The culture's biggest summer link up is officially loading. The ESSENCE Festival of Culture returns in 2026 and the first (all-women) wave of performers is making headlines. Source: As we celebrate Women's History Month, this first announcement is filled with fan favorite R&B and Hip Hop's hottest performers and a living legend to top it all off. Check out what to expect at this year's ESSENCE Festival. According to Essence, the iconic festival revealed its first round of artists for the 2026 Evening Concert Series at the Caesars Superdome.