2025 ESSENCE Festival to Celebrate 55th Anniversary in New Orleans

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is set to return to New Orleans from July 4-6, 2025, marking its 31st edition and the 55th anniversary of ESSENCE Magazine. This year's theme, 'We Are Made Like This,' honors the legacy of Black culture and excellence that has shaped the world. A stellar lineup includes GloRilla, Summer Walker, Muni Long, Maxwell, and Boyz II Men, among others, with a special tribute titled 'ESSENCE Flowers' celebrating the music of Quincy Jones curated by Jermaine Dupri. The festival promises a blend of intimate daytime experiences at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and expansive evening performances at the Caesars Superdome. It aims to reflect and celebrate Black culture through music, lifestyle events, and more. Attendees can expect a rich cultural experience that reinforces ESSENCE's decades-long legacy of advocacy and storytelling.