#TNCTHINGSTODO: Festival Week Guide

From panels and pop-ups to parties and performances — your Festival weekend starts right here!

Y’all, the big weekend has officially arrived — and we’ve got all the best events for you to check out. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned ESSENCE Fest pro, this guide is here to help you navigate it all.

But first — a few quick survival tips:

• Bring a fan (seriously, you’ll thank us)

• Wear cute but comfortable shoes (you’ll be walking — a lot)

• Know where you’re headed (we’ve got links below)

👉 Download the ESSENCE360 app — this is a must. It’s your weekend GPS, from Convention Center schedules to nightly concerts in the Superdome.

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Our Highlights This Year:

💼 The Global Black Economic Forum Stage
We’re official media partners this year! Catch us at GBEF all weekend long. If you're an entrepreneur, healthcare professional, or just about your business — this is your stage. Expect powerful convos, top-tier speakers, and intentional networking.

🎥 ESSENCE GU Creators House (at Common House)
This one’s for the content creators, storytellers, and creatives. If you’re a Common House member, word is you don’t need an RSVP 👀.

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🎶 Events We’re Excited About:

Some of our favorites are back and bringing the energy all weekend long:

• ENERGY! Experience by ANTWIGADEE!

• Velvet Sessions

• 1-800-FEENIN x Bashment Ting

• Just Gems by DJ FTK

• Lagniappe by RQ Away

These are just a few of the standouts we’re looking forward to — and there’s so much more happening across the city. Make room in your weekend for a mix of things: hit a live show, pull up to a networking event, slide through a pop-up, or catch a wellness moment.

Whether you're visiting or calling New Orleans home, this is the time to explore, connect, and experience it all. Trust — we got you covered.

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✨ Paid Subscriber Perks:
If you're subscribed to the paid version of this guide, we’ve included a few exclusive invites and VIP events below. Thank you for supporting — and we hope to see you out there.

📸 Don’t forget:
Tag us in your recaps and wherever you end up. If you follow any of our picks, shout us out — we’d love to repost and show you some love!

Stay safe, stay cool, and enjoy the weekend.

- The Nola Collective

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All events are organized into categories by date and linked for easy access.

* = recurring weekly | 🍸= TNC Favorites | 😊 = Solo-Friendly (Events perfect for enjoying on your own) | 💼 = Business/Networking Events

Art + Community + Wellness

Wednesday 7.2

1. Nola Miles Club- Run/Walk at Lafitte Greenway 6:00pm-8:00pm🍸😊

2. Night Time BABY Goat Yoga at Paradigm Gardens 7:30pm-8:30pm😊

Thursday 7.3

1. AT&T Dream in Black Presents BATTLE OF JOLLOF vs. JAMBALAYA at Xavier University 3:00pm-7:00pm😊

Friday 7.4

1. Nola Secret BBQ Sesh w/ DJ PJ +more at Kermit’s Lounge 12:00pm-8:00pm

2. She Builds She Blooms at Freedom Apothecary 2:00pm-5:00pm😊💼

3. IN MY OWN LANE- A visual memoir by Cubs the Poet at 525 St. Ann Street 5:00pm-8:00pm🍸😊

4. NOLA Essence Bike Night starts at Orleans & Claiborne 7:00pm

5. Dawn & Friends: A Sonic Lounge and Open Mic Experience at Studio BE 8:30pm-Midnight😊

Saturday 7.5

1. QualifyHER 5k Walk and Run at Woldenberg Park 7:00am-Until 😊

2. Nola Miles Club- Run/Walk at City Park 8:00am-9:30am🍸

3. MAAFA 25th Anniversary starts at Congo Square 8:00am-12:30pm😊

4. Breathe, Balance, + Believe- Yoga + Panel at Virgin Hotel 10:00am-12:00pm😊

5. Still We Bloom: Celebrating Self-Determined Women in Education at Chapter IV 10:00am-12:00pm😊💼

6. Spicy Mango Grand Opening 11:00am

7. 2025 Nurse Power Brunch at The Westin 11:00am-3:00pm😊💼

8. Pull Up Yo Own Seat Creative Influencer Mixer at St. Noir 12:00pm-2:00pm😊💼

9. GU Creators House at Common House 12:00pm-6:00pm😊🍸

10. Essence Festival 2025: Celebrating Black Women in Environmental Justice at NOPSI Hotel 1:00pm-3:00pm😊

11. NOLA Creator Market at The Lakehouse 2:00pm-7:00pm

12. Not Just For Me, But 4 U- Photo Exhibition w/ Gil Starks at 2358 St. Claude Ave 6:00pm-11:00pm😊

Sunday 7.6

1. What A Time For a Pop Up w/ XO, Ranata & Lil Miah at 840 S Peters St. 12:00pm-6:00pm🍸😊

2. GU Creators House at Common House 12:00pm-6:00pm😊🍸

3. NOLA Creator Market at The Lakehouse 2:00pm-7:00pm😊

4. Reset at Sunset XVI at Lafitte Greenway 3:00pm-8:00pm (Wear White) 😊🍸

Live Music & Entertainment + Festivals

Wednesday 7.2

1. The Drop Inn Jam Session at Dew Drop Inn 8:00pm-12:00am😊🍸

Thursday 7.3

1. Black Girl Giggle - Comedy Festival - Thursday - Sunday 😊

2. Night In Nawlins w/ Leela James, Eric Roberson, Jon B & Shae Universe at Tipitina’s 6:00pm-Until😊

3. Lin Noir: A Black Linen Beer Dinner Experience at Brewery Saint X! 6:00pm-9:00pm😊

4. The Catalyst Interlude Refueled- Poetry Night by John Lacarbiere at NOLA Fueled Tacos 7:00pm-Until🍸😊

5. Dancin with the Duffle - Line Dance Class Series at Blue Flamingo 7:00pm-9:00pm😊

Friday 7.4

1. ESSENCE® GU® KICKBACK at The Fillmore 1:00pm-6:00pm🍸😊

2. Sweet Lorraine’s Present Juice w/ Elle Varner & DJ RQ Away 9:00pm

Saturday 7.5

1. La Reezy & PJ Morton's "Pardon Me, I'm Different" EP release party w/ Sounds by ANTWIGADEE! at Studio BE 11:00am-3:00pm

2. Live Music & Brunch! Legends of the Dew Drop: Road to Rock and Roll at Dew Drop Inn 12:00pm-2:30pm

3. DO THE ZYDECO! Line Dance Pop-up with Level Water at 449 Poydras St. 6:30pm-8:30pm😊

4. The Session R&B Jam w/ DJ Arie Spins at The Jazz Market 7:00pm-Until

5. HaSizzle Presents: Hotsizzle Summer of Bounce w/ Vickeelo, Sissy Nobby, 504 Icygirl, DJ Rockie & JST ERI at Chickie Wah Wah 7:00pm

6. Mia X & Friends LIVE at Sweet Lorraine’s 10:00pm-Until

Sunday 7.6

1. Kenyon Dixon w/ Guest Artist: Kayla Love & Arie Spins at Sweet Lorraine’s 7:00pm-Until

Parties + Happy Hours + Listening Sessions

Wednesday 7.2

1. Vino & RnB at Virgin Hotel 6:30pm-9:30pm🍸😊

2. Luv & Heartbreak Ft. Neyo at Metro 8:00pm-Until

3. Bloom + Beat + Grown Folks Music w/ DJ FTK & DJ PUDGE at Nightbloom 9:00pm-2:00am🍸

Thursday 7.3

1. Finance & Real Estate - Happy Hour at K Social 5:00pm-8:00pm

2. Politics After Dark w/ Summer Indigo at 226 Decatur 6:00pm-9:00pm

3. The Velvet Sessions: A Live R&B Experience at Barrel Proof 6:00pm-12:00am 🍸

4. Golden Hour- Festival Social at Hide/Seek 7:00pm-11:00pm😊

5. Wine & Rhymes w/ Ghazi Gamali & ET Deaux at The Celestine 7:00pm-10:00pm

6. FEENIN x Bashment Ting w/ Felice Gee, Mikey Offline & PUDGE at Tell Me BAr 7:00pm-12:30am 🍸

7. Brass-A-Holics at The Jazz Playhouse 7:00pm

8. Festival Welcome Gala w/Cedric Richmond, Troy Carter & LaToya Cantrell at Metro 8:00pm-12:00am

9. CTRL + FEEL w/ Spin Griffey at No Dice 9:00pm-Until

10. Just Gems w/ DJ FTK, Rakimbeau & Sean Falyon at Rabbit Hole 10:00pm-2:00am🍸

11. Club Quarantine Live After Dark w/ D-Nice at The Fillmore 10:00pm-Until

12. The Calm Before The Storm Official Fest Welcome Gala AFTER PARTY w/ JON B at Metro 11:30pm-3:00am

Friday 7.4

1. Greek House Day Party w/ Jae Murphy at Treehouse 2:00pm-Until

2. Drunk’n Karaoke w/ Bryan Michael Cox & DJ Kid Nice at Hide/Seek 8:00pm-Until*

3. Brown Sugar w/ DJ JESS & DJ E CLAZZ at Virgo 9:00pm-2:00am

4. Idapo w/ Funke & Salah Ananse at Anna’s 9:00pm-Until

5. BHen Block Party at Civic Center 9:00pm-2:00am

6. ENERGY! *4th of July* EXPERIENCE by ANTWIGADEE! at Cafe Istanbul 10:00pm-2:00am🍸

7. OPULENCE Presents Fireworks w/ DJ Juane Jordan at Foundation Room 10:00pm-Until 🍸

8. Freewater Rebirth w/ Maaly G, Treyylb & Aliyuhh at Club Arora 10:30pm-3:00am

9. Flower Bois w/ DJ FTK, RQ Away & Heelturn at Poorboys 11:00pm-Late

Saturday 7.5

1. Link-Up: A Day Party Featuring Andre Power with Pellow Talk, Pro$per Jone$ & RM47 at Civic Theatre 1:00pm-Until

2. Day- Cation w/ Lance Gross & Terrence J at Treehouse 2:00pm-Until

3. The Dusse Day Party w/ Bryan-Michael Cox at Jolie 2:00pm-7:00pm

4. Sun Up Sun Down w/ DJ Reggie Black, DJ Rov, DJ FTK & more at Sidecar 3:00pm-8:00pm

5. Sunkissed Saturdays w/ Young Redd Ent at Dew Drop Inn 3:00pm

6. Pre Game Pool Party w/ DJ FTK & Rakimbeau at Hyatt Centric 3:00pm-7:00pm

7. Rhythm & Brims w/ DJ Jess & DJ E-Clazz at NOPSI 4:00pm-Until

8. #IIDFL90sRnB WKEND Edition w/ Keith Jacobs at Foundation Room 9:00pm-2:00am

9. The After Party: Hosted by Method Man at Sheraton 10:00pm-3:00am

10. Trell’s Clubhouse w/ Say Trell at The Library 10:00pm-Until

11. SET DE FLO w/ Hyperace, Lord Chilla & Kilobauud at Poorboys 10:00pm-5:00am

12. First Saturdays- ESSENCE Weekend w/ DJ FTK at Addis NOLA 10:00pm-3:30am 🍸

13. DJ RQ Away Presents Lagniappe With Special Guest DJ Sean Falyon at Tipitina’s 10:00pm-Until 🍸

14. WFTN ESSENCE at Republic NOLA 10:00pm-3:00am

Sunday 7.6

1. The Dandy Affair w/ DJ Al B at Backatown Coffee 1:00pm-5:00pm

2. Inaugural All White Brunch at K Social: Festival Weekend at K Social 1:00pm-8:00pm

3. The Luxe Escape w/ DJ FTK at Jolie 2:00pm-7:00pm

4. Shades of Melanin Afrobeats x R&B Day Party ft. Lance Gross w/ DJ Ojay & DJ Jess at Sidecar 3:00pm-8:00pm

5. Sunday Funday w/ Mannie Fresh at Fulton Alley 3:00pm-8:00pm

6. Soul Session w/ Mikey Offline & DJ FTK at Dew Drop Inn 9:00pm-Until 🍸

7. Festival Weekend Finale w/ Muni Long at Treehouse 10:00pm-Until

8. Forever Black Album Release Party w/ Kilobauud & Juice at Saturn Bar 10:00pm-Late

9. Club Quarantine Live After Dark w/ D-Nice at The Fillmore 10:00pm-Until