A Cultural Legacy Born in New Orleans
Dubbed “a vibrant homecoming and cultural pilgrimage,” the annual ESSENCE Festival of Culture began in New Orleans in 1995 and was initially supposed to be a one-time event to honor the 25th anniversary of ESSENCE Magazine – but its massive success brought a return the following year, and again the year after that, and every year since then for the last 30, in what has now become an annual tradition and cultural beacon for championing Black women and Black excellence across the nation.
Honoring 30 Years of Black Excellence
To celebrate its 30th anniversary (and the 55th anniversary of ESSENCE), the 2025 edition of the Festival of Culture, presented by Coca-Cola, will feature an ensemble of music acts, empowerment panels, fashion exhibitions, good food and an overarching framework of community engagement and uplift – all while honoring the past, celebrating the present, and shaping the future of Black joy, artistry and excellence.
The Largest Annual Celebration of Black Culture
Often called “a party with a purpose,” the Festival of Culture is considered a cultural mecca-type event that draws millions of people each year and is the largest annual Black culture and music festival in the country – not to mention being the longest-running and most lucrative, with an economic impact that has now reached billion-dollar heights. Taking place in New Orleans every year (except in 2006 when it was held in Houston after Hurricane Katrina), the ESSENCE festival’s biggest aim is to bring together the most influential artists in Hip-Hop, Soul, R&B, funk and gospel with their Evening Concert Series, and to create a space where community engagement and celebration meet.
A Star-Studded Lineup for the Ages
Though there’s much more to the Fest of Culture than the music, it is arguably one of its biggest attractions. This year the festival will honor a wide-ranging and diverse array of artists and performers, spanning multiple generations and various genres. From Boyz II Men and GloRilla to Erykah Badu and Nas and many, many more (including what’s said to be the final performance by NOLA’s own Master P), the stage will be set for an unforgettable night with a collection of artists unlike any other.
Celebrating the ESSENCE of 55 Years
This year’s festival is also especially tailored to “the fans who grew up on the Superdome stage and discovered their future favorites in the Superlounge. As ESSENCE Magazine celebrates 55 years of storytelling, spirit, and truth, every detail in this year’s festival continues to affirm that we are, indeed, Made Like This.” This year’s theme, as such, is ‘Made Like This,’ which is both an homage to ESSENCE’s 55-year milestone and an acknowledgement of those who continue to uphold its excellence.
Festival Dates, Streaming Access, and More
The festival will begin on the 3rd of July and go through the weekend, ending Sunday the 6th. Parts of the event will be available on Hulu and other streaming sites, TBA.
For more information and/or to secure your seats now, visit https://www.essence.com/essencefestival2025/.
