Where to spot celebs at Essence Fest

Between the lines: There are far more big names who travel to New Orleans than are on the official schedule or headlining the nightly Ceasars Superdome performances.

• With sponsored events and pop-ups unaffiliated with the official Essence Fest schedule, there are bound to be additional stars who show up.

Bottom line: Keep your eyes peeled.

🎾 Serena Williams: The tennis star and entrepreneur is making her first-ever Essence Festival of Culture appearance this year.

• See her during BeautyCon on Saturday at 1:45pm discussing the launch of her new clean beauty line, WYN.
• Plus, she's popping up at Ulta Beauty in Elmwood to celebrate the launch. Tickets.

🇺🇸 Vice President Kamala Harris: The veep returns to Essence Fest at a time when all eyes (and all chatter) are on President Biden's debate performance.

• She's in conversation with Essence Ventures CEO Caroline Wanga on Saturday at 5:15pm during the Global Black Economic Forum.

• Seating will be first come, first served. It will also be live-streamed.

⭐ Tabitha Brown: The actress and vegan food influencer will talk with Stephen Satterfield about food and wine culture at the Essence Food and Wine Festival on Saturday at 12:20pm.

🪮 Janell Stephens: The Camille Rose hair care founder will talk about her entrepreneurship at BeautyCon on Friday at 3:50pm.

🏈 Jemele Hill and Stephen A. Smith: The sports journalists join Shari Nycole for a Suede panel on their career journeys on Sunday at 2:05pm.