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Cincinnati Music Fest, the biggest urban music festival in the nation, is set to kick off this July in downtown Cincinnati. For decades this historic festival has been bringing to town all-star lineups that transcend genre. Beyond the festival itself, the Cincy Region truly comes to life during Music Fest - from food truck and local art fairs to live pop-up performances across the city, and, of course, the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame's Induction Ceremony.

 

Ready to start planning your adventure? Here's your guide to making the absolute most of this iconic weekend. 

Cincinnati Music Festival (photo: Madison Schmidt)
Photo: Madison Schmidt

The Cincinnati Music Festival is back and better than ever

With its roots beginning in 1962, the Cincinnati Music Festival brings more than 80,000 visitors every year to the Cincy Region. This annual event is a true local tradition, with just about every blues, r & b, rap and soul legend you can think of gracing the stage - from Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and Gladys Knight, to Janet Jackson, Fantasia and Erykah Badu.

 

Presented by P&G, the 2025 Cincinnati Music Festival returns this year on July 24-26 with a spectacular Thursday night kickoff concert at the Andrew J Brady Center. The nostalgic lineup features some big throw-back hip hop legends, including Scarface, Goodie Mob, The Sugarhill Gang and Young MC. 

 

The Friday and Saturday night concerts are both held downtown at Paycor Stadium - that's right, home of the Cincinnati Bengals! This year's headliner act for Friday night will be the legendary Earth Wind & Fire, followed by a grand finale on Saturday with LL Cool J and Toni Braxton. 

 

Before the festival kicks off on Saturday, don’t miss a special ceremony to unveil the newest inductees to the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame at the Andrew J Brady Music Center. This star-studded (and FREE) annual event honors the MANY prolific artists that call Cincinnati and Southeast Ohio home. Just be sure to wear your best white outfit, as is tradition!

Get your CMF tickets now!

Cincinnati Music Festival 2018

The 2025 Cincinnati Music Festival schedule 

  • Thursday: July 24 at Andrew J. Brady Center: Scarface, Goodie Mob, The Sugarhill Gang, Furious Five and Young MC

  • Friday: July 25 at the Paycor Stadium: Earth Wind & Fire, Anthony Hamilton, Jazmine Sullivan, PJ Morton, The Zapp Band

  • Saturday, July 26 at Paycor Stadium: LL Cool J w/DJ Z-Trip, Toni Braxton, Lucky Daye, 11, The Bar-Kays, A Tribute to Frankie Beverly (featuring The TMF Band, Jubu and special guests appearances by Ronald Isley, Joe, After 7, Dave Hollister and Raheem Devaughn)

Tickets for the Cincinnati Music Festival are available online at cincinnatimusicfestival.com.

Meetings - Meet in Cincy - Diverse Meetings - Cincinnati's Diversity
During CMF weekend, Fountain Square is a true epicenter of free entertainment, fun, and vibes!

Don't Miss the Visit Cincy Marketplace on Fountain Square!

Visit Cincy Marketplace will be located at Fountain Square (7/24 - 7/27): Explore local and minority-owned shops, vendors, and artisans - plus FULL days of free entertainment! See below for a full schedule of events at Fountain Square and across the city all weekend long. 

Thursday, July 24:

  • 6-10 a.m. | Rickey Smiley Morning Show 
  • 7:30 p.m. | Cincinnati Music Festival – Celebration of Hip Hop: Scarface, Goodie Mob, The Sugarhill Gang, Furious Five and Young MC | Andrew Brady Center 

Friday, July 25: 

  • 6-10 a.m. – Rickey Smiley Morning Show | Fountain Square
  • 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Visit Cincy Marketplace Hours | Fountain Square
  • 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Queen City Turn Up with DJ | Fountain Square
  • Noon-1:15 p.m. | Smooth hour with Jazz Renaissance Band | Fountain Square
  • 2 p.m. | PTO Party | Revel OTR 
  • 3:30-8 p.m. | Between the Beats with DJ Nate the Great | Fountain Square
  • 4 p.m.-Midnight | Festival513 |  Freedom Way (near Paycor Stadium)
  • 5-6:30 p.m. | Feel Good Fridays featuring Yolo Band | Fountain Square
  • 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Live at Love Happy Hour with Ric Sexton| LoVe on Fourth (ticketed event) 
  • 6:30-8 p.m. | Back That Track Up Karaoke hosted by Tropicana and DJ | Fountain Square
  • 7:30 p.m. | Cincinnati Music Festival: Earth, Wind & Fire, Anthony Hamilton, Jazmine Sullivan, and The Zapp Band: A Tribute to King Records Legacy Featuring Dreion | Paycor Stadium
  • 8-9:15 p.m. | Headliner on Square: Syleena Johnson | Fountain Square
  • 9:15-11 p.m. | Encore After Dark with DJ Riq | Fountain Square

Saturday, July 26:

  • 11 a.m.-12 a.m. | Visit Cincy Marketplace Hours | Fountain Square
  • 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Queen City 5K | The Banks
  • 11-11:30 a.m. | Cincinnati Hustler featuring DJ Andy G. & Cincinnati Smooth Hustler Line Dancer | Fountain Square
  • 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Cincy’s Soundtrack with DJ Vader Mixx | Fountain Square
  • Noon | Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony | Andrew Brady Center 
  • 1-5 p.m. | All White Party Hosted by Larenz Tate | Contemporary Arts Center (ticketed event) 
  • 2-4 p.m. | From the D to the Nati: R&B Live - JHits Band | Fountain Square
  • 4-6 p.m. | Headliner on Square: Christopher Williams | Fountain Square
  • 4 p.m.- Midnight | Festival513 | Freedom Way (near Paycor Stadium)
  • 6-10 p.m.| Lando Old School Party / DJ Essential | Fountain Square
  • 7:30 p.m. | Cincinnati Music Festival:  LL Cool J with DJ Z-Trip, Lucky Daye, 112, The Bar-Kays, A Tribute to Frankie Beverly — The TMF Band (formerly Maze) ft. Jubu and special guest appearances by Ronald Isley, Joe, After 7, Dave Hollister, Raheem Devaughn — Toni Braxton | Paycor Stadium 
  • 10 p.m.-Midnight | Back to the Groove with Natural Progression Band | Fountain Square

Sunday, July 27:

  • 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. | Visit Cincy Marketplace Hours
  • 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Church Without Walls: Sunday Service (Guest Preacher: Rev. Julian Cook from Lincoln Heights Baptist Church; P. Ann Everson Price (MC); Council Scotty Johnson (closing prayer), choirs, praise dancers and more | Fountain Square
  • 1-3 p.m. | Tribute to Nikki Giovanni; Line Dance | Fountain Square
  • 3-4 p.m. | The Grown-Up Get Down with Lincoln Ware | Fountain Square
  • 4-5 p.m. | Headliner on Square: Michel’le | Fountain Square
  • 5-6:30 p.m. | The Mix that Moves the City featuring DJ  Rude | Fountain Square
  • 6-8 p.m. | Band: Last Call Live featuring Gemstone Band | Fountain Square
Black Music Walk of Fame
The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is a must-do attraction

Learn about Cincinnati’s rich musical history 

From launching the career of the “Godfather of Soul” James Brown to resurrecting the career of county music icon Hank Williams–and just about every musical genre in between–Cincy has a notably rich music history.  

 

While James Brown recorded many of his classic hits in Cincinnati on the King Records label, Cincy cannot claim him as an original son. However, his legendary and long-time backup band, The J.B.’s, are from the area. 

 

Some other musical icons claiming Cincy as their home include: Bootsy Collins, a key player–if not the top player–in the funk music scene that headed up Parliament Funkadelic for several years; The Isley Brothers, whose 1959 iconic song “Shout” and later “It’s Your Thing,” grew up in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood before settling in Blue Ash; 1920s legend Mamie Smith “The Queen of the Blues” who was the first black artist, male or female, to record a blues song with vocals, also claimed Cincy as her hometown. 

 

The best way to learn about Cincy's musical history is to visit the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. 

 

Celebrate Cincy’s music heritage at Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame

Founded in 2021 by Hamilton County, the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame debuted the following year recognizing the musical scene created by those black artists with ties to Hamilton County and Southeastern Ohio. 

 

Musical icons inducted into the fourth class of the Hall of Fame all have some connection to the iconic music scene in Cincinnati and will be announced this spring. Celebrate the induction of these historic artists at noon on Saturday, July 26 at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in The Banks district of downtown Cincinnati. All white attire is tradition. 

Cincinnati Bell Connector Streetcar
The Cincinnati Connector Streetcar is totally free and a breeze to use (photo: Cincinnati Connector)

Getting around downtown Cincinnati and parking for the Cincinnati Music Festival

Visiting the Cincy Region is a unique geographic experience. You can easily stay, eat, drink, explore and more in two different states! Separated by the Ohio River, the Cincy Region includes both Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Don't be afraid to venture across the river; there are multiple bridges, including the pedestrian-friendly Purple People Bridge and John R. Roebling Suspension Bridge.

 

Parking in downtown Cincinnati is not tricky. There are parking garages within walking distance of most places, including the Andrew J. Brady Music Center and at The Banks. These spacious parking garages are just a short walk to all of the action. Parking for the Paycor Stadium events follows the same parking rules used for game days of the Cincinnati Bengals. Concert go-ers can even park across the Ohio River in Kentucky and easily walk across the pedestrian (and iconic!) Roebling Bridge. Definitely don't miss your chance to take beautiful pictures from the bridge of both the Northern Kentucky and downtown Cincinnati skylines!

 

Hotels in downtown Cincy and Northern Kentucky are also offering parking for this event. Ridesharing with Uber or Lyft is always available–although rates could increase during the peak hours of this event. 

 

Hop on the Connector Streetcar (totally free!) to quickly get around downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine. The stop for Cincinnati Music Festival is #1, The Banks. 

Goettafest_Mascot
Goettafest is a don't-miss event in Cincy. Experience one of unique, staple foods in ALL forms!

Other things to do during Cincinnati Music Festival Weekend

  • Glier's Goettafest (7/24 - 7/27): Head across the Ohio River in Newport, Kentucky to experience one of the biggest food festivals in Cincy! Taste and sample your way through Goettafest, a celebration of goetta, one of Cincy's signature regional dishes. If you've never tried this unique pork and grain dish before, this is the perfect time to do so.
  • Festival513 (7/25 - 7/26): Located outside of the stadium all festival weekend, Festival513 is a free two-day event that highlights and celebrates the eclectic culture within the African American community. Enjoy food, drinks and art vendors. 
  • The 10th Annual Queen City 5K (7/26): Race through downtown Cincinnati while raising money for local kids in the Cincy Region.
  • Visit the Cincinnati Museum Center to view the Barbie: A Cultural Icon. The exhibition celebrates Barbie as a reflection of culture, featuring a priceless collection of over 300 artifacts from the 66-year history of Barbie, including the very first 1959 doll, an original Barbie™ Dreamhouse, behind the scenes prototypes, as well as some of the most infamous Barbie dolls throughout history. 
  • Catch the Cincinnati Reds at home as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays (7/25 - 7/27): Stick around on Friday for a fireworks show!

 

Check out our full events calendar to see everything happening during the weekend of the Cincinnati Music Festival.

Three people at the bar at Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar. A man chats while two women sniff and sip bourbon.
Visit Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar in Covington to sample some of Kentucky's finest (photo: Patrick McNamara)

Take a tour of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and learn about the Cincy Region's prohibition and brewing history. Taste Cincinnati’s rich food culture with a delicious food and beverage tour. Art lovers will enjoy creating their walking mural tour for a glimpse of colorful paintings around the region. Discover real Kentucky bourbon on the B-Line in Northern Kentucky.  

 

Don’t miss this fabulous weekend of great music, great entertainment, and so much more. See you there!