For the fourth year since the inaugural event in 2017, Blink Cincinnati returns to light the night in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Here’s what you need to know about this sprawling nighttime festival.
What is Blink Cincinnati?
If you’ve never been to Blink, it is a little hard to describe, but here goes: For four nights, sites throughout downtown Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine, and Northern Kentucky play host to a celebration of light and art. Gigantic projections transform dozens of the city’s many murals. Interactive installations have you walking through illuminated arches and over responsive glowing digital lily pads. Drones put on a light show over the river. And your goal as an attendee is to see as much of it as possible before your feet fall off from all the walking. Organizers describe it as the nation’s largest immersive art event.
When is Blink Cincinnati?
Blink lights up the city every two years. This year’s event will take place October 17-20, 2024.
Where is Blink Cincinnati?
Exhibits, light projections, live music and more will take over both sides of the river in six designated zones spanning more than 30 city blocks. Findlay Market, OTR, Downtown, and The Banks are the zones on the Ohio side of the river. In Kentucky, Newport and Covington will also have zones filled with illuminated art.
Will there be a Blink parade again?
Yes! The Blink illuminated costume parade will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, October 17. The parade route was not finalized at the time of posting, but it’s a pretty good bet it will pass by Fountain Square.
How can I see the best exhibits at Blink?
This year, Blink has created suggested walking routes through each of the festival’s six zones, so you can take in the highlights. Get the map from the Blink website.
Exhibits change from year to year, but a few perennial standouts are listed on the schedule. Here are a few to check out:
- The Cincinnatus Experience, Central Parkway and Vine Street
- Washington Park installations and The Music Hall Experience, 14th and Elm streets
- Installations at The Banks Zone, Mehring Way between Main and Elm streets (Pro tip: Find the altafiber booth at The Banks and enter to win Bengals tickets!)
- Supernova Light Bridge, Roebling Suspension Bridge
- Mystic Eye Drone Show (sponsored by altafiber!) with nightly performances at 8 and 10 p.m., view from Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati or Rivercenter Boulevard in Covington