Essence Music Festival is an annual music festival celebrating contemporary African American music and culture. It is the largest event celebrating African American culture and music in the United States. It has been held in New Orleans, Louisiana every year since 1995 except for 2006, where it was held in Houston, Texas due to Hurricane Katrina. Essence Music Festival, known locally as Essence Fest, is sponsored by Essence, a magazine aimed primarily towards African-American women.
Ticket Price: $130.50 - $2,700
Headliners
Festival lineup
- 112
- Amel Larrieux
- Big Sam’s Funky Nation
- Charlie Wilson
- Doug E. Fresh
- Erykah Badu
- Eve
- Janelle Monáe
- Jill Scott
- King
- Ledisi
- Leela James
- Lionel Ritchie
- Liv Warfield
- Marsha Ambrosius
- Mary J. Blige
- Nas
- Naughty By Nature
- Nile Rodgers
- Original Pinettes Brass Band
- Prince
- Raheem Davaughn
- Robert Glasper
- Sebastian Mikael
- Sevyn Streeter
- Stephanie Mills
- Tamar Braxton
- Tank
- The Roots
- Trey Songz
Festival News and Rumors

Life is Beautiful 2023 Lineup Led by Kendrick Lamar, The Killers, Odesza, & More
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The 1975, and Rina Sawayama are also headed to Vegas this September.
Eddie Fu March 28, 2023

Bumbershoot Returns in 2023 with Local Heroes Sleater-Kinney and Sunny Day Real Estate Topping Lineup
Alex Young March 23, 2023

2023 Newport Jazz Festival Lineup: Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, Thundercat, and More
Carys Anderson March 22, 2023

Foo Fighters, Lana Del Rey, Green Day Lead Festival D'été de Québec's 2023 Lineup
Alex Young March 22, 2023

2023 Four Chord Music Fest Lineup: Yellowcard, Taking Back Sunday, The Gaslight Anthem, and More
Spencer Kaufman March 22, 2023