The countdown to the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture is on, and organizers shared a closer look at what’s to come during a media preview held Wednesday at the company’s Brooklyn office.
Hosted in Essence’s Dumbo headquarters, the preview offered a behind-the-scenes look at plans for this year’s event, happening July 4–6 in New Orleans. There were no live performances, but the event focused on what fans can expect—from headliners and free daytime events to this year’s theme and new partnerships.
“Essence is among the very few remaining major Black-owned legacy media outlets. It’s our honor to provide coverage of an event so loved and cherished by our culture,” explained Urban Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Dakari Eli.
The festival’s nighttime concerts will once again take place at the Caesars Superdome, with a wide mix of music legends and current chart-toppers set to perform. The confirmed lineup includes Boyz II Men, Davido, Maxwell, Master P, Buju Banton, Donell Jones, GloRilla, The Isley Brothers, Muni Long, Nas, and Summer Walker. A standout moment will be “Essence Flowers: Jermaine Dupri Honors Quincy Jones,” a tribute spanning genres and generations.
While the concerts draw massive crowds, organizers say the heart of the festival lives in its daytime experiences—most of which are free to attend with registration. Held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, these sessions aim to uplift, educate, and connect.
Among the highlights:
- Beautycon™ by ESSENCE, with talks and demos around beauty, wellness, and identity
- ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival, celebrating Black chefs, mixologists, and food culture
- Global Black Economic Forum, with conversations on money, ownership, and innovation
- ESSENCE Film Festival, showcasing stories from across the diaspora
- Community-centered sessions on health, justice, LGBTQ+ experiences, and men’s wellness
This year’s theme, “Made Like This,” will be reflected throughout the weekend—both in serious conversations and celebratory moments. Essence also marks its 55th anniversary this year, and the festival will spotlight the magazine’s role in shaping culture and amplifying Black voices for more than five decades.
Major sponsors are returning, including Disney, Coca-Cola, AT&T, and Target. Attendees can expect interactive brand activations, sneak peeks at new content, and spaces designed to inform and inspire. Disney’s partnership, for example, will bring “Made Like This” to life through immersive experiences tied to Disney+ and upcoming theatrical releases.
Essence organizers said their goal this year is to honor the past while building toward a more connected and empowered future.
Be sure to download the ESSENCE 360 app (available wherever you get your apps) to access full programming and unlock exclusive offers.
