New Orleans Signs On To Host Essence Music Festival For Five More Years, Fest Expands To Five Days

Essence Music Festival is planning an extra special shindig to celebrate Essence magazine’s 50th anniversary by expanding to five days for the first time in 2020. Festival organizers broke the news Nov. 4, in addition to announcing the event had officially partnered with the city of New Orleans to continue hosting the festival for the next five years. 

President of Essence communications Michelle Ebanks finalized the five-year deal with New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell with help from Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, according to WVUE. 

“25 years the festival has been here it turned a dormant summer season into a vibrant time of year and its exciting, and I tell you as a woman leading this city feeling like Essence has been a part of my family and the city of New Orleans,” Cantrell said. 

Essence Festival has an annual economic impact of $300 million, totaling an estimated $4 billion dollars in its 25-year history, according to the Fox-affiliated television station. 

Essence Festival returns to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome July 1-5. Tickets for the evening concerts are on sale now. VIP power passes will be available soon, including access to all three nights of evening concerts, VIP access to additional events like Beauty Carnival, Fashion House, the After Dark series and more.

The After Dark series includes comedy shows, live podcasts and underground performances. More details will be announced. 

The Conferences portion of Essence Festival features the Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF), E-Suite, keynotes, panel discussions and interviews.

The 2019 festival featured performances from Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, Nas, H.E.R., Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, Pharrell Williams, Lil Jon and more.