Cincinnati Arts & Culture

Discover art and culture in the Cincy Region

Art is everywhere you turn in Cincy. Unearth hidden gems and unique experiences around every corner, from iconic Art Deco landmarks and the largest preserved Italianate architecture district in the country, to renowned art museums, public murals, and  BLINK, the world’s largest light and art festival. It’s all here - come experience Cincy’s unique art scene for yourself!

Classic institutions abound

Lovers of the live arts will find a variety of classic (and historic) art institutions in the Cincy Region, including the Cincinnati Opera, Symphony, Ballet and the Aronoff Center for the Arts.

The Cincinnati Opera is the second-oldest opera company in the country, after only New York. Housed in the beloved and iconic Cincinnati Music Hall, visitors can enjoy opera performances every June and July – accompanied by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Originally founded in 1958 with its first performance in 1964, the Cincinnati Ballet Company is a regional tradition like no other. From the Nutcracker every holiday season to classics like Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake – this world-renowned Ballet company is something you truly must experience in Cincy.   

Every season Broadway lovers can catch one of the biggest traveling shows at the Aronoff Center for the Arts. 

From art and history to the downright bizarre – there’s a museum for that in Cincy

A day at the museum is time well spent, and there’s something for everyone in the Cincy Region.

The Cincinnati Art Museum, nestled in beautiful Eden Park, was founded in 1881, making it one of the oldest in the country. Visitors can take advantage of free admission for all regular exhibits, which feature 73,000 works spanning 6,000 years. 

Take a walk on the modern side at the Contemporary Arts Center in downtown Cincinnati. The current building, designed by architect Zaha Hadid (the first woman to design a museum in the country at the time in 2003), is a stunning piece of art in and of itself. Peruse seven floors and 80,000 square feet of space of exhibits that will challenge and inspire. Families and visitors of all ages will enjoy the Creativity Center and unMuseum – an interactive opportunity to create your own art.

The Cincinnati Museum Center is one of the true crown jewels of the city. This stunning Art Deco landmark is home to not only a breathtaking rotunda and fully-functioning Amtrak train station – but a museum multiplex (Children's Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, Cincinnati History Museum and The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center).

The Taft Museum of Art is both a fantastic collection of art, as well as an architectural beauty and former home of the Taft family (yes – THAT Taft family!). The American Sign Museum in Camp Washington is a captivating experience featuring the largest neon sign collection in the country. Vent Haven in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky is either an unforgettable or eerie assortment of ventriloquist puppets. The Lucky Cat Museum in Walnut Hills is best described as a 'passion project' that features a personal hoard of THOUSANDS of adorable Maneki Neko lucky cats.

Public art on every corner

If you’ve never been here – prepare to find art on every street. Thanks to organizations like Artworks and ArtsWave, in 2024 Cincinnati was voted the #1 Best Street Art in USA Today. Both sides of the river are full of public art – from Clive the Alien in Covington to the largest contiguous mural in the state of Ohio in downtown Cincinnati – enjoy these incredible works of art for free.

Take a self-guided tour, or a free one hosted by ArtWorks, to really soak it all in.

Festivals and more

What are you into? We’ve got a festival for that.

The Cincy Region comes alive during Cincinnati Music Festival, the biggest entertainment weekend of the year since 1958. Star-studded lineups have included everyone from Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan to Janet Jackson and Snoop Dogg.

Every two years the entire Cincy Region is illuminated during Blink – the largest light and art festival in the world.

The Cincinnati May Festival is a longstanding tradition (longest continuously running choral festival in the western hemisphere!) that annually showcases world-renowned choral and theater performances. Cincinnati Fringe Festival is a community-led celebration of off-center and underground theater.

Summerfair, an annual art festival for more than 50 years, showcases 300+ artists. Visitors have been shopping and strolling their way through this historic festival since 1968.

For a complete list of all arts events, check out our calendar of events.

Stages of all sizes

Who are you catching on tour in Cincy? From huge, rocking stages scoring world tours like Riverbend Music Center and Paycor Stadium, to small, intimate venues like the Woodward Theater and Bogart’s – there’s live music happening somewhere in Cincy every night of the week.

Cincy’s local comedy scene has been noticeably growing over the last decade. For a classic comedy club feel, Go Bananas and Funny Bone Comedy Club play host to some of the larger headliners. Smaller clubs like the Commonwealth Sanctuary in Dayton, Kentucky and several bars (MOTR and The Comet) have regular open mic nights for up and comers.