BLINK Cincinnati 2023

BLINK Cincinnati 2023

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.

Trending Hotels in Cincinnati

The following Cincinnati hotels are currently trending with our readers. All are within a short ride to the BLINK exhibitions:

Kinley Cincinnati,  21c Museum Hotel,  The Lytle Park Hotel,   XV Beacon Hotel