BLINK is one of my favorite events in Cincinnati, Ohio and I’m so excited that BLINK is back in Cincinnati in 2024!
This a great time for locals and tourists to experience art unconventionally.
BLINK also gives locals and tourists an excuse to explore and wander in parts of downtown Cincinnati and Covington, KY that they may not have visited otherwise.
This is the Nation’s largest immersive art event drawing over 2 million attendees.
This article contains affiliate links.
I’m sharing tips to help you make the most of your experience attending BLINK Cincinnati.
What is BLINK Cincinnati?
BLINK Cincinnati consists of over 80 projects by hundreds of artists in downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
BLINK has incredible large-scale projection mappings, murals, and interactive light sculptures from artists worldwide over 35+ city blocks in Cincinnati and Northern KY.
1. Plan Ahead for BLINK Cincinnati
You’ll want to plan ahead to make the most of your time at BLINK Cincinnati.
If you are traveling from out of town you’ll want to book a hotel in downtown Cincinnati or Northern KY in advance.
When is BLINK Cincinnati?
BLINK Cincinnati is October 17-20, 2024. (BLINK takes place every other year.)
What Time Does BLINK Cincinnati Start?
BLINK Cincinnati starts at 7 PM and goes until 11 PM.
Are There Admission Tickets for BLINK Cincinnati?
BLINK Cincinnati is free and open to the public, and no admission ticket is needed.
2. Pick a Few MUST See BLINK Installations Ahead of Time
Realistically you’re going to need more than one night to see everything.
If you only have one night to attend BLINK try to get downtown early.
Check the BLINK interactive map and social media ahead of time for must-see highlights and times for the drone show.
Where is BLINK Cincinnati Located?
BLINK Cincinnati is located in 35+ city blocks in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
There are 6 zones for BLINK
*BLINK at Lytle Park has 3 installations at the Taft Museum of Art.
- Findlay Market Zone
- Over the Rhine Zone
- Downtown Zone
- The Banks Zone
- Covington Zone (KY)
- Newport Zone (KY)
Download and print the BLINK event map. Focus on 1-2 sections on the map each night.
There are suggested walking routes to help break the event into smaller sections.
You can download the individual zone maps here.
- Liberty Market, Race St. – 1.2 miles
- Liberty St. & Pleasant St. – 1.2 miles
- Central Parkway & Walnut Street – 1.2 miles
- Freedom Center, Northside – 1 mile
- Third Street & Court Street – 1.2 miles
- Newport on the Levee – 1.5 miles
Check out the schedule for the BLINK parade, live entertainment, and drone show times.
*Drone show times are at 8 PM and 10 PM nightly.
Where is the BLINK Cincinnati Drone Show?
You can see the drone show from both sides of the Ohio River.
Covington, Kentucky has a drone show viewing area by the Roebling Bridge with great views of the Cincinnati skyline.
3. Save on BLINK Parking and Ride Downtown for FREE
Metro and Tank offer fare-free rides beginning at 6 PM on October 17-20, 2024. All rides on both transportation networks, including direct routes to BLINK are free.
Direct routes to BLINK are available from park-and-ride locations. These Park and Ride locations will drop attendees off at the Riverfront Transit Center for Metro and TANK.
Get the full details here.
TANK will also serve the Riverfront Transit Center for Metro and TANK.
Park and Rides locations:
- Cincinnati State – 3658 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH
- Crossroads Oakley – 3500 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH
- Meijer – 3651 Towne Blvd., Middletown, OH
- Meijer – 7390 Tylersville Rd., West Chester. OH
- Northern Kentucky University – 1 Louie B. Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY, 41099 (Fri. & Sat. only) is An active person
The Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar is also free and connects several parts of downtown Cincinnati including the Banks and Over the Rhine.
Rideshare is also a great option for going downtown.
You can reserve parking ahead of time at the zone of your choice for an additional fee.
4. Prepare for a LOT of Walking and Crowds
Wear comfortable shoes because you will do a LOT of walking. Check the weather before you go and pack your patience.
Bring a backpack with snacks and drinks if you’re attending with younger kids.
If you aren’t a fan of big crowds the art installations at BLINK are spread throughout the city. You can still enjoy the experience in less high-traffic areas.
Check the map for murals and art that aren’t in high-traffic areas.
It’s fun to wear anything that makes you light up. You can save on glow necklaces, glow bracelets, etc by purchasing them in advance.
5. Eat or Drink Local While Attending BLINK
Support a local “new to you” restaurant or bar while exploring. There are many great places to eat and drink throughout downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
This is a great way to support local businesses in our community while enjoying BLINK.
More Places to Visit Around Cincinnati, OH
Looking for more things to do during your visit to Cincinnati? Check out my article on the best hidden gems and unique things to do around Cincinnati.
Save on Your Hotel Stay in Downtown Cincinnati or Covington
You can stay on your hotel stay by comparing rates and booking through the interactive map above.
