Let’s Get Lit: Your Guide to BLINK Cincinnati

Source: Jason Koerner / Getty

Don’t BLINK, you might miss it…

The time has come again — the Queen City’s beloved art and light festival is back after a two year hiatus! BLINK Cincinnati will light up the town starting Thursday, October 17th through Sunday, October 20th, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. every night.

What is BLINK?

BLINK® is an immersive arts and light festival that transforms over 20 blocks across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky into a vibrant showcase. Debuted in 2017 alongside ArtsWave, this event is the largest public light and art festival in the United States, attracting over 2 million visitors and generating a $126 million economic impact for the region.

Things to Know:

BLINK spans several blocks through various neighborhoods. Prepare to walk, call rideshare, and/or hop on public transportation!

FREE Transit! Metro, TANK, and CincyLink will provide FREE rides for the weekend of BLINK. Park & Ride options are available at 5 locations throughout Greater Cincinnati. For additional information on free fare and Park & Ride locations, click here.
Plan for multiple days! There are over 80 installations to see and immerse yourself in.
Download the BLINK map! This will help you navigate the festival and see exactly what you want. You can access the maps here.
Bundle up! Temps are dropping into the mid-30s after sunset and you want to enjoy BLINK to its fullest extent.

Parade & Drone Shows:

BLINK kicks off with the opening night parade at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. This year’s theme is “Let it Shine.” The parade begins at 8 p.m. at West Mehring Way by Paycor Stadium and continues along the Riverfront to Great American Ballpark. The parade is free for anyone to attend.

In “The Banks Zone”, there will be BLINK Cincinnati’s nightly drone show at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

After the Show, It’s the AfterGlow:

For the first time, BLINK Cincinnati will host an official after-party, “Afterglow,” on Saturday, October 19th at MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport.

DJ/Musician Austin Millz will be headlining the show alongside DJ Prymtime and DJ Boywife.

This show is 21+ and tickets are $30, with doors opening at 10 p.m.

Parking & Road Closures:

Monday, Oct. 14 at 8 a.m. through Monday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.

Court St. from 3rd to 4th streets – Oct. 14 at 8 a.m. through Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.
Park Place from Scott St. to Greenup – Oct. 14 at 8 a.m. through Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 20, these roads will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

3rd St. from Scott St. to Greenup
Crawford Alley from Ziegler Way to 5th St.
Crawford Alley from 5th St. to 6th St.
Clinton Alley from Madison Ave. to Crawford Alley
Pike St. from Madison Ave. to Washington Ave.
Roebling Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic. Pedestrian walkway will remain open.

You can reserve parking spots with BLINK here: https://www.blinkcincinnati.com/reserve-parking

Be sure to stop by and see The WIZ’s own DJ J. Dough performing in “The Banks Zone” at the Black Music Walk of Fame all weekend!

Visit blinkcincinnati.com or follow BLINK @blinkcincinnati on all social platforms for additional information and updates!