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When it comes to music festivals, Essence takes the cake and this year was no exception.

Held in New Orleans every year since its 1995 inception, the Essence Music Festival brings black women together from around the country and possibly across the globe during the 4^th of July weekend for three days of food, fellowship, empowerment and of course, music.

This was my second year in a row attending the popular event (with my cousin) and it was nothing short of amazing. In fact, I’m still on a high from all of last week’s fun. From the delicious food that only the Big Easy can bring to the inspiring sessions and activations to the high-wattage concerts, Essence Fest epitomizes the vibrancy and all-around #BlackGirlMagic that makes us enviable and awesome.

If you’ve never made the pilgrimage to the festival, don’t miss out again. Start planning now so you can see what the hype is all about. Trust me, if you go, you won’t regret it. It’s an event that every black woman should experience at least once in her lifetime.

Below, find several reasons why you need to mark your calendars now for next year:

Fashion epicenter
It’s no secret that we black women are the frontrunners when it comes to fashion. The bright and bold getups that we coordinate and accessorize pop up on runways and in fashion spreads years after we’ve popularized them. So, at Essence Fest you get to see head-turning styles up close and personal with the women who set the trends that others follow.

The Crescent City transforms into a massive catwalk and is the perfect backdrop for us Nubian queens to strut our stuff freely and confidently. Additionally, there are black-owned shops with a myriad of products for sell. Whether you’re on the hunt for clothes or accessories, Essence Fest has you covered thanks to business owners who set up shop at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Natural hair and beauty mecca
If you’re in need of hair inspiration, look no further than Essence Fest. Whether you wear your hair in braids, twists, an Afro, locs or somewhere in between, there will be plenty of styles to inspire your next look. You’ll leave with a ton of ideas and concepts that you never imagined. Seeing your fellow brown girls rocking unique styles makes Essence Fest double as a hair and beauty show.

Delectable food
New Orleans is practically synonymous with good food. There’s no other city in America with authentic, southern creole cuisine like NOLA. From mouthwatering gumbo to charbroiled oysters, the menus around the city are brimming with Cajun flavor. Oh, and the city’s sweet pralines and sugary beignets (from Café Du Monde) are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. The unique fare is such an integral part to the Essence Fest experience that there are food vendors inside the convention center to give visitors a taste of the city under one roof.

Nonstop Parties
If you don’t want to party, you should probably skip the festival altogether. Well, not exactly, but you should definitely rethink your stay. For starters, New Orleans is basically one big ole’ party. With throngs of people walking down Bourbon Street tossing beads, drinking and dancing, it’s safe to say that partying is a priority for most festivalgoers. While you don’t have to let loose in the middle of the sidewalk, you can unwind to your liking at one of the countless Essence-sponsored and non-sponsored parties taking place throughout the weekend.

This year I attended a couple parties including one hosted by Dark and Lovely that was so much fun. They had hair demos, interactive photo booths, drinks and great music. Finding a dance party is easy – if you don’t snag any invites prior to your arrival ask around – there are always plenty of options.

Empowering seminars
We all need to recharge our batteries from time to time and Essence Fest gives us an opportunity to sit down and get an uplifting word. With inspiring speakers that talk about issues that affect us as black women, attending the sessions and seminars at the convention center are a must. From fibroids to finances, the topics run the gamut, but they’re always relevant and delivered through the lens of the black American woman. Plus, plenty of our favorite celebrities offer insights on issues pertaining to their careers and personal lives. 

Energetic concerts
Music is at the heart of the Essence Fest and for a good reason. Nothing unites people like the power of music. During the 3-day festival, R&B and hip-hop acts take center stage at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome (and in Super Lounges) each night. This year’s performances were outstanding. With a throwback New Jack Swing set led by the legendary Teddy Riley, and Janet Jackson headlining, this ‘80s baby was in music heaven. The concerts are my favorite part of the festival and such a great opportunity to sing and dance with your girls.

Immersive brand activations
Many of our favorite brands are on-hand during the festival. For me, nothing makes me happier than Disney so the fact that the iconic brand has had booths during both of my visits was a cherry on top of already incredible experiences.

This year Ruth Carter, the Oscar-nominated costume designer, spoke about her work on the groundbreaking “Black Panther” movie. Additionally, the Disney booth displayed costumes from the characters of Wakanda, as well as the garments worn during the upcoming “The Nutcracker” release. There were also “Christopher Robin,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-it Ralph 2,” and “Four Realms” displays to promote the forthcoming films. If that wasn’t enough, there was also a 10-year anniversary display celebrating Marvel films like “Avengers,” “Ant Man” and more!

Plus, Disney gave attendees a pair of Minnie ears, which were the perfect accessory for the fun photo activation. Visiting booths are a fun way to engage with the brands that resonate with you.

Beautiful bonding  
Essence magazine was created to celebrate black women and that mission remains. Essence Fest is an annual gathering that brings us together to laugh, make new friends and just marvel at and respect our tenacity, sisterhood, undeniable beauty and overall, well, essence. The festival allows us to escape the harsh realities of the outside world – it’s like a giant cocoon that protects us from the injustices, racist remarks, snubs and other slights that so many of us face in our everyday lives. Essence Fest is a stress-free zone that just lets us be!

While this year is over, don’t miss out again. You have an entire year to budget and prepare for next year!

Have you ever attended the Essence Fest? If so, describe your experience.