My first trip to the Essence Music Festival was in 2005, with a group of friends from high school.  Since then I’ve been back several times with family and friends and it’s become one of my favorite annual trips.  The concert lineup may change every year, but what remains the same is the great food and music and positive party atmosphere.  Before my first trip, I had lots of questions about what the festival was like.  I found some hints and info on message boards, but wasn’t able to find much.  So fam, let me save you some time searching- here’s what I’ve learned about Essence Fest over the years!

Before You Go

Book Rooms Early

Essence hotel blocks sell out FAST.  The festival is always around 4th of July weekend.  This year it’s the weekend after the 4th.  Travel packages generally start popping up in January. Check the Essence site for festival updates, including information about hotel packages. Also be prepared, the discounted rooms often require pre-payment of at least one night (sometimes more).  If you are able to, stay near Canal Street or in the French Quarter. All the events and many of the parties will be on/around Canal Street, in the French Quarter and near the Convention Center.  You may find cheaper rooms further away, but will spend more money on Lyft/Uber or taxis and could end up sitting in traffic all weekend instead of enjoying yourself.

Stay an Extra Day

Plan to stay for a extra day after the festival ends, especially if it’s your first time in New Orleans.  With hundreds of thousands of people flooding New Orleans for the weekend, there are only so many people who can eat in all the most popular restaurants in a weekend. If Essence ends on Sunday night, try and leave on Tuesday.  Monday is your day to play tourist and go on a food crawl.  If you aren’t able to stay an extra day, be sure to give yourself a lot of extra time to get to the airport.  I’ve heard stories of people missing their flights… while they sat in a taxi AT the airport, just trying to get to the terminal.

What Time Does the Show Start?

For your first time at Essence, I’d strongly suggest choosing one concert night (two at the most) instead of the three night package.  While I’m sure that some people will disagree, hear me out.  The concert lineups are extensive each night.  Concerts start around 7pm and usually run well past midnight.  If you want to catch the full concert and you plan to shower, get cute and make it to the SuperDome for the opening acts, you’ll need to leave whatever day festivities you’ve stumbled upon by about 5pm.

If you’re at a day party or on Bourbon Street on festival weekend, trust me when I say you may not be ready to wrap up the day that early.  We have definitely missed 3 or 4 main stage acts on concert night when we ended up hanging out longer than anticipated.  And here’s the thing- you’re on vacay.  Who wants to rush? Usually we take a look at the concert lineups and just buy tickets in advance for one concert night and then play the other nights by ear.

Get on that Guest List

A few weeks before you leave, start checking Eventbrite for Essence related events.  If you don’t have it already, add the Eventbrite app so all your party tickets will be easy to access.  You’ll find many parties and events that are free with RSVP, and early bird deals that sell out quickly.  Also, check social media using festival hashtags during the weekend for info about parties, pop up shops, celebrity meet and greets and other events you may want to check out.

Less is More

Ladies, be mindful of how much you pack.  I know, it can be hard.  You need options.  I get it.  Just be aware, due to street closures and large festival crowds if you take a shuttle or taxi from the airport they may drop you off a couple blocks from the front door of your hotel.  Annoying enough, but even more so if you packed for a month.  The good news (and the bad news) it will be HOT!  So light, summer clothes are all you need.  Believe me- dodging drunk folks as you roll huge bags through the French Quarter isn’t how you want to start your vacay.  And yes, I have done it.  That’s a story for another time.  I’ve reformed and you can too.  Check out my essential packing tips for Essence here.

What to Pack

It really depends on your style, you’ll see it all from gym clothes to club attire.  I usually like a sundress or a romper and sandals for the day time; a cute dress and heels for the concert/clubs.  If you need a packing list, you can grab a free one here!

You Have Arrived!

You’ve made it, you’re at Essence Fest.  Now what?  Okay, first things first.

Pace Yourself

You can’t see and do everything during Essence weekend.  There are parties you will miss.  You may sleep through the Sunday gospel celebration.  Or RSVP for 8 events and only make it to 1.    Miss half the concert dancing in a drunken haze on Bourbon Street.  No judgement!   However you choose to live your life that weekend, have fun and try to catch a few highlights that you’ll remember.  Have your Girls Trip moment. Whether it’s the concerts, the convention center, day party hopping, hanging on Bourbon Street all night, or eating your way through the French Quarter. Do.You.  If you have a bad case of FOMO, this weekend might be challenging.  Take a deep breath sis; have fun anyway.

Don’t Sleep On…

Day Parties

I am a fan of a good day party, in general.  To be honest, day parties at Essence have been hit or miss in my experience. When the DJ, food and drinks are right, a day party can be a fun addition to your Essence weekend.  And yes, many of the day parties will have either complimentary snacks or the option to purchase tickets that include food. Choose wisely and RSVP early!

The Convention Center

Go at least once, it’s free!  It’s open from 9am-5pm every day and there are celeb meet and greets, performances, panel discussions, giveaways, food stands, vendors, and all types of activities.

Retail Therapy

For the ladies who love to shop, check out the outlets at the Riverwalk.   For a shopping experience that’s a little more unique, The French Market is another fun option, with an open air flea market and farmer’s market.  You can find all kinds of unique gifts and souvenirs.  Also many designers will do pop-up shops in the French Quarter and downtown just for Essence weekend, so keep your eyes open for unique clothes from up and coming designers, and deals on jewelry, makeup and other things.  If you follow any designers and artists, check out their social media- you’d be surprised how many folks make it to Essence Music Festival every year!

Perfect Bites

New Orleans is deservedly famous for its food.  Remember when I said you should stay an extra day for a food crawl?  Well when you do- hit Mother’s, Cafe du Monde or whatever place your little heart desires… without the 2+ hour wait and lines out the door.  Ride the streetcar. Walk along the waterfront.  Go to the French Market and get a sweet potato cookie and some praline stuffed beignets (you can thank me later) from Loretta’s Pralines.  As much fun as Essence is, there are crowds and lines EVERYWHERE. Just a day later and you’ll have much of the area to yourself.  If you’re lucky enough to stay even longer, here’s a full New Orleans food crawl, curated by some of my favorite New Orleans natives.

That Good A/C

I might have mentioned, it will be HOT.  I should have said, it will be HAAAWWWT. Now, if you live somewhere that is 90 degrees with 90% humidity in the summer, then you might be just fine.  But for this Cali girl, I need to catch that good air conditioning strategically throughout the day, so I don’t fall out and die.  So, take a few laps through Harrah’s Casino, stop into a boutique or two to browse, wander around the Convention Center, go to the liquor sto’ on Canal and buy a bottle of water.  Do what you gotta do to catch.that.AC.

Brown Lady Tips for Essence Music Festival

(aka stuff you don’t need to learn the hard way, cause I did it for you)

Arriving in 3 minutes

If your hotel isn’t within walking distance or you’re headed to a party using Lyft or Uber, try to walk a few blocks (or several) away from the most congested areas BEFORE you call your ride (unless you want to wait 20+ minutes).  And after the concert lets out, plan to walk from the Superdome.  Getting an Uber or Lyft is damn near impossible.  Even if your phone says your ride is 2-3 minutes away… trust me, it isn’t.

Flip Flops Are Your Friend

Two words, ladies: flat shoes.  You will be walking ALL weekend.  Daytime it’s easy, pack cute sandals that you can walk miles in.  And I’m not exaggerating, it will be miles.  The Convention Center is huge.  People walk between Harrah’s, Canal Street and the French Quarter all day.  Often the area is so congested, you won’t want to call a car.  All the cars are sitting still in traffic.  If you feel like your evening outfit is too cute for a flat shoe, bring a pair of sandals or flip flops “just in case”.  Do it for every girl you’ve ever seen barefoot on the sidewalk at the end of a long night. You will thank me when you’re walking the 10+ blocks after you leave the concert at the SuperDome.

I like to bring a cute shoe bag to put my heels in, after the concert or club.  I’ll put a pair of flat sandals in the bag and put them in my clutch (if they’ll fit!) before I head out for the night.  I have a pink shoe bag that came with a pair of heels I bought in LA.  I can toss my heels in it after the concert or the club and put the drawstring around my wrist to wander down Canal or through the French Quarter.

I’ve gotten lots of compliments on my little shoe bag over the years… always from dudes!?!  One guy told me it was ‘way classier than a Walgreens bag’.  Thanks bruh, I ‘ppreciate it.

Y’all ready?!

Okay ladies, if you weren’t already excited about Essence Music Festival, you should be now! All this talk has me ready to pack my bag for this year.  Don’t forget to grab your free packing list!

Alright Essence veterans, weigh in: What other tips might newbies need to make their first trip to Essence Music Festival epic?