Cincinnati Music Festival 

The biggest urban music festival in the nation

The Cincinnati Music Festival has been an iconic event in Cincinnati's history, featuring dazzling lineups and drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees. Originally called the "Ohio Valley Jazz Festival", this weekend-long event began in 1962 and has featured legendary headliners such as Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, and Erykah Badu. This festival has a long history of bringing top artists together, creating a celebration of music and culture. 

Cincinnati Music Festival Events

Vibe Marketplace Jul 24
  • Recurring daily

For years, Cincinnati has been singing and celebrating with some of music’s biggest acts during the Cincinnati Music Festival. It doesn't end there, make sure to stop by downtown Cincinnati's Fountain Square for the Vibe Marketplace presented by Visit Cincy to elevate your…

Cincinnati Music Festival Jul 24

Enjoy an electrifying combination of R&B, Hip-Hop, Soul and Jazz at one of the largest music festivals in the United States, The Cincinnati Music Festival (CMF)! CMF, presented by P&G, returns to Paycor Stadium this summer with an exciting lineup of R&B music…

Festival513 Jul 25

Experience the ultimate prelude to the Cincinnati Music Festival (CMF) at Festival513, one of the city's premier merchant festivals! Now in its 18th year, Festival513 is a free two-day festival that highlights and celebrates the eclectic culture within the African American…

Family Culture

How to explore The Banks in Cincinnati like a local

  • 7 minute read

If you want to understand The Banks in downtown Cincinnati, you first have to take a little trip back in time. While the development of this district is a new part of the Cincy Region’s history, the banks of the Ohio River are…

The best local small venues for live music

  • 5 minute read

Credit: Southgate House Revival If you're anything like me, life doesn't get much better than being shoulder-to-shoulder with complete strangers, mutually enjoying some live music at a local show. Lucky for me (and you!)…