ESSENCE Festival 2026: What It Was Really Like in New Orleans | Mariah Honey

What was ESSENCE Festival 2026 really like? Come with me inside the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans for a personal look at the people, Black-owned businesses, BeautyCon, fashion, media, celebrity moments, culture and unforgettable experiences that made up my ESSENCE Fest weekend. Welcome to the Mariah Honey Vlog. 🍯 I’m Dr. Mariahd, but around here, I’m Mariah Honey. Last month, I attended ESSENCE Festival 2026 in New Orleans as part of the Black Power 96 Radio media team. We produced official festival coverage for the station, but when I looked back through everything we captured, I realized there was another story I wanted to share: my experience. Come with me through the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, media areas, BeautyCon, Black-owned businesses, fashion moments, celebrity encounters, conversations with entrepreneurs, festivalgoers and some of the unexpected moments that happened along the way. In my ESSENCE Festival 2026 experience, you’ll see moments featuring Cynthia Bailey, Stormi Steele and Canvas Beauty, Clif Vmir, Belle Collective, Bask & Lather, K’s Garden, DOS Clothing Company, Grow Good Beauty, Yelle and other personalities, entrepreneurs, creators and brands we encountered throughout the festival. And ESSENCE 2026 was packed with major names across the entire weekend. Teyana Taylor served as Chief Curator, while the festival lineup included Cardi B, Michelle Obama, Keke Palmer, Kehlani, Latto, Brandy & Monica, Patti LaBelle, Babyface, Leon Thomas, T.I., Public Enemy, George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, Big Freedia, Doug E. Fresh, Big Boi, Scarface, Trombone Shorty and more. The festival also featured an Aaliyah tribute curated by Missy Elliott. But ESSENCE was about much more than celebrities. What stayed with me was the incredible mix of Black culture, Black business, beauty, fashion, entrepreneurship, media, creativity and community all moving through the same space. That is what I wanted to capture here. And this video is also the beginning of something new. Welcome to Mariah Honey. This vlog is where I’ll be sharing: • Travel and festivals • New Orleans and Southern culture • Fashion, beauty and personal style • Hotels, restaurants and destinations • Black culture and interesting people • Books and author life • Behind-the-scenes media experiences • Home, décor, art and beautiful spaces • The Glass Garden and creative living • Everyday adventures and whatever catches my attention along the way If you enjoy discovering interesting people, places, culture and experiences, subscribe to Mariah Honey and come along with me. ABOUT THIS ESSENCE FESTIVAL COVERAGE I attended ESSENCE Festival 2026 as part of the credentialed Black Power 96 Radio media team. Independent Black media allows our communities to document our own experiences, amplify Black voices and businesses, and tell our stories from our own perspective. ❤️ Support independent Black media and Black Power 96 Radio: blackpower96.org/donate 📍 ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2026 New Orleans, Louisiana Subscribe to Mariah Honey for more travel, culture, lifestyle, festivals and behind-the-scenes experiences. #ESSENCEFestival2026 #ESSENCEFest #MariahHoney