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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 (since 1958, in fact) 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. Get ready to see Cincy at its best!

A crowd at Cincinnati Music Festival enjoys the entertainment.
Photo: Patrick McNamara
Bootsy and Patti Collins onstage
Photo: Patrick McNamara

The Cincinnati Music Festival is back and better than ever

With its roots beginning in 1962 (although the festival itself began in nearby Indiana in 1958), 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. You'll hear locals and longtime attendees refer to it commonly as "Jazz Fest". 

 

The festival is held in the heart of downtown Cincinnati at Paycor Stadium - that's right, home of the Cincinnati Bengals!

 

Presented by P&G, the 2026 Cincinnati Music Festival returns this year on July 23 - 25, kicking off with a new and reimagined Thursday night "block party". The lineup features hip hop legends Talib Kweli and DJ Spinderella, as well as Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame inductee, Hi-Tek, and local favorite, DJ Vader. 

 

This year's headliner act for Friday night will be the legendary Charlie Wilson, followed by a grand finale on Saturday with Mary J. Blige. 

 

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
A large audience at Cincinnati Music Festival
Photo: Patrick McNamara

The 2026 Cincinnati Music Festival schedule (all events at Paycor Stadium)

  • Thursday, July 23: Talib Kweli, DJ Spinderella, Hi-Tek, DJ Vader

  • Friday, July 24: Charlie Wilson, Tyrese, Ledisi, 803 Fresh and special guest, Nelly

  • Saturday, July 25: Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, SWV, Doug E. Fresh x Slick Rick, Heatwave

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!
Black Music Walk of Fame
The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is a must-do attraction
Bootsy Collins on the red carpet at the Cincinnati 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 rich music history that may surprise you. 

 

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. This attraction is free every day of the year and free to the public. 

 

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 each class of the Hall of Fame all have some connection to the iconic music scene in Cincinnati and are announced each spring. Celebrate the induction of these historic artists at noon on Saturday, July 25 at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in The Banks district of downtown Cincinnati. All white attire is tradition. Entry is free, with seats being offered first-come-first-served. Get there early, this event always reaches capacity!

MAO - Connector
The Cincinnati Connector Streetcar is totally free and a breeze to use (photo: Morgan Angelique Owens)

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

Looking for some other local events to experience during the day? We've got you covered. 

  • Glier's Goettafest (7/23 - 7/26): Head across the Ohio River to 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. You can even buy a roll to bring home from a goetta vending machine. 
  • Festival513 (7/24 - 7/25): 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 (7/25): Race through downtown Cincinnati while raising money for local kids in the Cincy Region.
  • LEGO® Jurassic World: The Exhibition: Experience a unique exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center, built entirely out of legos!

 

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!