ESSENCE Fest celebrated its 30th installment over the weekend with live music, guest speakers and some of the Black community’s biggest names.

From July 4 to 7, New Orleans hosted the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, featuring performances by Janet Jackson, Usher, Victoria Monét, Busta Rhymes, Charlie Wilson and more. Serena Williams and Vice President Kamala Harris also participated in talks held throughout the event.

Per Essence, the annual festival commemorates three decades of “Black joy, vibrant music, and sharing in the rich culture of New Orleans.”

The city has hosted the festival since it was conceived in 1994, with the exception of 2006 due to Hurricane Katrina and 2020 and 2021, when it was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here, see the most eye-catching photos of celebrities attending and performing at the 2024 ESSENCE Festival.