Essence Fest explores other cities as New Orleans negotiations continue
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Mya performs at the Caesars Superdome during Essence Fest in July 2026. Photo: Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Essence
Essence Fest organizers are talking with other cities about hosting the annual event, according to multiple reports.
Why it matters: The country's biggest celebration of Black culture could leave New Orleans after more than 30 years.
The big picture: The festival's multiyear contract with the city ended in September. Both sides tell Axios they continue to negotiate.
- The city offered a one-year extension, but Sundial Media, which owns Essence, says it needs a multiyear agreement with "shared investment."
- "A one-year deal puts sponsors, local vendors and teams who need to plan their businesses beyond one year at risk, and it doesn't reflect a long-term commitment to Essence," according to a statement Monday from festival organizers.
Zoom out: Blake Paterson, a former Times-Picayune reporter who recently launched his own news outlet, first reported that Essence had reached out to Houston and Atlanta about hosting the event there.
- Sundial is also talking with representatives from Philadelphia, Detroit, Baltimore, New York and Nashville, the company told business owners and content creators last week at an invite-only event, according to NOLA.com.
- Essence is seeking financial support from New Orleans, but that money is harder to come by amid a financial crisis that's led to citywide furloughs and layoffs.
- Sundial also proposed a year-round festival presence in Southeast Louisiana that would require at least $10 million from local, state and corporate sources. A spokesperson for Sundial tells Axios that the expansion is optional.
Friction point: The city is reevaluating its return on investment for all major events, including Essence.
- Mayor Helena Moreno and her steering committee have raised concerns about late vendor payments.
- An Essence spokesperson says payments have been made to all speakers as of Monday, but at least two, including Axios editor Delano Massey, tell us they were still awaiting receipt.
- Kirk McDonald, CEO of Sundial, says the company has paid more than 90% of the festival's Louisiana-based vendors, NOLA.com reporter Joni Hess writes.
The bottom line: The longer negotiations drag on, the less time organizers have to book the big names that usually headline the Fourth of July event.