The Essence Festival in New Orleans has officially been canceled for 2020 due to COVID-19.
Organizers say that they will not be moving forward with the festival after New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell made the recommendation on Tuesday that no large events take place in the city this year.
The festival is expected to return to New Orleans in 2021.
Tickets purchased for this year's festival will be refunded, according to a release.
A virtual edition of the Festival of Culture will take place online over the July 4th weekend.
"ESSENCE and the City of New Orleans have a partnership that thrives in good times and is made even stronger in challenging times," said Mayor Cantrell. "We share an uncompromised commitment to the best interest of our local community and our tourist community, and the priorities right now are providing support to those who have been affected by the disproportionate impact of the pandemic here in New Orleans and ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to our great city in 2021 for the return of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture and to once again helping to create such an unmatched and magical experience."
To read more on the cancellation, click here.
