Summer is in full swing and July in Cincy is jam-packed with exciting things to do! From Fourth of July fireworks to food festivals, concerts, sporting events, and more, check out this curated list of the best things to do in Cincinnati this July.
Free things to do this July in Cincy
Festival 513 (photo: Louis Rideout)
Independence Day Fireworks in Ault Park (7/4): Fireworks, food, live music, and more.
Cinema at Ziegler Park (Wednesdays): Free movie night in Ziegler Park. Pack a picnic and enjoy a night under the stars. Upcoming films: Top Gun (7/5), TBA (7/12), TBA (7/19)
Rockin’ the Roebling Concert Series (Thursdays) - Free concert series in Smale Riverfront Park in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. Don’t forget to explore the park's gardens, swings, and splash pad!
Festival 513 (7/21-7/22): Free two-day festival that highlights and celebrates the eclectic culture within the African American community.
DangerWheel (7/29): Epic adult downhill big wheel race that’s free and open to the public!
Art After Dark (7/28): Experience Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds for free after hours with docent tours, live music, cash bars, and food available for purchase.
Family-friendly things to do in July
Frisch’s Roller Rink - Bring the whole family to skate in the heart of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. The roller rink will also double as a pickleball court this summer! Food and drinks are available for purchase.
Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds (Daily through 10/15): Celebrate the legacy of Pablo Picasso and his landscape works that trace the tie between humanity to the natural world through art at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Monet: The Immersive Experience (Daily through 7/31): Experience the feeling of stepping directly into a Monet painting! Tickets available online.
July sporting events in Cincy
Florence Y'alls
Cincinnati Reds (6/30-7/2): The Reds go up against the San Diego Padres at Great American Ballpark.
Florence Y’alls (7/7): Cheer on the Y’alls as they fight off the Dark Side (New York Boulders) on Star Wars Night! Dress up in your Star Wars gear and take pictures with your favorite characters. There will also be a special auction, other giveaways, and fireworks!
Queen City 5k (7/22): Fun run 5K in support of Queen City Foundation's 50-year-plus history!
July festivals in Cincy
Cincinnati Music Festival (photo: Madison Schmidt)
Water Lantern Festival (7/8): Named one of the top Cultural Festivals by USA Today, create paper lanterns and prepare them to sail upon one of the park's surrounding lakes. This event is a great experience to share connections of hope, happiness, and healing with others in a peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy food trucks, live music, fun games, family-friendly activities, and more.
Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival (7/6-7/9): Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of The 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World for 2022, The Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival brings together stories that celebrate differences and honor shared humanity. Using cinema to build empathy, this film festival hopes to create experiences for filmmakers and audiences that expand beyond the screen into the outside world and into genuine human relationships.
McGing Irish Dancers at the Cincinnati Celtic Festival (photo: @mcgingdancers)
Guinness Celtic Festival ( 7/14-7/16) Celebrate Celtic Heritage with friends and family all weekend during the Guinness Cincinnati Celtic Festival.
Cincy Blues Fest (7/15): Named of Citybeat’s Best Music Festivals of 2022, bring the entire family for a free night of music from some of the world’s best-renowned blues artists.
Black Tech Week (7/18-7/20): Actor, writer, and producer Issa Rae headlines this exciting week of celebrating innovation, opportunities, and entrepreneurship.
Cincy Soul Fest (7/21-7/23): Free culinary festival celebrating African-American entrepreneurship and celebrating Black-owned restaurants in Cincy.
Cincinnati Music Festival (7/20-7/22): Cincinnati’s favorite urban music festival featuring R&B, hip-hop music, and more. This year’s schedule:
- Thursday, July 20 (50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Celebration): Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, and Rakim (performance venue: Andrew J. Brandy Music Center)
- Friday, July 21: Al Green, Jill Scott, Jodeci, Midnight Star, and Gerald Albright
- Saturday, July 22: Snoop Dogg, Babyface, P- Funk Connection, Avery Sunshine, and Norman Brown
- Saturday, July 22: Grand opening of Black Music Walk of Fame and Induction Ceremony
Find everything you need to know about this year’s Cincinnati Music Festival in our local's guide.
Foodie things to do this July in Cincinnati
Goetta nachos
Goettafest (7/27-7/30) - eat all the Goetta things in Cincy in Newport, Kentucky on the riverfront. Goettafest is a total celebration of this traditional German dish pronounced "get-uh." It’s often compared to breakfast sausage or scrapple and is a mixture of pork, beef, steel-cut (pinhead) oat, and seasonings, and delicious!
Cincinnati Burger Week (7/10-7/16): Get out and experience Cincy food culture during burger week! Cincinnati's favorite chefs and restaurants serve up their unique take on a burger for just $7. Plan ahead and try a new restaurant or an old favorite, check out the full lineup for Cincinnati Burger Week online or download their app.
July shopping events in Cincy
Burlington Antique Show (7/16): Shop over 200 vendors for all kinds of vintage treasures at one of the Midwest’s favorite antique shows.
The City Flea (7/22): From home decor to vintage finds, find something you love at Cincy’s monthly curated, urban flea market in Washington Park in Cincinnati.
MV Flea (7/23): eclectic flea market at Creative House of Art & Design, a super fun and welcoming creative emporium in Covington’s Mainstrasse Village.
Don’t miss our full Cincinnati events calendar for everything happening in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in the month of July. Start planning your Cincy adventure!
