ESSENCE Fest 2025’s theme We Are “Made Like This.”
July 3 - July 6
Get Ready for the Ultimate Celebration of Culture, Music & Black Excellence!
Every 4th of July weekend, New Orleans becomes the heartbeat of Black culture — and
the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture®, presented by Coca-Cola®, is bringing the
energy like never before!
This isn’t just a music festival — it’s a powerful celebration of Black joy, resilience, and
creativity that unites generations through sound, soul, and style. Picture four
unforgettable days filled with legendary performances, deep conversations, empowering
experiences, and a city that lives and breathes culture.
✨ Celebrating 55 years of ESSENCE Magazine — a cornerstone of Black womanhood
and storytelling — this year’s festival is set to be one for the books.
Just announced in the second wave of the lineup:
�The iconic Babyface will bless the stage with decades of R&B hits,
� The incredible Jill Scott returns with “Jill Scott & Friends,” a powerful tribute to the
soulful sounds of Philadelphia, featuring the voices of
� Patti LaBelle,
� Jazmine Sullivan,
� And the queen herself, Jill Scott.
Whether it’s your first time or you’ve made it a tradition, Essence Festival 2025 is the
place to be — for the vibes, the culture, and the unforgettable moments.
� Mark your calendar.
� Book your stay.
� And get ready to be part of something historic.
New Orleans. July 4th Weekend. Be there.