Essence Music Festival

The Essence Music Festival is an annual music festival that primarily targets African-American women as its audience. Each year, the festival attracts around half a million people. The festival was first held in 1995 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. However, it soon turned into an annual event that has been held around the Fourth of July every year since 1995 except for 2020. Over the years, the Essence Music Festival has earned the nickname of “the party with a purpose.”

Where does the Essence Music Festival Take Place?

Since its inception in 1995, the Essence Music Festival has been held in New Orleans almost every year. In 2006, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced the festival to move to Houston. In a unique twist, the 2016 Essence Music Festival was held in Durban, South Africa. However, virtually every other year the festival has been hosted at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

The Iconic Lineup

Even though the Essence Music Festival is geared toward African-American women, the musical lineups at the festival every year will be appealing to just about anyone. Over the years, some of the greatest performers on the planet have taken the stage at the Essence Music Festival. That list includes Destiny’s Child, Alicia Keys, LL Cool J, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Beyoncé, Usher, Chance the Rapper, Snoop Dogg, and countless others. In fact, many performers have come back to the Essence Music Festival multiple times, helping the event grow bigger every year.

More Than the Music

While the vast array of musical talent is what attracts most people to the Essence Music Festival, it’s only one part of the festivities. Inside the Superdome, the performers get most of the attention. But the festival also includes other events throughout the city of New Orleans, as well as, virtual events that people can check out remotely. The festival has become just as much about culture as it is music, which is why the Essence Music Festival continues to attract a loyal audience and is still going strong more than a quarter-century after it started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are Essence Music Festival tickets?

That’s a loaded question! Essence Music Festival ticket prices will differ depending on the source and days. The cheapest price for Essence Music Festival tickets is usually $120 a ticket, but you could easily be looking at a few hundred dollars more.

How to buy Essence Music Festival tickets?

With demand at a peak, Essence Music Festival ticket prices are going to be pretty high if purchased directly from the box office. That means the best way to buy cheap Essence Music Festival tickets is online through a ticket marketplace. Ticket marketplaces like Gametime are perfect because they put you in contact with resellers looking to move seats at a relative bargain. It’s the safest and most affordable way to get the best price for Essence Music Festival tickets.

How long is the Essence Music Festival?

Essence Music Festival takes place on July 3-5, 2020 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA.