The 2023 Essence Festival of Culture, held in New Orleans, is a landmark event. It’s a Blackity Black event and honestly, that’s what I love most about it!! Not only was this the festival’s 29th year, but it also was a massive party in honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. A time was had!!!
Beyond the Beats
I’ve been to Essence Fest many times. This past year, I went with one of my bestfriends who had never been before, so it was great to experience it through her lens, and I must say, it made me reflect on the first time I went in 2017. This year, I got the opportunity to see r&b and hip hop legends along with new faves. My personal favorites were (in no particular order) Meg the Stallion, Missy Elliot, T.I., Co Co Jones, Lil Wayne, Tems, Lil Jon, and so many more. It’s literally cultures biggest night in music!!
The festival wasn’t just about music, though. It covers culture, fashion, food, politics, entertainment, and so much more! It’s one of the few events that was created BY US FOR US and for that, I will always be a supporter and lover of Essence Fest.
Whether you’ve been multiple times or just a few, I’m going to share a few tips on how to get the most out of your trip along with my recommendations.
Food Recs
New Orleans has some of the best food in the U.S. I may be biased from my love of seafood but, seriously, it’s AMAZING. One thing I won’t do, is steer you wrong when it comes to food. Here are my food recs that are 10/10 amazing!
Lines will be long pretty much everywhere, so prepare to be patient and wait. It’s worth checking online (such as Yelp) to see if the spot you’re wanting to try has a waitlist you can put yourself on. If they have a waitlist, I would suggest getting on it.
Hotel Recs
I’ve stayed in number of hotels in New Orleans and my recommendation is that you stay within the Downtown, Warehouse, and/or Central Business District area in a well known hotel chain. Anything outside of this, I can’t vouch for or recommend. I will say if you are going to concerts at the Superdome, try to stay at a hotel nearby so you can just walk back to your hotel and avoid traffic.
My personal fave is the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. It’s literally like a 5-7 minute walk to the Superdome, very nice, clean and in a great location! (pictured below)
Tips for Essence Fest
Essence Fest is a great time. There are events, parties, concerts, and pop us going on all weekend. There’s always something to do. Here are some of my tips to make your trip the best it can be:
- Book hotel in advance
- Get concert tickets in advance
- Wear comfortable walking shoes (traffic is horrible and they block a lot of things off)
- Purchase a clear bag (particularly if going to the concerts, they have a strict bag policy)
- Map out restaurants you want to eat at (be prepared to wait + try putting yourself on the waiting list)
- Wear comfortable clothing (it get’s HOT in NOLA)
A Cultural Touchstone
The Essence Festival is a cultural phenomenon. It’s a place where Black joy, fashion, and community collide. From the second-line parades through the streets to the vibrant fashion shows, the entire weekend was a celebration of Black culture in all its richness.
If you’ve never been, I highly suggest you go at least once in your lifetime. You won’t regret it.
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