What to know about Blink Cincinnati 2024 before things get lit (2024)

Blink Cincinnati is once again casting a spotlight on downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

The nation's largest art, light and projection mapping festival returns Oct. 17-20. The fourth iteration of the event is set to feature over 80 installations spanning more than 30 blocks in Over-the-Rhine, downtown Cincinnati, The Banks, Newport and Covington.

Like past years, the region will be set aglow, illuminated in a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. But before you head to the four-day event, you may want to do a little preparation.

Here's everything you should know ahead of Blink Cincinnati 2024.

When is Blink Cincinnati? What time does it start?

Blink takes place from 7-11 p.m. Oct. 17-20. Drone shows are held at 8 and 10 p.m. each night.

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Do I need tickets?

No, Blink is free and open to the public, except for Afterglow: The Official Blink Afterparty featuring Austin Millz, a DJ, producer and songwriter from Harlem, New York. The event takes place 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport. Tickets are currently $30 and can be purchased via axs.com/events.

What to know about Blink Cincinnati 2024 before things get lit (1)

Where to park for Blink Cincinnati 2024

Public and private parking garages and surface lots are open in areas surrounding the event location. LAZ Parking is also offering reserved parking spaces at select locations that can be booked via blinkcincinnati.com/reserve-parking. Note that if your car is parked past the end of your reservation, you will be charged for additional time.

Will there be a Blink app?

There is no Blink app this year. Festival organizers encourage visitors to use the Blinkmap instead.

Will there be guided tours?

No guided tours are provided by Blink Cincinnati this year. However, the Blink map features several walking trails that help guide visitors to each of the zones.

Is there a Blink Cincinnati map?

Check out the official map for Blink Cincinnati 2024 below, or click here.

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Can pedestrians cross the Roebling Bridge?

Attendees can cross back and forth from Cincinnati to Covington using the Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Are pets allowed at Blink Cincinnati 2024?

Blink organizers do not recommend bringing your furry friend due to the large crowd size and the time of the event, per the event's FAQ page. However, trained service animals are welcome to attend with their handlers.

What to know about Blink Cincinnati 2024 before things get lit (4)

Will there be food vendors at Blink?

Food and beverages are available in multiple locations of the festival, per the Blink website. According to a press release, the Findlay Market zone is hosting an outdoor night market featuring several local food vendors. Findlay Market's two outdoor bars, Jane’s and Race St. Station, are also open, as well as two mobile bars with limited menus. Hours of operation may vary.

A nightly food market produced by the local Asian food and cultural association, Asianati, is also taking place on Court Street Plaza from 5-11 p.m. each night.

Additionally, dining options are available at The Banks along Freedom Way, the open lots on Liberty and Race streets, Washington Park, near the Braxton Brewing location in Covington and at Newport on the Levee. Amy Fitzgibbons, vice president for marketing and communications for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, told The Enquirer the Contemporary Arts Center will also offer food and beverages during Blink.

Findlay Night Market food vendors:

The Arepa Place.
Chino's Street Food.
Eliza Jane's BakeShop.
Juniper Seed.
Lotus Street Food.
Makers Bakers Co.
Mama Made It.
Moxy.
The Rhined.
Ruby's Chocolates.
Tablespoon Cooking Co.
The CakePop Shoppe.
Chico's Cheesecakes.
Davey Boy’s Bourbon Pecans.
Honey Child Pops.
Jay's Nyam & Jam.
Olive Tree Catering.
Pollos El Autentico.
Queen Tequeños.
Sabor Alaniz.
Uai Brazil Sweets & Treats.
Wendigo Tea Co.

Asianati Night Market food vendors:

BentOn.
Boba Cha.
Bridges Nepali Cuisine.
Café Mochiko (Sunday only).
Chino's Street Food.
Evolve Bake+Shop (Saturday only).
Gabriela Filipina Kantina (Friday only).
Hawkers Alley.
Pho Lang Thang.
Queens Bakery.
Stone Bowl Restaurant.
Tea N Bowl.
Thai Express.
Tikka Xpress.

Which streets are closed for Blink?

The city of Cincinnati released a list of road closures Oct. 11. The following streets will be closed ahead of the start of Blink on Thursday, Oct. 17:

Plum Street: Closedbetween Eighth Street and Ninth Street from Monday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m. to Monday, Oct. 21, at 6 a.m.
Court Street: Closedbetween Walnut Street and Vine Street from Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 9 a.m.toMonday, Oct. 21, at 5 a.m.
Jackson Street:Closed between 12th Street and 13th Street from Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 9 a.m. to Monday, Oct. 21, at 5 a.m.
Freedom Way: Closed between Rosa Parks Street and Marian Spencer Way from Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 6 a.m. to Monday, Oct. 21, at 5 a.m.

These streets will close for the Blink parade at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, and will remain closed until about 10 p.m. that night:

West Pete Rose Way: Closedbetween Mehring Way and Central Avenue(closes at 4 p.m. for staging).
Rose Street: Closed between Mehring Way and West Pete Rose Way(closes at 4 p.m. for staging).
Smith Street: Closed between Mehring Way and West Pete Rose Way(closes at 4 p.m. for staging).
Mehring Way: Closed between Gest Street and East Pete Rose Way.
Gest Street - southbound: Closed between Third Street and Mehring Way.
Central Avenue: Closed south of Third Street(northbound Central Avenue remains open north of West Pete Rose Way).
Elm Street: Closedsouth of Second Street.
Race Street:Closed south of Second Street(garage access maintained).
Rosa Parks Street: Closedsouth of Second Street(garage access maintained).
Marian Spencer Way: Closed south of Second Street(garage access maintained).
Joe Nuxhall Way: Closed south of Second Street(garage and hotel access maintained).
Suspension Bridge: Closed.
Ramp LL: Closed.
Johnny Bench Way: Closed.
East Pete Rose Way: Closed west of Broadway.

These streets will close from 7-11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-20:

North-south streets:

Elm Street: Closed between Central Parkway and Findlay Street(Liberty Street open for east-west traffic).
Race Street: Closed between Central Parkway and Findlay Street (Liberty Street open for east-west traffic).
Vine Street: Closed between Third Street and Central Parkway(Third Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street and Ninth Street will be open for east-west traffic).
Walnut Street: Closed between Third Street and Central Parkway(Third Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street and Ninth Street will be open for east-west traffic).
Main Street:Closed between Second Street and 12th Street (Second Street, Third Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, Ninth Street and Central Parkway will be open for east-west traffic).
Jackson Street: Closed between 12th Street and Central Parkway.

East-west streets:

Fourth Street: Restricted between Main Street and Race Street.The street may close due to crowd congestion.
Seventh Street: Restricted between Main Street and Race Street.The street may close due to crowd congestion.
Charles Street: Closed between Central Parkway and Elm Street.
12th Street: Closed to through traffic between Main Street and Central Parkway.
14th Street: Closed between Central Parkway and Race Street.
Grant Street: Closed to through trafficbetween Central Parkway and Elm Street.
Magnolia Street: Closed to through trafficbetween Central Parkway and Elm Street.
Odeon Street: Closed to through trafficbetween Central Parkway and Elm Street.
Wade Street: Closed to through trafficbetween Central Parkway and Elm Street.
Green Street: Closed to through trafficbetween Vine Street and Elm Street.
Elder Street: Closedbetween Vine Street and Central Parkway.
Court Street: Close between Race Street and Vine Street.
Freedom Way: Closedbetween Race Street and Marian Spencer Way.

Other:

Fifth Street ramp from southbound I-75: Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30-11 p.m.
Suspension Bridge: Closed 7-11 p.m. nightly.

When is the Blink parade?

What to know about Blink Cincinnati 2024 before things get lit (5)

The opening ceremony and parade will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17.

Blink Cincinnati 2024 parade route

The Blink Parade starts on West Mehring Way by Paycor Stadium and continues along the riverfront to Barry Larkin Way, ending near Great American Ball Park.

Blink Cincinnati 2024 entertainment schedule

Thursday, Oct. 27

Girls is Players Too, 6-11 p.m. at the Findlay Stage.
Warmth Culture, 7-10 p.m. at the Findlay Stage.
Stargate by Chalk River Labs (Al Sigman), 7-10 p.m. at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
Tokyo Kitty presents Asianati Cosplay Contest, 7-10 p.m. on Court Street.
Loophole by Calidos, 7-10 in Covington.
Vivid Volume, 7-10 p.m. in Downtown Cincinnati.
Warmth Culture, 7-10 p.m. at the Findlay Market Stage.
Mic Carr + Shades, 7-8 p.m. at the Freedom Stage.
Crescendo by Kyle Eli Ebersole and Ian Molitors (featuring Ricky Nye), 7-11 p.m. at Lytle Park.
Echo Archive, 7-10 p.m. at Lytle Park.
Freeform, 7-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
Phases and Actions by Brett Bolton, 7-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
Blink Let it Shine! Parade Choir Ensemble, 7-10 p.m., location TBA.
River Gaze, 7-10 p.m. at The Banks.
Rest Here, 7-10 p.m. at The Banks and Over-the-Rhine.
Siri's Underground Showdown, 8-9 p.m. at Liberty Lots Stage.
"Who Do You Say That I Am?" Runway Show by Asha Ama Bias-Daniels, 8-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
All The Things, 9-10 p.m. at the Cardtopia Stage.
Nasti Nati Brass Band, 9-11 p.m. at the Freedom Stage.
Cincinnati hip hop legends, Mood, 9-11 p.m. at the Liberty Lots Stage.

Friday, Oct. 18

Adventure Club, 6-11 p.m. at the Findlay stage.
Loophole by Calidos, 7-10 p.m. in Covington.
Vivid Volume, 7-10 p.m. in downtown Cincinnati.
Warmth Culture, 7-10 p.m. at Findlay Market.
Echo Archive, 7-10 p.m. at Lytle Park.
Freeform, 7-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
Phases and Actions by Brett Bolton, 7-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
River Gaze, 7-10 p.m. at The Banks.
Rest Here, 7-10 p.m. at The Banks and Over-the-Rhine.
Stargate by Chalk River Labs (featuring DJ Paloma), 7-10 p.m. at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
Always Radiant Dance featuring Ace of Spades, 7-10 p.m. on Court Street.
Hughes Big Red Untouchable Drumline, 7-8 p.m. at the Freedom Stage.
DJ Rare Groove, 7-8 p.m. at the Liberty Lots Stage.
Crescendo by Kyle Eli Ebersole and Ian Molitors (featuring Jordan Pollard), 7-11 p.m. at Lytle Park.
Siri's Underground Showdown, 8-9 p.m. at the Liberty Lots Stage.
"Who Do You Say That I Am?" Runway Show by Asha Ama Bias-Daniels, 8-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
Reilly and Sons, 9-10 p.m. at the Cardtopia Stage.
Flagboy Giz, 9-11 p.m. at the Freedom Stage.
DJ Prymtime, 9-11 p.m. at the Liberty Lots Stage.

Saturday, Oct. 19

Departure Lounge, 6-11 p.m. at the Findlay Stage.
Loophole by Calidos, 7-10 p.m. in Covington.
Vivid Volume, 7-10 p.m. in downtown Cincinnati.
Warmth Culture, 7-10 p.m. at Findlay Market.
Echo Archive, 7-10 p.m. at Lytle Park.
Freeform, 7-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
Phases and Actions by Brett Bolton, 7-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
River Gaze, 7-10 p.m. at The Banks.
Rest Here, 7-10 p.m. at The Banks and Over-the-Rhine.
Stargate by Chalk River Labs (featuring DJ Paloma Brandon Dollenmeyer), 7-10 p.m. at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
River Lotus Lion Dance, 7-10 p.m. on Court Street.
Chaya Jones, 7-8 p.m. at the Freedom Stage.
Crescendo by Kyle Eli Ebersole and Ian Molitors (featuring Julie Spangler), 7-11 p.m. at Lytle Park.
Siri's Underground Showdown, 8-9 p.m. at the Liberty Lots Stage.
"Who Do You Say That I Am?" Runway Show by Asha Ama Bias-Daniels, 8-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
Live and Unplugged Curated by Lex Nycole, 8-9 p.m. at the Freedom Stage.
Black Signal, 9-10 p.m. at the Cardtopia Stage.
Animal Crackers, 9-10 p.m. at the Liberty Lots Stage.
Lauren Eylise, 10-11 p.m. at the Freedom Stage.
Afterglow, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. at the MegaCorp Pavillion.

Sunday, Oct. 20

DJ Boywife & Friends, 6-11 p.m. at the Findlay Stage.
Quena Music, 6-7 p.m. at the Freedom Stage.
Loophole by Calidos, 7-10 p.m. in Covington.
Vivid Volume, 7-10 p.m. in downtown Cincinnati.
Warmth Culture, 7-10 p.m. at Findlay Market.
Echo Archive, 7-10 p.m. at Lytle Park.
Freeform, 7-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
Phases and Actions by Brett Bolton, 7-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
River Gaze, 7-10 p.m. at The Banks.
Rest Here, 7-10 p.m. at The Banks and Over-the-Rhine.
Stargate by Chalk River Labs, 7-10 p.m. at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
DJ Rah D, 7-8 p.m. at the Liberty Lots Stage.
Crescendo by Kyle Eli Ebersole and Ian Molitors (featuring Ben Tweedt), 7-11 p.m. at Lytle Park.
Siri's Underground Showdown, 8-9 p.m. at the Liberty Lots Stage.
"Who Do You Say That I Am?" Runway Show by Asha Ama Bias-Daniels, 8-10 p.m. in Over-the-Rhine.
E Over Everything, 9-10 p.m. at the Cardtopia Stage.
Luvlocz, 9-10 p.m. at the Freedom Stage.
DJ Ghost, 9-11 p.m. at the Liberty Lots Stage.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy).