Fans are encouraged to follow ESSENCE Fest on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram for updates on the tribute.

Aaliyah’s brother Rashad Haughton expresses gratitude to Missy Elliott and the festival for honoring Aaliyah’s life, art, and ongoing impact.

The festival is part of the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola, with tickets available via Ticketmaster and hotel and travel packages offered for attendees in New Orleans.

The event is framed as more than a remembrance; it is a living, breathing artistic experience that honors Aaliyah’s legacy in music, fashion, and culture, with New Orleans and the Superdome as its backdrop.

Aaliyah has a historic connection to ESSENCE Festival, performing at its inaugural 1995 event and later being honored during the 30th anniversary in 2024 with a Serayah-led performance of One in a Million.

Missy Elliott, a longtime collaborator and friend, will bring her distinctive creative vision to the tribute, highlighting their influential work together from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Missy Elliott will curate the Aaliyah tribute at the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, serving as the centerpiece of ESSENCE Flowers on Sunday, July 5 at the Caesars Superdome.

Missy Elliott was chosen to curate the tribute due to her artistic stature, history of collaboration with Aaliyah, and her innovative approach to performance and sonic design.

The 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture runs July 3–5 and is presented by Coca-Cola, with Evening Concert Series tickets on sale through the festival’s official site.

Aaliyah’s family—mother Diane Haughton and brother Rashad Haughton—fully support the tribute, adding a personal, intimate dimension to the celebration.

Rashad Haughton emphasizes gratitude to Essence founders, artists, and Missy Elliott for honoring Aaliyah.