Are you planning on visiting the Cincy Region in 2025? If not - it's time to consider it! Check out what new events, attractions, exhibits and more are scheduled to land this year in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. 

Special anniversaries

The year 2025 is not just a quarter of the century - it also marks some big milestones in the Cincy Region!

 

Cincinnati Zoo Zoo Blooms Tulips
Celebrate the 150th anniversary at the Cincinnati Zoo! (photo: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden)

150th anniversary of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Opened September 18, 1875 (making it the second oldest zoo in America), 2025 will mark 150 years of operation at the beloved Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. ​ Also coming this year will be a brand new North America Habitat, featuring Bear Ridge and Sea Otter Coasts exhibits. 

 

100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby

Originally published in 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald, you might be asking yourself what does this iconic book have to do with the Cincy Region? The character of Jay Gatsby is loosely based on George Remus, an infamous bootlegger who reigned supreme in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. History and book lovers can commemorate this 100 year literary milestone with a Newport Gangster Tour, covering the history of Newport, Kentucky, considered by many to be the original Las Vegas. Learn about gamblers and mobsters, like George Remus, who created the very first "sin city", luring in famous names like Frank Sinatra as well as organized crime activity. 

 

20th anniversary of the American Sign Museum

Wander through a retro American Main Street, full of glowing neon signs and historic storefronts in the nation's largest public sign museum. After undergoing a 20,000 square-foot-renovation in 2024, the ASM is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025. New to this year, museum visitors can attend neon demonstrations,

 

20th anniversary of the Rosemary Clooney House museum

Located in quaint Augusta, Kentucky, the Rosemary Clooney House celebrates the life of Rosemary Clooney, small-town girl turned celebrated "girl singer" and beloved Hollywood star. Explore the house she called home for over twenty years, enjoying exhibits dedicated to her movies, songs, concerts and television appearances - as well as many of her personal belongings. 

An airplane suspended in front of the gate to departures at CVG - the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky airport
Departures at CVG Airport (photo: Laura Barfield)

New developments

CVG Flights

In 2025 travelers can now get to and from Cincinnati (CVG) via these new direct flight options: 

  • Austin, Texas (AUS) via Frontier Airlines, starting on March 7
  • Portland, Maine (PDX)  via Allegiant Air, starting in May
  • Montreal (YUL) via Air Canada, starting daily service on May 22

Chef Jose Salazar reopening Salazar 

James Beard Award favorite Jose Salazar is reopening his eponymous restaurant, Salazar, in Spring of 2025 in the $30 million Paycor headquarters near Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati. 

 

Big Bone Lick State Park to Become National Historic Landmark

Big Bone Lick in Northern Kentucky - a state park and historic site - recently became one of 19 new National Historic Landmarks. The park, named for its prehistoric salt springs, features hiking, camping, a recreated Pleistocene marsh, 20,000-year-old fossils and an actual herd of bison. The park also has a paleontology museum. 

 

America's River Roots Festival (October 9 - 12)

America's River Roots, a celebration of musical and cultural celebration, is scheduled for 2025 to kick off America's 250th anniversary. In a nod to the steamboat golden age, attendees can cruise aboard 1800's-style riverboats from Nashville, Louisville, New Orleans and more while reveling in the rich heritage of this unique destination. The fest will include: 

  • A River Roots Gospel Revival 
  • Inspiring programs at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
  • Tastings from top Kentucky bourbon distillers and Ohio beer brewers
  • Demos from celebrity chefs
  • A market of regional food artisans on the Purple People Bridge
  • Performances on both sides of the river by renowned and up-and-coming musicians, including Grammy-winning rockers (and Cincinnati natives) The National 
  • The interactive, 110-foot-long "Moving Chains" kinetic sculpture, which debuted in New York City
A red paddlewheel on a red and white boat. Steam and mist churn up around the wheel.
Riverboat paddle wheel (photo: BB Riverboats)

The American Manifest - Expected in June

By Charles Gaines, one of the foremost conceptual artists of the 21st century, "Moving Chains" is one of the exhibit's three works. Designed for Governor's Island in Manhattan and The Banks of Cincinnati Ohio due to the roles these rivers played in the transatlantic slave trade, the exhibit confronts and explores complex themes like American capitalism and Manifest Destiny. 

  • The project consists of "Moving Chains," a massive outdoor art installation making its way to Cincinnati in summer 2025; a second installation, "Roots," coming to the Cincinnati Art Museum; and an original musical composition, "Manifestos Four," to be performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
  • "Moving Chains" is a monumental, 110-foot-long kinetic sculpture that evokes the hull of a ship, with nine massive chains in motion overhead as visitors walk through. It will sit on the banks of the Ohio River, and passerby will be able to enter the structure from the riverside to experience the sights and sounds of its rumbling metal. For more information, check out this video

Children's Theatre of Cincinnati opens in Emery Theater 

Two historic theaters will make new history this year, with the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati (opened in 1919 and the oldest in the country) moving into the Emery Theater (opened in 1911). This $51 million restoration project will enable the company to expand its annual production schedule beyond the 40 days currently available with their existing venue. The first production in the new space will take place in 2025. 

 

Sundance Film Festival Finalist

The Cincy Region is a top 3 finalist to begin hosting the Sundance Film Festival in 2027. The premiere showcase for independent films and filmmakers from around the world will announce its decision between Cincinnati, Ohio; Boulder, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah early in 2025. 

 

Best Restaurants

Three Cincinnati restaurants have been named the best in America!

  • The New York Times named Mediterranean-inspired The Aperture as one of the 50 Best New Restaurants in the nation
  • The New York Times named Japanese-American Cafe Mochiko as one of the 22 Best Bakeries
  • Esquire named Wildweed one of the Best New Restaurants in America

Wildweed
Fresh, creative takes on pasta at Wildweed (photo: Eileen Osborne)

Sports

FIFA Club World Cup Matches (June 2025)

TQL Stadium, home of FC Cincinnati, will host four Group Stage matches in 2025:

  • June 15 at 12 p.m., FC Bayern Munchen (GER) vs. Auckland City FC (NZL)
  • June 18 at 6 p.m., CF Pachuca (MEX) vs. FC Salzburg (AUT)
  • June 21 at 12 p.m., Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs. Borussia Dortmund (GER)
  • June 25 at 3 p.m., Borussia Dortmund (GER) vs. Usland HD (KOR)

Florence Y'alls

The Florence Y'alls will play the social media-famous Savannah Bananas at Great American Ball Park on June 13 and 14th. 

 

Cincinnati Open Expands (Aug. 5 - 18)

The Cincinnati Open, one of the longest running tennis tournaments in the U.S., will expand to two weeks beginning in 2025, with a field of 96 players and 31 courts. New features and accommodations will include a permanent fan plaza shaded by an expansive canopy (a perfect gathering spot for spectators!), a 2,000-seat sunken stadium and a sleek, continuous facade that will wrap both Center Court and Grandstand Court.

Pinocchio statue at Cincinnati Art Museum (photo: CincinnatiUSA.com)
The Cincinnati Art Museum (photo: CAM)

Museum Exhibits

Cincinnati Art Museum 

 

Cincinnati Museum Center

 

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

 

Taft Museum of Art

  • Mystery & Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art (Feb. 1 - May 11, 2025) - Brings to light the histories, symbolism and beliefs of the Freemasons and the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows (IOOF) - two fraternal organizations with deep roots in American history.
  • J.M.W. Turner and the Art of Watercolor (March 1 - June 15, 2025) - Celebrate the 250th anniversary of J.M.W. Turner's birth by viewing 12 of his watercolors. The first exhibition in nearly 40 years to bring together the two museums' Turner watercolors.
  • The Crafter World of Wharton Esherick (June 7 - September 7, 2025) - Best known as the father of the studio furniture movement. This exhibition draws on WEM's rarely loaned collection, which includes woodcut illustrations, sculpture and furniture.  

A man in a cowboy hat looks past the camera. He's holding a guitar and is leaning against a pillar.
Nat Myers, headliner for Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival (photo: Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival)

Concerts

  • February 9: Dancing with the Stars: LIVE! at Andrew J Brady Center
  • March 8: Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival with headliners Nat Myers, Lindsay Lou and the Brothers Comatose
  • April 10: Dylan Scott: Country Till I Die at Andrew J Brady Center
  • May 9: Warren Zeiders: The Relapse Tour at MegaCorp Pavilion
  • May 21: Billy Idol with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts: It's a Nice Day to Tour Again! at Riverbend Music Center
  • May 30: Riley Green: Damn Country Music Tour at Andrew J. Brady Center
  • June 8: Avril Lavigne: Greatest Hits Tour at Riverbend Music Center
  • June 23: James Taylor at Riverbend Music Center
  • June 26: Keith Urban: High and Alive Tour at Riverbend Music Center
  • July 24 - 26: Cincinnati Music Festival
    • Thursday, July 24 (Andrew J Brady Center): A Tribute to Hip Hop Music, artists TBA
    • Friday, July 25 (PayCor Stadium): Earth, Wind & Fire, Anthony Hamilton and more TBA
    • Saturday, July 26 (PayCor Stadium): Janet Jackson, a Special Tribute to Frankie Beverly, featuring Jubu with special guest appearances by Ronald Isley, Joe, After 7, Dave Hollister and Raheem DeVaughn and more TBA
  • August 7 - 10: Voice of America Country Music, with Hardy, Bailey Zuckerman and Darius Rucker in West Chester, Ohio
  • August 10: Nelly: Where the Party At tour at Riverbend Music Center
  • August 15: Thomas Rhett: Better in Boots tour at Riverbend Music Center
  • September 16: "Weird Al" Yankovic: Bigger and Weirder 2025 Tour at MegaCorp Pavilion
  • September 20: Billie Joel and Rod Stewart at PayCor Stadium
  • October 3: Tyler Childers: On the Road tour at Riverbend Music Center

 

To help inspire your trip to the Cincy Region, check out our full Calendar of Events!