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BLINK Cincinnati 2026
BLINK Cincinnati is the largest light, art and projection mapping event in the nation. The event returns in 2026.
BLINK Cincinnati 2026
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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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
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Satellite TV, private bathroom
- Ideal for its perfect location, American breakfast options, & rooms with satellite TV.
Video Of BLINK Cincinnati
BLINK Illuminated by ArtsWave 2019 Event Sizzle Reel
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