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The Essence Festival is under increased scrutiny after reports revealed that organizers still owe more than $406,000 to New Orleans vendors and service providers stemming from the 2025 event. The unpaid balances have raised concerns among local officials and could complicate efforts to secure public funding for the upcoming 2026 festival.
According to public records and statements from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Essence Fest owed the venue approximately $456,000 as of last week. After a $50,000 payment was made, roughly $406,000 remains outstanding. Convention center policies require event balances to be settled within 30 days—an obligation that has already been missed for the 2025 festival.
The convention center is not the only party awaiting payment. Several local vendors and at least one production company have reported unpaid invoices tied to last year’s event. One production firm’s claim reportedly exceeds $1 million, although Sundial Media Group, the parent company behind Essence Fest, has disputed that figure. Organizers have stated they are actively reviewing and resolving outstanding invoices while continuing to plan future programming.
The financial dispute is now drawing attention from state lawmakers, who are weighing whether to provide funding for the 2026 festival. Louisiana State Rep. Jack McFarland, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said organizers will need to address the issue directly if they hope to secure additional public support.
“Any event that doesn’t pay its bills after we give it funding, that’s a problem,” McFarland said. “I don’t care which event it is.”
Unpaid balances could trigger formal collection efforts and damage the festival’s reputation with vendors and public agencies. This is particularly significant given the festival’s long-standing partnership with the city and its substantial economic impact.
In response, Essence officials emphasized their strong relationship with New Orleans, noting that the 2025 festival generated an estimated $46.2 million in tax revenue. Still, with unpaid invoices lingering, organizers now face mounting pressure to resolve financial obligations before securing support for the 2026 event.
