NOLA Ready logo
NOLA Ready
The City of New Orleans
Home ▸ Special Events ▸ ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2023 ▸ ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2023

ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2023 Updates

Thu
Jun 29
2023
5:50 PM through Monday 11:59 PM
ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2023

ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2023

Events associated with the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture will take place in New Orleans Thursday, June 29 through Monday, July 3.  For more information, visit Essence Festival 2023 Home | Essence.  As always, please take care in large crowds and report suspicious activity to public safety officials.

In anticipation of crowds, the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will set up an incident command post at the 24/7 Real-Time Crime Center, where local, state and federal public safety agencies will be represented and will coordinate emergency response if necessary.

Neighborhoods Impacted

Marigny, French Quarter, Central Business District

Traffic Restrictions

In anticipation of large crowds, the New Orleans Police Department and the Louisiana State Police will restrict traffic to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Additional intermittent street closures might be required as crowd size warrants.

Vehicles should be made aware that they will not be able to cross Bourbon St.

All streets starting with Dumaine St. toward Esplanade Ave. will be open to cross Bourbon St.

French Quarter Closures

Vehicles Limited

From 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. overnight Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, public safety officials will screen vehicles entering the French Quarter within the perimeter of Canal, Decatur, Dumaine, and Rampart Streets. Only residents, employees, hotel guests, and taxis or ride hailing services will be allowed to drive vehicles into the French Quarter.

No Vehicles Allowed

From 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. overnight Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, public safety officials will close Bourbon Street from Canal to Dumaine Streets and the 700 and 800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville, and Iberville Streets to all traffic.

All streets leading into the French Quarter on the following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic:

  • Canal St.
  • N. Rampart St.
  • Dumaine St.
  • Decatur St.

Parking Restrictions

 

No Parking Zones

 

From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. overnight Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, no parking will be allowed on the following streets:

  • 700-800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville, and Iberville Streets

From 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. overnight Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, no parking will be allowed on the following streets:

  • Canal Street, both sides, from Claiborne Avenue to Convention Center Boulevard

 

Monday, July 3 - NO CLOSURES

 

From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. overnight Tuesday, July 4, no parking will be allowed on the following streets:

  • 700-800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville, and Iberville Streets
  • Decatur St. from Conti St. to Dumaine St - both sides
  • N. Peters St from Conti St to Canal St. - both sides

 

Parking Reminders

Additional parking restrictions may be implemented as necessary. Always follow posted signs. Parking enforcement personnel will be monitoring for illegal parking. 

  • Do not block hydrants, driveways and sidewalks. 
  • Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, intersection, or stop sign. 
  • Park in the direction of travel on one-way streets and with the right wheel to the curb on two-way streets.
  • Call 504-658-8100 for 24 hour parking enforcement.

Transportation Impacts

In anticipation of increased ridership during weekend events, the Regional Transit Authority will provide extra service on the St. Charles Canal-City Park/Cemeteries, and Union Passenger Terminal/Riverfront streetcar lines.

In addition, RTA services, including bus service, may be interrupted during this event. Details on any route changes are available at norta.com.

Safety Reminders

As always during major special events, residents and visitors are encouraged to take care in large crowds and to report suspicious activity to public safety officials.

For special event updates, text NOLAEVENTS to 77295.

 

Additionally, the New Orleans Fire Department reminds residents that the discharging of consumer fireworks in Orleans Parish is illegal. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained professionals.