blink cincinnati tours

Your ArtWorks Guide to BLINK®

At ArtWorks, we’re sewing costumes, getting out the ladders and flipping switches for BLINK®, illuminated by ArtsWave, coming to downtown Cincinnati and Covington next week! The art, light and culture event is transforming our region Thursday, Oct. 10 – Sunday, Oct. 13. Read on to get ready for your FUTURE CITY!

Don’t BLINK and Drive

Thursday sparks the blink® future city spectacular parade presented by skyline chili, see our youth apprentices aglow, meet the artist of artworks’ latest mural on saturday, oct. 12, artswave is offering blink® guided tours, go on a free blink photo walking tour.

• Saturday, October 12 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Led by Lori Zimmer
• Sunday, October 13: 8pm-10pm: Led by  Halopigg
• Thursday, October 10: 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.: Led by  Street Art Nomad  &  Street Art NYC
• Friday, October 11: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Led by  Chop ’em Down Film s

Curious about how BLINK happens?

• Tim Maloney a catalyst for visionary projects like BLINK  (via Movers & Makers)
• The 5 Best Design Destinations to Visit in October  (via Architectural Digest)
• Cincinnati’s Lumineers: Here’s what it will take to make Blink 2019 happen  (via the Cincinnati Business Courier)
• That’s So Cincinnati podcast: The Blink that binds us  (via The Enquirer)
• Time to get crafty, Cincinnati… Blink announces Future City Spectacular Parade details  (via The Enquirer)
• ArtWorks’ first LED mural makes its debut in time for BLINK  (via Fox19)

Don’t Just BLINK, BLINK VIP!

Share your blink® experience, blink® producing partners.

Posted by: Dominique Khoury

BLINK Cincinnati 2022- Our Guide for the Best Experience (including my tips!)

Folks, mark your calendar for this one because BLINK Cincinnati is THE “not to be missed” Cincinnati event for 2022.

BLINK is a four-day Cincinnati event featuring locations with large-scale projection mapping, murals, urban artscape, media light, street art, interactive art and live performers. The largest light, art, projection mapping events in the nation, BLINK is happening October 13-16, 2022 and will stretch across 30 city blocks throughout downtown Cincinnati, surrounding areas, and into Covington, KY.

What is BLINK Cincinnati?

At the simplest level, it’s a fabulous, giant light show !  Our city’s buildings will come alive for BLINK Cincinnati as art meets light meets brick. A number of our existing ArtWorks murals will light up as various creatives project light shows specifically designed for each mural. And we will have the pleasure of enjoying additional/new murals created just for BLINK 2022.

Want to see what a previous BLINK event was like? Take a look at our montage of the first event….

As part of the 30 city blocks of project mappings, we will see more than 100 interactive installations across multiple locations throughout downtown Cincinnati and surrounding areas.

How Do I Know Where to Go at BLINK Cincinnati?

The BLINK Event Map can be found here . Be sure to bookmark the map on your phone so it’s ready and waiting for you when you go out at night. In previous years they’ve handed out printed maps at some of the stops but I haven’t seen any mentions of that yet for 2022.

BLINK Cincinnati has been broken up into five zones (all shown on the map):

• The Findlay Market Zone
• Over the Rhine Zone
• Downtown Zone
• The Banks Zone
• Covington Zone

Use the online map to find all the zones you might want to visit. In addition to the 5 zones, the map shows the transit centers and its stops, the parade path, restrooms, hospitality areas, and much more.

What’s New for BLINK in 2022?

New for 2022 : the first BLINK Drone Show! 300 drones will put on a show over the Ohio River, twice each evening. The show will be visible from both the Ohio and the Kentucky sides of the river. Make some plans to be on the riverfront to see this glowing event that’s happening Thursday through Sunday. The first drone shows will be at 9pm and 10pm on Thursday followed by drone shows Friday through Sunday at 8pm and 10pm.

New for 2022 : ArtsWave is offering a self-guided tour that will lead you through a 10-stop guided tour on your smart phone. Each stop on the tour starts off with a video intro from the artist, in progress videos of the artwork, installation videos, artist bios, and more. Get it here for just $10!

New for 2022 : There will be 90 music artists performing on stages across all the zones, making BLINK the largest music festival in Ohio! Performances are happening all across the city (from Covington to OTR) with over 100 artists playing on 7 stages from 7pm to 11pm (Thursday to Saturday) and from 7pm to 10pm on Sunday.

When is BLINK Cincinnati 2022:

When: October 13-16, 2022 All shows and exhibits begin at sundown – approximately 7pm .

Do I Need Tickets for BLINK?  

BLINK is free and open to the public. You can go all evening without spending a dime if you wish (other than parking).

There are a few “ticketed” opportunities but those are not the norm.

The BLINK Parade

The BLINK parade will light up the streets and kick off the BLINK experience around 7:30pm on Thursday, October 13, 2022. The parade will be on 5th Street this year, going through the Central Business District of downtown. It starts at Broadway and heads west, ending at the parade stage on Elm Street .

What’s New for the Parade in 2022?

• Be on the watch for more details on an upcoming neighborhood “torch passing” activity between Cincinnati & NKY neighborhoods!
• The parade has a theme for 2022: ‘Together: a constellation of shared cultures and unique identities; we illuminate joy through creative expression’.
• The parade will culminate near 5th and Elm for a finale performance and lighting ritual to formally kick off the BLINK weekend.

Our Tips for BLINK Cincinnati (from having been there EVERY night last time!):

Come prepared to walk:.

Wear your most comfortable shoes because you’re going to walk A LOT. In our first year we were fully prepared to take the streetcar from the Findlay Market area (where we parked) down to The Banks and work our way back up. But that was impossible. The streetcar was packed like sardines. Literally. And there were so many people that the streetcar moved at the pace of a snail. We walked as fast as the streetcar moved. Not kidding. I hope there’s a solution to that problem this year but I’m not planning on it and I’ll be fully prepared to walk wherever I need to go.

The streetcar is free and they will have extra cars running during BLINK this year, escorted by Cincinnati Police. They’re reporting that all 18 stations will be open.

Other available modes of transportation include the Bird Scooters and Red Bikes as well. Personally, I would not plan on those as you will need space to ride them. And there’s no space to ride them.

What it boils down to, however = there are lots of people on the sidewalks and the streets … ALL the people! Navigating the streets in anything motorized is going to be tough. Prepare to walk it.

Make Your Plans For What You Want to See Before You Leave the House:

We went for multiple days and broke up the event by area. Thursday we concentrated on The Banks up to about The Aronoff Center. The next night we stayed in the Washington Park area and ventured down to the Garfield section of town. The next day we did the Findlay Market displays. And on our last day we hit a few various spots that we missed and still wanted to see.

The BLINK Event Map can be found here . Use it to find all the zones you might want to visit. In addition to the 5 zones, the map shows the transit centers and its stops, the parade path, as well as the hospitality areas.

You might also like: Daytime Events Happening During BLINK

Get your phone ready:

If they continue to offer it for the 2022 event (haven’t seen it yet), you should download the BLINK Cincinnati app (App Store / Google Play). The app matches your location with nearby installations and experiences. It will show you the hot spots around town.

Be sure you’re fully charged before you head out. You’re not going to want to miss a single shot!

You might also want to practice some night-time photography. Here are a few free options: iPhone Night Photos and Google Pixel’s Night Sight .

What’s the Best Time to Go to BLINK? 

Any time! All projection mapping shows are between 3-10 mins in length and are on a continuous loop so you can arrive at any time.  Each night will feature the same projection shows and art installations. The only exception is the parade which will take place on Thursday (see parade info above).

Where Should I Park?

There will be many city streets that are closed to vehicular traffic during BLINK. The City of Cincinnati put together a map to show all the street closures – find the road closure map here .

We made our plans, split up the areas we wanted to see, and parked accordingly (see paragraph above). My advice would be to park in the outskirts and walk in to the areas you want to see. That being said, we walked all the way from 14th down the The Banks and back on the first night and we lived to tell the tale.  🙂

If you park at a meter be sure to check the hours and days that you have to pay to park. Most (all?) of the downtown metered parking areas require payment every day, including Sunday. And I believe they all require payment until 9pm.

Don’t Leave Home Without It:

Take a water bottle and a snack. There are lots of spots with food trucks and drinks and beer but we walked A LOT and a water bottle was a welcomed addition. Snacks would be a fine idea too. Restaurants were slammed last time and while they do have lots of food options, it’s nice to have something ready in case the lines are too long.

8 thoughts on “BLINK Cincinnati 2022- Our Guide for the Best Experience (including my tips!)”

I have 8 and 10 yr olds that have no patience, so I have to plan well. Which areas are good to see during the day and which areas are far better at night? I’m thinking of starting late afternoon and staying for an hour or two of darkness. I don’t want to miss the best stuff. Any advice is appreciated.

The light shows don’t start until 7pm so keep that in mind (not sure what time you’re thinking of starting). Washington Park has the Architects of Air attraction that’s open until 7 so you could start there. Be aware that it’s the only thing that is NOT free; it’s $5. It is super cool though. Washington Park has a number of things to see and do. But there’s a lot to see around the Freedom Center (at The Banks) including the teeter totters which your kids will LOVE. We did not run into terrible crowds last night (except for the parade and that’s over now). If you can buy streetcar passes for everyone ($1 for two hours or $2 for all day), you could get on and off depending on the crowds at different areas. One tip: take a bag with waters and snacks. I wish I’d done that!

Event sounds very interesting, but wish that there was a way to print out the map of the Event Guide and Map. All my attempts including doing a Print Screen and then cropping to fit WORD result in details and wording that are too small to read. Maybe next year you could make the Map and Legend into a couple of sections that would print easier.

Please have your event where there aren’t any other major events going on. This was the opening weekend for the Cincinnati Pops, and it was more than challenging to find parking. It was very frustrating for those who attended the concert.

Any help for elderly handicapped couple?

Check out Last Call Trivia’s Mobile Blink Experience at BlinkTrivia.com

This is amazing. Who are the organizers behind Blink events? Are they going to other cities? I would love this in our region, DC area.

Does anyone know where the fiberglass pigs, pots, etc. were purchased from when ArtWorks did their program years ago??? They don’t have any record of what company made and supplied them for the artist. Any help would be appreciated!

Comments are closed.

IT'S BLINK WEEK!

Downtown cincinnati is excited to once again host blink , an internationally recognized light and art spectacular happening thursday, oct. 13, through sunday, oct. 16. nearly 2 million people are expected to attend the 4-day extravaganza, which will span 30 city blocks from findlay market, through downtown across the roebling bridge and into covington., check out the blink guide at visit cincy ., below, you can find helpful resources and events hosted throughout downtown during blink. contact us if you'd like something added or have questions about the weekend..

Architects of Air TIMISIEN Luminarium is coming to Ziegler Park thanks to Duke Energy as a part of  BLINK 2022 | Hours of Entry: 11am-11pm | Entry Fee: $15 for adults, $10 for children under age 10, and children under age 2 are free

Meet this year's BLINK Artists

The Frisch's Roller Rink returns to Court Street Plaza as part of BLINK! Daytime and nighttime skate sessions will be available | Entry Fee:  $5 includes admission and skate rental

Getting Around

Find the best zones to see BLINK artwork with the official BLINK Map

Driving Downtown? Here are the Road Closures you can expect to see, find the best place to park , or take the Metro    

Here are some helpful parking tips  

Business Resources

For business owners looking to be involved in BLINK, refer to the Merchant Checklist , courtesy of the OTR Chamber.

blinkcincinnati

Blink is back!

October 17 – 20, 2024 Cincinnati, Ohio

TorchBearer Nominations

The BLINK Parade is excited to open nominations for this year’s group of TorchBearers! Shout out someone in your life who shines bright through their work, service, creativity and care. To learn more and to make your nomination, click below.

HELP ILLUMINATE BLINK!

Your ArtsWave gift supports events like BLINK, plus concerts, exhibitions, artist commissions & more

MEET OUR ARTISTS! Over 80 projects by hundreds of artists will light up Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky this year. See who’s coming!

Relive Blink 2022

Immerse yourself in the vibrant visuals and captivating sounds that transformed over 30 city blocks into a spectacle experienced nowhere else.

Event Updates

September 19, 2023

BLINK™, Illuminated by ArtsWave, Calls for Artists to Illuminate Cincinnati Once Again in 2024

[image:1]Cincinnati, OH (September 19, 2023) - With the highly anticipated return of the public art spectacle slated for October 17-20, 2024, BLINK, I...

July 10, 2023

BLINK™, Illuminated by ArtsWave, Returns in 2024 to Light Up Cincinnati For Its Fourth Edition

After Unprecedented Success in 2022, Nation’s Largest Light, Art, and Projection Mapping Experience Returns With New Dates To Immerse Cincy Stre...

February 28, 2023

BLINK® Delivers $126M Direct Economic Impact for the Region

Cincinnati - February 28, 2023 - Earlier today, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, in partnership with AGAR, the Haile Foundation, Artworks, Cincy N...

November 16, 2022

Iconic Muralist Tristan Eaton Completes Largest Mural in Ohio for BLINK

Cincinnati, OH (November 16, 2022) - Multidisciplinary artist Tristan Eaton does not shy away from a big undertaking. The prolific artist has created ...

Follow @BlinkCincinnati

Shining a spotlight on: @taylorpilote.artist “In true homage to the automotive ethos, my practice is steeped in an authentic engagement with the c...

Monday, September 09th, 2024

Secret Walls returns to BLINK Cincinnati for The Art of Competition Tour powered by @monsterenergy Ultra & @posca_usa 👁️ ⏱️ Friday, October ...

Friday, September 06th, 2024

Just in: A first glimpse of this year’s BLINK zones 👁 Make Room for Wonder in… Findlay Market (OH) Over the Rhine (OH) Downtown (OH) The Banks...

Thursday, September 05th, 2024

Shining a spotlight on: @asha_ama “BLINK is a beacon of light in my hometown & it’s larger than life- a reflection of who I am & the work that I ...

Tuesday, September 03rd, 2024

Don’t miss out on event updates and information!

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BLINK Cincinnati

Oct. 17-20, 2024.

The Nation’s largest immersive art event, BLINK, lights up the Cincy Region for 4 days every other year. This engaging celebration of art and light is family friendly, free, and welcomes everyone to bask in its glow.

BLINK is for the people. By the artists.

BLINK is a celebration that nurtures community and connection through public art. This festival features over 80 interactive installations by dozens of international muralists, light installation and projection artists. These local, national, and international artists create a living, breathing event that you really have to see to believe. Spanning 30+ city blocks through the urban core of Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington and Newport, Kentucky, BLINK brings the region to life in unexpected ways.

See familiar murals, buildings, and other landmarks in a new light when they are suddenly animated and aglow. Organized into easily navigated zones, you’ll be able to journey through a zone, walk to and from zones (or take transportation like the streetcar) and traverse bridges to move between Covington, Newport, and Cincinnati to see all that BLINK has to offer.

Experience BLINK

Maps and Zones

As the event gets closer more information will be released on BLINK’s website including the installation map, details about any special installations and live entertainment that may be happening. Otherwise, each night will feature the same shows and art installations, which allows the freedom to pick the nights and zones that work best for you.

More information will also be released about pop-up markets as well as hospitality and food truck locations throughout the festival footprint.

Opening Parade

The BLINK parade is a cherished tradition that serves as the official kick-off to BLINK. This dazzling event illuminates the streets of Cincinnati with artists, arts institutions, and community coming together in a procession of light and art where the line between participant and spectator can become blurred. Illuminated costumes, puppets, sculptures, and props; human powered floats; music and performances all contribute to this celebration of light and art. Route and time information will be updated on BLINK’s website as we get closer to the event.

BLINK Parking and Transportation

An important step in preparing for BLINK is figuring out how you will get there. There will be street closings and crowds impacting traffic flow. Since BLINK is so walkable, plan to park your car and leave it where it is for the night.

The Connector Streetcar in Cincinnati is fare free every day and a great option for navigating to the event. 

TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) and Cincinnati’s Metro bus services are another great option for getting around during BLINK. The Southbank Shuttle runs a loop through Covington, Cincinnati, and Newport.

GEST Carts offer FREE transportation in a limited radius . Bring cash to tip your driver! Uber and Lyft also operate in the Cincy Region.

Park in Cincinnati with multiple garage and lot options . 

Park in Covington multiple garage or lot options , or metered parking on open streets.

Park in Newport at the Newport on the Levee garage , or metered parking on the street.

Start Planning Now

Now that you are a BLINK expert it's time to start planning your trip. Begin by booking your home base for all your BLINK adventures. Then check out some of our other exciting  arts and cultural experiences to see during the day.

Blink-Related Events

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BLINK at Findlay Market

• Findlay Market

Cincinnati’s biennial light festival, BLINK, is back! This dazzling event brings… Read More

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You can experience BLINK in a unique way this fall while riding along a BB Riverboat.

BLINK, the nation's largest light, art, and projection mapping experience, is returning to Cincinnati this fall.

Video above: Looking back at 2019 BLINK festival

There have been two widely popular BLINK festivals, so far — the last in 2019. Spanning more than 30 city blocks, Blink includes hundreds of art installations – the largest light, art and culture event of its kind in the nation.

So, what is BLINK exactly? It's an outdoor art phenomenon with 100 installations, including large-scale projection mappings, murals and interactive light sculptures and art. The city will literally be glowing — from luminous facades to twinkling alleyways.

BB Riverboats is offering a unique way to view the festival as you cruise down the downtown riverfront.

The cruise will offer drink specials, live music from one of their house bands and a front-row seat for the festival.

The cruise runs until Oct. 14 with boarding starting at 6 p.m. for the first ride and 8:30 p.m. for the second.

Tickets are $35 for adults and $26 for children.

The inaugural four-night BLINK event in 2017 saw the largest gathering of people ever in downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine. Organizers recruit local, national and international artists to partake in the massive citywide extravaganza.

This year's event will return under new leadership. Justin Brookhart has been named the executive director of BLINK Cincinnati. Brookhart has more than 15 years of working in the private sector and nonprofit group leadership experience in the arts and culture space and will lead the collaborative of producing partners including AGAR, ArtWorks, Brave Berlin, the Haile Foundation and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

BLINK Cincinnati FAQ: What it is, when it is and how to get around

CINCINNATI — Whew -- BLINK Cincinnati is finally back.

The interactive art and light festival, which first took Cincinnati’s collective breath away in 2017, kicked off its second edition Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Organizers -- the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, AGAR, Brave Berlin, ArtWorks, the Haile Foundation and new presenting sponsor ArtsWave -- expect BLINK to draw more than 1 million people. All the hype even crashed the festival website.

In case that happens again, we’ve got you covered. Here are the most frequently asked questions about BLINK.

What is BLINK Cincinnati? BLINK is a festival that features dozens of murals, light projections and interactive art installations. That’s the simplest explanation we can give you. Read a more detailed explanation here.

Related links:

• Map: Tour some of BLINK's light projection, art installation and stage locations
• Rumblin' on the Roebling: BLINK adds original soundtrack to iconic 'Singing Bridge'
• Fountain Square BLINK installation will make audience part of the show
• Map: Here's what you'll see and do at BLINK this year
• Traveling rainbow bridge celebrates LGBTQ Cincinnati for BLINK weekend

When is BLINK? Blink runs 7-11 p.m. through Sunday.

Where is BLINK? BLINK spans five different zones. The new "Covington Zone" begins at the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge and roughly follows Madison Avenue south to Pike and Seventh streets. The Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine, Downtown and The Banks zones encompass about 20 city blocks along the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar route. (Map: Here's what you'll see -- and do -- at BLINK in Cincy and Covington.)

Is it free? Yes, BLINK is largely free for all to enjoy. The only paid or ticketed installation is the Architects of Air luminarium, Dodecalis. The domed display of color, light and sound covers half a football field at Washington Park. For those who did not visit the original luminarium in 2017, think of it as an inflatable bounce house made of multiple rooms that change color based on the sunlight shining through its nearly translucent plastic walls. The whole experience is set to music, and it's wheelchair accessible.

Admission is $10, $5 for kids under 10, and free for kids under 2. Kids 16 and under must be with an adult. Bonus: You can visit it in the daytime, too -- it is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Sunday.

Related: Architects of Air luminarium transforms Washington Park into dome of color, light, sound

What streets are closed for BLINK? Short answer is: A LOT. Even the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic until the end of the BLINK festival, though pedestrian access will be maintained. Transportation reporter Pat LaFleur breaks down all the road and street closures here, with plenty of maps to show you where (and where not) to go.

Where can I park for BLINK? Be warned: City officials on both sides of the Ohio River are recommending that visitors to this year's BLINK art and light festival use public transit or carpool to the event.

Both Cincinnati Metro and the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky are offering additional park-and-ride options for visitors to BLINK, where they can park in a lot and then board a bus for transport to one of the festival's zones. I repeat: Read Pat’s breakdown of how to navigate BLINK -- the maps show some parking options, too.

Related: Navigating BLINK 2019: Officials urge visitors to carpool or take public transit

For those who find parking within OTR, Downtown or The Banks, the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar will also be running free for the duration of the festival. But remember, traffic may slow the streetcar. (That's what happened in 2017.)

(For what it’s worth, I also recommend a couple garages people tend to forget about: The garage in the 84.51 building at Fifth and Race streets; and the garage between Sycamore and West Cheapside streets. You can enter via either Seventh or Eighth streets.)

Follow the rest of WCPO's BLINK coverage here:

• These funky, geometric lights will stay suspended in Downtown even after BLINK is over
• Roebling Bridge to close for BLINK prep
• Covington BLINK mural honors Northern Kentucky philanthropist Ralph Haile
• Catch these sounds from WCPO Lounge Acts alumni while seeing BLINK
• Cincinnati artist Jonathan Lamb returns home to paint Elm Street BLINK mural
• Podcast: Everything you need to know about BLINK

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BLINK Cincinnati 2024

BLINK Cincinnati is the largest light, art and projection mapping event in the nation. The event returns in 2024.

Event Dates

From: Thursday, October 17, 2024 To: Sunday, October 20, 2024

Key Highlights

• Walking Tour
• 3,000 Participants
• Light Spectacular
• Live Entertainment
• Entertainment Areas

Plan Ahead!

Cincinnati hotels fill fast for gay events To get the best deals and save up to 70% Book your hotel well in advance!

BLINK Cincinnati is the largest light, art and projection mapping event in the nation.  Given its size and scale, it is typically held every 2 years in October. Visiting for the event? Most of the city’s gay bars are located close to the BLINK exhibitions in Downtown and towards the North Side . Stay at the  Lytle Park Hotel , rated “Superb” by guests, with a beautiful rooftop bar, modern gym and stylish rooms. The Event BLINK Cincinnati is a four-day event featuring large-scale projection mapping installations, murals, urban artscapes, media light and interactive art in Cincinnati, OH. The event takes place in downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, spanning more than 30 city blocks and crossing the historic John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge over the Ohio River. Attending BLINK is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Hours run from 7pm-11pm each night. There is no cost to attend Blink itself.  There are $10 Tickets to special art experiences at Washington Park as well as the usual parking, food, drinks and merchandise, etc. VIP tickets are also available. Future City Light Spectacular BLINK officially kicks off with the Future City Spectacular presented by Skyline Chili Parade just after sundown on the opening night of the event. Featuring more than 3,000 participants and groups from across the city and beyond, the parade will step from the corner of 8th and Vine streets in downtown Cincinnati. Stay close to the parade at The 21c Museum Hotel rated “Fabulous” by guests with stunning Art, unique room decoration and excellent location for enjoying the weekend events. The stunning and lighted floats, puppets, musicians, and performers will make their way down Vine Street, ending at West Freedom Way at The Banks. Walking Tour BLINK Is Best Experienced On Foot. Park The Car, Grab Friends And Family, And Use Our Suggested Self-Guided Walking Routes To Explore BLINK’s 30+ Blocks Of Light, Art, And Wonder. All Routes End In Our Hospitality Areas Where You Can Find Seating, Restrooms, Food And Beverage, Entertainment, VIP Tents And More. Stay close to the walking tours, downtown, at the Kinley Cincinnati , rated “Fabulous” by guests featuring chic and elegant rooms and highly-rated breakfasts. Hospitality & Entertainment Areas Hospitality Areas are available in the following BLINK ® Neighborhood Zones: Findlay Market, Downtown, The Banks, and Covington. At each of our Hospitality Areas, visitors can find live entertainment stages, VIP tents, official event merchandise, food/beverage, seating, and public restrooms. Hospitality Areas are open from 5pm-11pm each night. Live entertainment begins at 7pm. Logistics and Getting Around The previous event drew drew a crowd of more than 1 million people and this year’s event is going to be bigger. Blink is simply too large to be seen in one night.  Blink is massive and as a result there is simply too much to see even if you ran between locations to see everything in one night. Park and Ride Ohio – Metro on the Ohio side will have two designated park & ride locations for Blink: The Museum Center at Union Terminal ($4 charge to park) & Cincinnati State (Free to park).  Keep in mind that due to the crowds both of these lots will fill up fast Cincinnati Streetcar – The Cincinnati Streetcar will be free starting at 4pm on the following schedule during Blink.  Keep in mind it will be crowded – Thursday –  4 pm – midnight, Friday – 4 pm – 1:00 am, Saturday –  4 pm – 1:00 am, Sunday – 4 pm – 11:00 pm South-Bank Shuttle – The shuttle will run an alternate route due to the Roebling bridge being closed for the event.  The cost is $1 per ride. OGGO Roebling Bridge Shuttle – The Roebling Bridge connecting Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will be closed to car traffic during BLINK hours. It will be open to foot traffic and Oggo shuttle rides. Recommended Hotels in Cincinnati The following Cincinnati hotels are all within a short ride to the BLINK exhibitions: Kinley Cincinnati ,  21c Museum Hotel ,  The Lytle Park Hotel ,    XV Beacon Hotel

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Find the best hotel in Cincinnati Book now and Pay on arrival

Where we stay!

Lytle Park Hotel is our editors choice when we are in Cincinnati

Official Website

For further information and advice on BLINK Cincinnati visit The Website

Gay Map of CINCINNATI

210 West Fourteenth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

The rooms at the hotel are fitted with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom with a hairdryer and a shower. All rooms have a desk. An American breakfast is available each morning at Symphony Hotel & Restaurant.

311 Pike Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

At the hotel, all rooms are fitted with a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Continental and American breakfast options are available every morning at The Lytle Park Hotel, Autograph Collection offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking.

37 West 7th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

At the hotel, every room includes a wardrobe. At Kinley Cincinnati Downtown, a rooms are equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. With a fitness center, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel has family rooms.

609 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Each guest room at 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati features a flat-screen cable TV and a coffee machine. They are decorated with modern furnishings and have an private bathroom with free toiletries. Hotel offers nightly turn down service and has free Wi-Fi throughout & a fitness center

1407 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

This fully Air conditioned apartment is fitted with a living room with a flat-screen TV a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a breakfast bar. One bedroom with a queen bed and a bathroom with shower. Free private parking is possible on site

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

The spacious apartments includes a large kitchen with an island that opens up to a luxurious living area. The bathroom also provides plenty of space with the dual sink vanity and full bathtub. You’re also perfectly located for Cincinnati fun.

50 East Court Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Offers accommodations with a kitchen in Cincinnati. Guests staying at this apartment can use the free WiFi. The apartment comes with a living room with a TV, a fully equipped kitchen a bathroom with shower and one bedroom

116 West Fifteenth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Where all the fun & excitement is just a stone throw away. Kitchen is fully stocked with cookware & utensils. offering high-speed WiFi, SmartTV. 1 Free-Assigned OnSite Parking in a gated lot. Private entry & patio area. Free coffee + tea

643 Bakewell Street, Covington, Kentucky 41011

Rosie's is the perfect place stop off for a drink or two and shoot pool or play on the pinball machine Gay or straight, Rosie's is a solid choice.

901 Washington Avenue, Newport, Kentucky 41071

You will have to pace your self in this gay bar

The bartender places a sugar cube on a slotted spoon. One hand holds the spoon directly over a glass of fragrant absinthe, the other is used to poor ice-cold water over the sugar cube and into the glass, creating a cloudy, sweet-tasting concoction. Newport's own Crazy Fox legally serves up glasses of absinthe this way, and only this way. Absinthe is one of the main attractions

927 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, United States

Fun gay bar offering dragshows

222 West Twelfth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Operating under the "every-person" concept, this gay bar offer a wide range of beer and cocktail options that can satisfy anything your heart desires.

From lemonade infusions and boozy slushies to craft cocktails and various draft options 

1120 Walnut St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Gay Cabaret bar good friendly service make for a fun night out

619 Madison Avenue, Covington, Kentucky 41011

Neighborhood gay cocktail bar in the heart of Covington

4169 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45223

Good Judy's is a queer dive in Northside offering cocktails, mocktails, canned and bottled beverages.

celebrate queer culture through themed musical parties and weekly prformances by Drag and LGBTQIA+ entertainers!

4042 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45223

The gay lounge has state of the art video system and a music parlor with a baby grand piano under the gorgeous chandelier for entertaining the guest.

Tillie’s gem is the partially covered back patio with great floral arrangements

2401 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219

Everyone's favorite Home Base. Great place to make new friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

Pool Table, Giant Jenga, Pong Table ,Patio, new Touch Tunes Jukebox Tues Night Karaoke, plus TVs with the game on

835 Main Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Cocktails & dancing offered in gay nightspot with drag shows & TVs at the bar.

901 Race Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

gay owned and gay staffed neighborhood corner bar.

Offering a happy hour and a TouchTunes jukebox 

927 Race Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

The Birdcage is a LGBTQ upscale bar and lounge.

The premier destination for specialty cocktails, and entertainment!

21+ with valid ID.

Recommended Hotels in Cincinnati By Booking

Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com We have chosen hotels in Cincinnati that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars

Kinley Cincinnati 4 Star – Central Location

• 4 Star – Comfortable Family Rooms
• A short taxi ride to the gay bars
• Flat-screen TV, private bathroom
• Central location, family-friendly rooms, free WiFi, & fitness center for a comfortable stay.

21c Museum Hotel 4 Star, Luxury

• 4 Star, Artistic Modern Decor
• Close to the gay district
• Flat-screen TV, coffee machine
• Art-focused experience, modern decor, nightly turn down service, & well-equipped fitness center.

The Lytle Park Hotel 4 Star – Great Amenities

• 4 Star – Elegant Breakfast Options
• A short walk to the gay bars
• Flat-screen TV, American breakfast
• Stay for elegant breakfast options, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, & private parking.

Symphony Hotel 4 Star – Perfect Location

• 4 Star – American Breakfast
• Satellite TV, private bathroom
• Ideal for its perfect location, American breakfast options, & rooms with satellite TV.

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BLINK Cincinnati 2024: Map revealed for nation's largest immersive art and light event

BLINK Cincinnati has revealed its official zone map for the nation's largest immersive art and light event.

The festival will once again illuminate the city in October and organizers just revealed the official "zones" where all the art installations will dazzler festival-goers.

The four-day festival will feature more than 80 installations divided into six "zones" including the Findlay Market Zone, Over-the-Rhine Zone, Downtown Zone, Banks Zone, Covington Zone and for the first time, the Newport Zone.

The Findlay Market Zone will feature 15 new permanent murals and a fan-favorite installation "String Theory" which combines hundreds of glowing strings tied together to create a colorful web.

A couple streets away is the Over-the-Rhine Zone which will once again light up the iconic Music Gall with projection-mapping displays presented by AVextended, Chaske Haverkos, Susan Kosti, and Lightborne.

The downtown zone will cover Cincinnati’s business district, illuminating murals like the Cincinnatus and Toy Heritage mural.

Also returning is the Asianati Night Market.

Down at The Banks zone, there will be a stage featuring musicians each day along with the return of BLINK Cincinnati's nightly drone show and a first-of-its-kind installation creating a multi-color bridge of light spanning the Ohio River.

Across the river will be the Covington and Newport Zones where installations will light up Hotel Covington along with new sites including the Southgate/Thompson House and Newport on the Levee.

“With less than two months until BLINK lights up this year’s footprint, we are working tirelessly to finalize all the details that make this a can’t miss event, and this map is just a peek into what that world will look like," Justin Brookhart, Executive Director of BLINK said in a statement. "Since it spans so much of our urban core, the Zones function to help break the experience into more manageable pieces. We invite people to come to each, stay for a while and return the next day to see even more of what makes this event so special.”

BLINK said they will be working with Metro and TANK to provide free rides during the festival at 6 p.n. each day.

“BLINK is a one-of-a-kind event that highlights the incredible offerings of the Cincinnati region, and Metro is proud to be a part of it,” Brandy Jones, Metro’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer said in a statement. “Through all of the improvements made by the Reinventing Metro plan, connecting to BLINK by Park and Ride or other Metro services is efficient, reliable, and safe.”

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READ THE FULL STORY: BLINK Cincinnati 2024: Map revealed for nation's largest immersive art and light event

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Asianati Night Market

August 23, 4:24pm

The Asianati Night Market returns to BLINK, featuring a wide array of unique Asian street foods. This year, we're expanding the market to include not just food vendors but also Asian-owned businesses and artists in our immersive installation. Expect more family-friendly activities, games, snacks, and merch

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