival logo float up at the end of the last song, conveying the joy of the music festival to every corner. They are not only decorations for the Essence Festival but also a bond of the soul, connecting everyone who loves music. Or balloons with distinct patterns visually form an ocean of music, looking forward to our next gathering.
It is a good way to use balloons with African American cultural theme patterns to highlight the spirit of the music festival. Each balloon witnessed this music carnival and left an unforgettable mark.
Participation Lineup for the 2024 Essence Festival
The wait is finally over. Essence Festival has officially shed light on the 2024 lineup, and it’s at least exceptional! It’s easily one of the best lineups on the festival this year and, without a doubt, worthy of 30 years of Essence anniversary. There is something for everyone, from The Roots to Janet Jackson, Usher to Victoria Monét, and Busta Rhymes to Charlie Wilson. It will be a special year.
In its latest update, Essence unveiled even more fantastic musicians: Big Boi, Donell Jones, Ha Sizzle, Lloyd, Teedra Moses, and T-Pain will be part of this year’s lineup.
- Janet Jackson
- Charlie Wilson
- Birdman & Friends
- Usher
- D-Nice
- Victoria Monét
- Tank and The Bangas
- The Roots & Friends
- Busta Rhymes
- TGT
- SWV
- Ayra Starr
- Frankie Beverly & Maze
- Jacquees
- Big Boi
- Donell Jones
- Ha Sizzle
- Lloyd
- Teedra Moses
- T-Pain
How Much Do the Tickets for the Essence Festival Cost?
According to the official seller, Ticketmaster, the lowest price for Early Bird 3-day tickets is $165.
Regarding the best seats, the price may go up to $1,734 with a discount calculated. Prices mainly depend on the location and how close to the stage you want to be.
Essence 2024 tickets are available on Ticketmaster (affiliate link) and Vivid Seats (affiliate link).
Essence Music Festival Lineup by Day
We now know the official Essence Music Festival Lineup by Day. The organizer shared the lineup for Friday and Saturday, and even if you can only attend one day, it looks incredible. The lineup is final, but stage surprises have already been announced.
| Friday, July 5 2024 | Saturday, July 6 2024 |
|---|---|
| Bryan “Birdman” Williams | Janet Jackson |
| Raphael Saadiq | Victoria Monét |
| The Roots | SWV |
| Mickey Guyton | Tank and The Bangas |
| Ari Lennox | Teedra Moses |
| T-Pain | HaSizzle |
| Busta Rhymes | Dawn Richard |
| Jacquees | Special Tribute to Frankie Beverly with Special Guests |
Important Information about Essence Fest 2024
Essence is an annual festival celebrating African American culture, especially music, with plenty of celebrities performing on stage. Also, you can take part in empowering workshops and exhibitions to support this unique US event.
The festival features a variety of events, including:
- Evening concerts by famous R&B, soul, funk, gospel, and hip-hop artists
- Empowerment Experience with talks focusing on topics like religion, economics, and education
- Beauty and fashion experiences
- Food vendors
To attend this festival, you need to book your tickets early. We know there is no official lineup or some lineup rumor, but booking several months in advance is highly recommended.
If you don’t want to stay for all the music performances, you don’t have to, because you’ll find plenty of additional activities you’ll want to see or attend.
Essence Music Festival Videos
Take a look at previous editions to see how things went. From exceptional acts to beautiful exhibitions, these videos are the reason why you’ll want to invest in 2024 Essence tickets.
Essence Music Festival Gallery
These pictures capture the essence of the Essence! Learn more about the mission and values of this festival through the images we feature:
Essence Music Festival Reviews
Most reviews we found online say it’s one of the best musical events in the US, so people appreciate the values Essence Music Festival promotes.
“I’ve heard of the Essence Festival for years, but I didn’t know that it was chock full of free events! During the day, you can get lost at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. The festival organizers have so many things going on that it was hard to choose one event!”
says RoadlessWandering on TripAdvisor.
“The different stages had wonderful panels that was interesting. The shows was entertaining. The vendors never ended. There was shopping and then more shopping. If you wanna find one of a kind items, Come to Essence Fest and bring an extra suitcase. Celebrities and VIP was accessible. So many interactive activities too.”
says HBYani624 who attended Essence in 2023.
When in New Orleans, you shouldn’t miss the Essence Festival!
Previous Years’ Essence Festival Lineups
The Festival lineup is unveiled, and it’s a great time to remind ourselves of previous years. That’s what it takes to understand why US and worldwide audiences so appreciate this festival.
Essence Festival 2023 Lineup
The 2023 Essence Festival was exciting, with many exceptional African American acts. From Megan Thee Stallion and Ice Cube to Janelle Monae and Lil Jon, attendees had a great chance to experience the authentic culture.
Indeed, the 2023 lineup featured even more acts, including Ludacris, Lauryn Hill, Muni Long, Doug E. Fresh, and Jermaine Dupri.
Participation Lineup for the 2022 Essence Festival
The 2022 edition was special after a one-year break and another year of virtual experience. That year, festival attendees could attend great acts, including:
- Nicki Minaj
- Janet Jackson
- Jazmine Sullivan
- Ghostface Killah
- LeToya Luckett
And many others!
More Similar Music Festivals to Essence
Essence is unique and one-of-a-kind. Still, if you want exceptional musical experiences, you can consider visiting festivals like Coachella, Escape Halloween, Austin City Limits, or Outside Lands – all based in the US, promoting great music and musical culture. But if you like a music festival that celebrates African American culture, we want to recommend the Broccoli City Festival (July 27-28) with all our hearts. The Broccoli City Festival lineup for 2024 is already out.
