The ESSENCE Music Festival is the nation’s largest African American live musical and cultural experience attracting over 400,000 people from around the world. This four-day event is packed with must-see concerts and events that you definitely don’t want to miss. Each day boasts a jumping block party, a number of outrageous concerts and plenty of empowering messages by your favorite celebrities and role models throughout.

Thursday, July 5     

 10:00-2:00pm

Youth Empowerment Experience

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Cheryl Landrieu, Roshon Fegan & more

3:00-4:30pm

ESSENCE Music Festival Kick-off Press Conference

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Room 209

Presenting & Major Sponsors

7:00-10:00pm

ESSENCE Music Festival New & Next Youth Concert

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Diggy Simmons, OMG Girlz, Coco Jones, Katilyn Nichol, Roshon Fegan & The Roots of Music