*The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is preparing for its return to New Orleans with a newly revealed Evening Concert Series lineup that continues its tradition of blending generations of Black music on one stage. Held for more than three decades, the festival has become a cultural gathering that extends far beyond live performances.
This year’s program adds Babyface and Leon Thomas to a lineup already featuring Cardi B, Latto, Kehlani, Patti LaBelle, Brandy, Monica, Public Enemy, and George Clinton with Parliament-Funkadelic, per ESSENCE.com. The event runs July 3–5 at the Caesars Superdome, with Friday night spotlighting contemporary performers, including rising group SZN4.
Saturday shifts into a more classic R&B focus, highlighted by a joint performance from Brandy and Monica, alongside sets from Patti LaBelle, Josh Levi and Leon Thomas, whose recent music has positioned him as one of the more dynamic voices in contemporary R&B.
Sunday moves toward legacy-driven performances. Babyface is set to highlight a catalog that has influenced decades of R&B songwriting, while Public Enemy brings a politically charged hip-hop presence that has remained consistent throughout their career.
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One of the weekend’s major highlights will be George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, joined by guests including Big Boi, Scarface, Big Freedia, Nona Hendryx, and Durand Bernarr. Doug E. Fresh will close out the festival.
“By day, the programming of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, will introduce a dynamic hub where culture and commerce meet,” per Business Wire. “Across these platforms, founders connect with consumers, filmmakers debut new work, beauty innovators set trends, authors engage new audiences, and entrepreneurs scale their businesses in real time.”
The 2026 daytime programming footprint includes:
- ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival™
- BEAUTYCON™: @ESSENCEFEST Edition
- AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA™
- ESSENCE Film Festival® by ESSENCE STUDIOS™
- ESSENCE Stage™
- SOKO MRKT™ by ESSENCE®
- ESSENCE Authors™
- ESSENCE® GU® Kickback
- GBEF® HQ
Additional performers and programming announcements are expected ahead of the July event, with tickets and travel packages currently available.
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