The Essence Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® returns to New Orleans July 3-5, 2026, featuring a nightly evening concert series lineup structured into three distinct concert experiences.
Friday is built around what’s happening right now. Cardi B will make her Essence Festival debut with Ratt and Kehlani, who are both on an active album cycle. The night will include moments beyond music, with one of the world’s most powerful voices set to take to the stage.
Saturday’s live experience will focus on R&B. Brandi and Monica continue to take the stage together as a draw, Patti LaBelle returns, and Leon Thomas and Josh Levi represent the movement in the genre. One more voice is pending for another reveal related to the definitive R&B album.
Sunday ends with one of the most distinctive moments of the weekend. George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic bring Mothership back to New Orleans for the first time in 50 years for a collaborative performance featuring Big Boi, Scarface, Big Freedia, Nona Hendrix, Durand Bernhardt, as well as Babyface and Public Enemy.
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Source: Talking With Tami – www.talkingwithtami.com
