Celebrity sightings are always a major draw when Essence Fest comes back to New Orleans.
**Why it matters:**
With an extensive lineup, we’ve highlighted the key moments for celebrity appearances over the July Fourth weekend.
**Beyond the schedule:**
More notable personalities are likely to show up in New Orleans than are listed in the official program or headlining Caesars Superdome shows.
**Additional chances:**
With sponsored events and independent meet-ups not on the Essence Fest agenda, there are even more opportunities to see your favorite stars.
**Key highlights:**
🎾 **Serena Williams:** The tennis star and businesswoman is hosting her first Essence Fest event.
– Her BeautyCon session on Saturday at 1:45pm will introduce her new clean beauty line, MVMNT.
– She’ll also be at Ulta Beauty in Elmwood for a launch party (Tickets available).
⭐ **Vice President Kamala Harris:** The VP makes her return to Essence Fest during a high-profile period following a presidential debate.
– She’ll speak with Essence Ventures CEO Caroline Wanga on Saturday at 5:55pm during the Global Black Economic Forum.
– First come, first served seating, with live-streaming available.
🍽 **Tabitha Brown:** The actress and vegan food influencer teams up with Stephen Satterfield for a talk at the Essence Food and Wine Festival on Saturday at 12:20pm.
