Mayor LaToya Cantell said in a press conference Tuesday evening that organizers of New Orleans festivals should start thinking about postponing until 2021.
That would include events like New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Essence Festival and French Quarter Festival.
"My opinion is all of that pushed back. Period," she said.
As of now, those festivals were all planning to return in the fall.
Update: The 2020 Essence Festival of Culture is canceled. Organizers put out an announcement around 9 a.m. Wednesday.
"New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell bravely recommended yesterday that no large events take place in New Orleans in 2020, and ESSENCE fully supports that decision," the release says.
All tickets will be refunded, and the festival will return in 2021.
Organizers also announced the first-ever ESSENCE Festival of Culture: The Virtual Edition, to be held July 4 weekend.
"This Festival experience will be extended to communities around the world like never-before, with unfettered access to the power, purpose and party that has made the ESSENCE Festival the largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience in the world," the release says.
It also says the virtual festival "will be a benefit celebration in honor and support of the City of New Orleans," though it doesn't specify how.
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