The Essence Festival of Culture is not on track to hit its record 2024 levels of participation, but city tourism officials say that’s OK.
The annual Essence Festival of Culture is set for another memorable stretch in New Orleans, but local business owners aren’t as excited. They say the turnout will be lower than in 2024.
Although the event has steadily grown over the years, 2025 has lagged, according to event partners. Hotels, which usually sell out for the event, are only 80% full. According to Kelly Schulz with New Orleans & Company, the official destination sales and marketing organization for the city’s tourism industry, that figure is still more than enough to generate good revenue.
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