The Essence Festival has begun in New Orleans, offering three days of events focused on women empowerment, fashion, health, and beauty, while providing a significant economic boost to the city.
Crowds are thickening as the festival gets underway, with police directing traffic near the convention center. Traffic is jam-packed, with lines of cars stretching from Poydras Street to the interstate as locals and tourists arrive.
Alexi Giles, a visitor from South Carolina, is among the thousands enjoying the festival and sampling the city’s food. “It feels delicious,” Giles said when asked about the food. “I had the barbecue shrimp grits.”
“This is my third time coming, so I wanted to come and get . I needed a vacation anyway,” Giles added.
Small, locally owned businesses at the convention center are also benefiting from the festival. “Oh, it makes all the difference,” one business owner said. “The one year that we were open and they weren’t here, which had to do with the hurricane, we ended up closing because there was nobody in town.”
Another business owner highlighted the festival’s impact on brand awareness. “Absolutely. It fits our brand across the nation. Essence is known all over. Everybody knows every year Essence is coming to New Orleans.”
The festival’s economic impact is substantial. According to a 2024 impact report, Essence Festival contributed $346 million to the local economy, created over 2,000 jobs, and generated nearly $50 million in federal, state, and local taxes.
Tourism leaders noted that hotels benefited significantly. “I mean, when you think about 80% to 85% occupancy in the downtown hotels, surely there’s a large economic impact. People are eating, drinking, shopping, enjoying themselves all over the downtown corridor,” one leader said.
Many businesses are optimistic that Essence will renew its contract to remain in New Orleans. “Essence ain’t going nowhere. This is home. It’s been home for Essence for over 35 years, and it’s going to continue to be home,” one business owner said.
Big names expected to perform at the festival include Cardi B, Brandy, and former first lady Michelle Obama.
READ MORE: Essence Festival brings crowds and economic impact to New Orleans
