ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® Unveils 2026 Daytime Programming at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Featuring Keke Palmer, Octavia Spencer, Normani, Lala Anthony, Eva Marcille, Sanaa Lathan, and More
Today, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® unveiled its full slate of daytime programming, bringing together the conversations, creators, entrepreneurs, authors, chefs, filmmakers, artists, beauty leaders, wellness voices, and cultural tastemakers shaping Black culture today.
From July 3-5, 2026, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will once again serve as the Festival’s daytime home, offering attendees a weekend of free experiences rooted in discovery, connection, entertainment, community, and access. The daytime experience is designed as a full cultural destination before the Festival continues each night with its highly anticipated evening concert series, bringing together some of the biggest names in music for unforgettable live performances in New Orleans.
In 2025, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® generated an estimated $321 million in economic impact, according to studies conducted by Dillard University and Louisiana Economic Development. With more than 70% of attendees traveling from outside Louisiana, the Festival continues to drive tourism, support local businesses, and contribute to the city’s economy while bringing national and global audiences to New Orleans.
